New drones work wonders for shark sightings
Austinn Lane. A large bronze whaler shark was spotted at the recent Berry Bay Surf Jam on southern Yorke Peninsula, thanks to drone technology. South Australian Shark Watch founding director, Anton Covino took drones to the event to test their potential for monitoring shark activity.
Simplified crabbing rules proposed for West Coast bioregion
Public consultation is now open on proposed changes to blue swimmer crab rules in the West Coast bioregion to make the rules easier to understand and to provide better fishing experiences for recreational fishers. The proposed changes would bring in one set of bag and boat limit rules in the West Coast bioregion, which runs from Black Point east of Augusta to the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri.
Baby baboons at the Darling Downs Zoo!
The Darling Downs Zoo has welcomed four new baby baboons into its family in what is the country's first successful breeding program for the primate. The babies, ranging between 11 and 3 weeks old are still clinging tightly to mums.
Rushworth students build lifeline for wildlife after bushfires: Cleeland
Students at Rushworth P–12 College are helping restore wildlife habitat across fire-affected parts of northern Victoria, building more than 100 nesting boxes for native animals displaced by recent bushfires. Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP recently visited the school’s HOPE (Hands-On Practical Education) program to see the project underway and meet students working alongside volunteers from the Rushworth Field & Game Club.
Important Shark and Ray Area recognised around Lord Howe Island
Sharks and rays are among the most endangered groups of animals on the planet ... The marine parks around Lord Howe Island have now been recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area ... The waters here support feeding and reproduction for Galapagos sharks...
Ramping up call for action on shark mitigation
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright has ramped up calls for State Government action on shark control following the recent release of the International Shark Attack File, which confirmed that Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal shark attacks on humans in 2025. "Of 12 fatalities, nine were from Australia."
The use of specially trained animals by humans to solve various problems in Australia
In Australia, the use of animals to solve various human problems is neither increasing nor decreasing. This process is becoming more humane and effective. This change is driven by public opinion and advances in science and technology.
H5 bird flu on sub-Antarctic Heard Island update: Collins, Watt
Preliminary test results have confirmed H5 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in additional wildlife species on Australia’s sub-Antarctic external territory of Heard Island following confirmation in southern elephant seals in November 2025.
Could the world’s smallest possum be living on the Yorke Peninsula?: Adelaide University
A tiny, threatened marsupial not known to have inhabited South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula may exist as a relict population and still be clinging to survival, according to new research that has re-examined historical field data from one of the region’s most important conservation areas. In a study published in Australian Zoologist, researchers report compelling evidence that the Little Pygmy-Possum (Cercartetus lepidus) may exist in Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park...
Government delivers comprehensive plan to protect turtles: Watt, Powell
The Raine Island Recovery Project - completed in December 2025 - documented almost 20,000 turtles gathering in the ocean and almost 4,000 turtles coming onto the island at night to lay eggs. Raine Island is the world’s largest green turtle rookery and is the source of almost 90 per cent of the northern Great Barrier Reef green turtle population.Â
Top bird photos of the year
The Central Coast Group of Birding NSW has announced the winners of its 2025 Photographic Competition. "There were 70 photos entered in the competition from 22 photographers," spokesperson Allan Benson said. "The standard was very high but the winners were standouts."
Wild dogs threaten livestock in wake of bushfire damage: VFF
Victorian livestock producers in bushfire-ravaged parts of Victoria are reporting more wild dog attacks after devastating fires destroyed critical infrastructure such as exclusion fencing, leaving farm animals more vulnerable to attacks.
Wildlife warrior and reef champion earn citizenship recognition
Founder of Summer Spirit, Summer Adams, was named Highly Commended in the Young Citizen of the Year category for her remarkable commitment to wildlife conservation, community service and youth empowerment ... Scarlett Cheetham was nominated for Young Citizen of the Year, in recognition of her longstanding commitment to kindness, volunteering, and environmental and marine conservation initiatives.
Recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park? Government announcement with response from Vic Jurskis
The NSW Government has called for community input on recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park. Regular ARR.News commentator on koala issues, Vic Jurskis, responds and has some questions for the Environment Minister ... Where do koalas no longer exist in NSW? What is the evidence they existed there when Europeans arrived? What is the evidence they are no longer there? Do you intend to reintroduce them?
A medicated spa day for one lucky echidna
NR Wildlife Hospital. Thankfully, not every patient journey begins in crisis. A crowd favourite on our socials this month, this little echidna came in bright eyed and alert, but a little too smelly for our liking!
How many koalas are enough? Vic Jurskis
When koalas were declared as Endangered north of Victoria, the expert guesstimate of numbers in NSW was 36,350, a very precise and very wrong number. Now, two and a half years after effective surveys commenced in NSW, the estimate is 274,000, eight times higher. This is a less precise and more accurate number, but probably an underestimate. In any case it shows that NSW koalas are not endangered.
NSW koala baseline survey to drive conservation action: Sharpe
Using new tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders, scientists surveyed more than 1,000 locations across national parks, state forests and private land. The updated estimate of 274,000 koalas reflects improved technology and more extensive survey work.
Monster cod catch makes Cohuna fisherman a local hero
Gus van Hart. A young angler has landed the catch of a lifetime off the Cohuna pier, reeling in a metre-plus Murray cod that has kids around town asking him how to fish. Personal trainer Jye Hill, who recently turned 20, was only a few minutes into a session at the popular Cohuna spot when his rod suddenly came to life.
New national park at Vergemont: Powell
Negotiations to create a new western Queensland national park on Vergemont Station have been finalised ... The proposed 300,000-hectare national park ... will form part of a 1.5 million-hectare protected area corridor. ARR.News asked the department some further questions.
Destruction of nature for transmission infrastructure proves biodiversity offsets are nature negative: Higginson
Labor Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe are facing criticism from multiple sides of politics over their handling of the Central West Orana REZ following revelations that scores of native vegetation had been cleared to make way for a renewable energy project. An estimated 670 trees have been cleared, including critically endangered hollow bearing trees which make up habitat for koalas, glossy black cockatoos, little eagles, squirrel gliders and eastern pygmy possums.
Australia’s first River Repair Boat set to launch in Ballina: OzFish
OzFish, Australia’s only fish habitat restoration charity, is set to launch the nation’s first dedicated River Repair Boat at a special public event at Faulks Reserve Boat Ramp, Ballina, at 3 pm on Friday, 5 December 2025.
Council vote in support of: timber industry employees
A Notice of Motion (NoM) put forward by Clarence Valley Councillor Allison Bryant last week which called for the local government body to formally oppose the Minns Government’s September 7 announcement to end native forest harvesting and establish the Great Koala National Park during the Monthly Ordinary Meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) was carried 7-2.
