A monthly Magazine Issue 10 January 2013

Australian WILDLIFE NEWS

HUNTING TO BEGIN IN 79 NSW

NATIONAL PARKS

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Welcome to issue 10 and Happy New Year to you all.I have to say that the Facebook page has really taken off and I want to thank everyone who has become a part of what we are trying to achieve. I’ve been meeting some wonderful people since we started the FB page, people from all over the world who all care about their wildlife.

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of time out and about taking pictures of birds over the last couple of months. I recently got a 14 ft open canoe and an electric motor. This makes getting shots of water birds so much easier and I can get closer without disturbing them.

HUNTING IN NSW NATIONAL PARKS

As per my front page, NSW is going to allow shooting in 79 of its’ National Parks as of March 2013. You still can’t have a dog on a leash but you can take a rifle!

The recently passed bill has been criticised as being a deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party to get support for a bill privatising the state's electricity generators, although the Premier had earlier promised not

to introduce hunting into National Parks. (ABC SE NSW article).

The first NSW National Parks to be opened for hunting will likely include South East Forests, Wadbilliga, and Kosciuszko National Parks (excluding ski fields). Only hunters accredited by Game Council NSW will be permitted, and they must register their hunts in advance and adhere to regulations. Opponents say those requirements mean nothing as there is very little policing of hunting in public land. Greens MLC David Shoebridge says Game Council NSW confirmed to the NSW Parliament that it employs only 4.2 full time equivalent staff to police the hunting already allowed in State Forests across NSW. A fierce critic of hunting in public forests and National Parks, Greens MLC David Shoebridge, points out that the two Shooters and Fishers Party members currently in the NSW Parliament are former Chairs of the Game Council.He told Parliament, "For the first time ever shooters will be allowed - amateur shooters, weekend cowboys who are out for nothing other than blood sports - to take their high-powered hunting rifles into national parks and mix amateur hunting, cheek by jowl, with those other users of national parks - the bushwalkers, the picnickers and the hikers - as well as rangers and other national park employees."Many public forests will never see a Game Council inspector and hunters are subject to licence conditions that are hardly worth the paper they are written on."The RSPCA 'is opposed to recreational hunting because of the cruelty involved and believes allowing hunters into our national parks will be detrimental, not only to animal welfare, but to the ongoing management of pest animals and to

the safety of individuals who access these treasured havens that are home to our native wildlife.'Public Service Association of NSW says it is 'outraged at the backflip and lies by the O'Farrell government with regards to recreational hunting in parks.And the National Parks Association, sharing concern for park staff and visitors, highlights that ' this decision was a deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party so that they would support the government's electricity privatisation bill. It is not about conservation'.During the recent school holidays a horrified family were confronted by a group of hunters driving into a camping ground in a south east National Park randomly shooting kangaroos. In front of the distressed family camped in the remote but popular National Park they shot a number of kangaroos and loaded some onto a vehicle before driving off, leaving dead and maimed animals behind.To oppose this new legislation you can find out more information at www.nohunting.wildwalks.com Don’t we already have enough issues in the world with guns? There has already been a fatality in NZ in a National Park where a hiker was mistaken for a deer. I own a rifle. I am not anti gun but there’s a place for shooting and it’s called the rifle range. We don’t need to shoot wildlife to have fun and we do not need to be discouraging people from enjoying National Parks and the wildlife that lives there.

Until next issue, take care.Claire, Editor

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Claire Smith Photography

NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER may sound strange but when you look at the reasoning behind it the name makes a great deal of sense. Although this is not a recognised disorder, some people believe that we are becoming so far removed from our natural world and its’ inhabitants, that we are becoming detached from nature and this is one of the reasons why there’s a serious lack of understanding and knowledge when it comes to the general public’s support for conservation and protection of species.

Children today spend less time out of doors playing than any other time in recorded history. When I was a child we were outdoors as much as we could be, no one wanted to stay in the house. We were either playing in a park, out on bikes, making tree swings or dens and we were surrounded by nature. Now, it seems, a lot of children are spending a lot of time in virtual worlds via computer games. This isn’t just applicable to children either. How many internet or computer ‘gamers’ do you think there are? Statistics show that it is anywhere between 100-300 million. The population of the USA is approx. 300 million - now those statistics start to look pretty scary.

What is this going to mean for the future of our planet, it’s wildlife and habitat? At a time when we are really more educated and aware of what we need to do and stop doing to protect the environment are we really encouraging people to take a look outside their window and get aquainted with the natural world. When we experience nature, and wildlife particularly, it can have an amazingly positive effect on us. Children who connect with animals first hand very rarely lose that connection and love. I am a great believer in hands on experience and I admire all the zoos and animal centres who have education programmes in place. The future of our wildlife is in the hands of our children and grandchildren - Nature Deficit Disorder could well become a recognised illness if we don’t prevent that disconnection now.Claire Smith, Editor

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There is no excuse for committing, allowing or encouraging cruelty to animals or for killing threatened species. We call on each political party to commit to the following:

1. Permit only humane non-lethal methods of crop protection, as required under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992.

• Expert assessments, including those by the RSPCA and Queensland’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, have found that electrocution and shooting are inhumane.

• The Queensland Government banned electrocution of flying-foxes in 2001 and shooting of flying-foxes in 2008 in recognition that these methods are inhumane.

• Shooting causes a high rate of wounding, and slow death from injuries, thirst or starvation. Electrocution can cause a slow, agonising death.

• The birth of flying-foxes coincides with the ripening of many orchard fruits. A substantial proportion of flying-foxes killedin orchards have dependent young, who subsequently die from hunger or thirst over several days. The ‘orphaned young’ issue guarantees that all lethal methods of crop protection are inhumane.

• Full exclusion netting is humane and effective in protecting fruit crops from flying-foxes and birds. 2. Assist fruit growers to adopt effective non-lethal methods of crop protection

• Most fruit growers have now adopted netting, the only consistently effective method of crop protection. For growers yet to take up this option, we recommend that governments provide assistance (eg. with low interest loans) for the installation of nets, ensuring that any assistance is fair to the growers who have already invested in responsible methods of crop protection.

. Implement measures to recover populations of threatened flying-fox species and sustain all flying- fox species to promote healthy ecosystems

• loss of productive habitats, mortality in orchards and other threats have resulted in decline of flying- fox populations, to the extent that Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-foxes are nationally threatened.

• Flying-foxes face an uncertain, difficult futurewith ongoing habitat loss, climate change, camp harassment and multiple other threats. Their future viability depends on a much stronger conservation focus.

• investment in the future of flying-foxes pays dividends in the health of woodlands and forests that benefit from flying-fox pollination and seed dispersal.

• Much of the community conflict about flying-foxes is based on misunderstandings and unwarranted fears. Community education is a vital component of conservation programs. Find out more at www.dontshootbats.com

www.dontshootbats.com

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I am on a very interesting journey at the moment. A bat journey!

I am not an active bat carer, yet. I have all the paper work and I just have to sign and pop it in the post.

My journey has really started on my Australia Wildlife News Facebook page where I have met some amazing people - not least, the bat community. They are a very special, dedicated, totally focused and in a very positive way, totally batty community!

I have never met wildlife carers like them and I mean that in a very sincere way. The amount of campaigning alone is full time work for many of them and to stand up to all the hatred and negative press that is generated just by mentioning the words FLYING FOXES, shows me that these passionate people are not

just fly by nighters - they are in it for the long haul and thank god our Flying Foxes have them as advocates.

I have learned so much just by talking to bat carers and researching their work. There is worldwide support for these ardent campaigners and I have seen first hand what people from other countries think of our re-introduced shooting policy. When applying for a permit to kill flying foxes it is granted on the basis that no other non lethal method has worked. Who is policing these people who apply for permits? Have they tried using bat friendly orchard netting? If so they wouldn’t need a permit because it keeps all bats and birds off fruit trees.

Queensland needs to be very aware that there is a global consensus which

is shouting out - DON’T SHOOT BATS!

Mr Newman needs to think of the economic impact his re-introduced policy could potentially have on Queensland. I have already read of people who will not travel to QLD because of this barbaric treatment of native wildlife. I have also read many accounts of people boycotting fruit produced in QLD unless it is guaranteed that it has come from bat friendly orchards...

Knowing my new batty contacts, this is not going to go away, disappear under a convenient carpet or be forgotten.

I applaud the work of these dedicated individuals and groups.

Claire Smith, Editor

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There is a significant risk that one natural event such as fire, flood, drought or disease could wipe out the entire species of the northern hairy-nosed wombat whilst there remained only one population at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific). Therefore, a second colony was needed to minimise the risk of extinction. In order to establish a second colony, it was necessary to translocate wombats from Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) to a new site. This is the story of how that happened.

Any reintroduction project has risks for the individuals involved. There is a real risk that this reintroduction project will not succeed and that individual animals may not survive, however, the effort must be made to overcome the greater risk to the species. During the course of the reintroduction project, every effort has been made to reduce the risk to every wombat involved.

A second colony is being established for the northern hairy-nosed wombats. To achieve this, three partners are working together, with landowners Ed and Gabriele Underwood providing the site, Xstrata a leading mining company providing sponsorship, and Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection planning and implementing the project.

Xstrata Coal's Chief Executive Peter Freyherg has said:

I am very proud that Xstrata is playing a significant role in helping protect the future of the northern hairy-nosed wombat. This is an extremely important conservation project and we are delighted to have partnered with EHP to make such a substantial contribution…

In order to establish a second population of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, a site for the reintroduction had to be found.

Several studies were undertaken to investigate potential suitable habitat for northern hairy-nosed wombats. The studies incorporated satellite imagery, soil, landform and regional ecosystem mapping, site visits for vegetation and soil testing.

A suitable site, with the right soils, vegetation and landscape to support the wombat population, was found at Yarran Downs near St George in southern Queensland.

(St George is the type locality for the northern hairy-nosed wombat).

The owners of Yarran Downs, Ed and Gabriele Underwood entered into a Nature Refuge agreement over the part of their property that was to be the reintroduction site for the wombats. Their nature refuge, the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, was gazetted on the 27 November 2008 and protects about 105 hectares of eucalypt woodland on old river levees.

Part of the area that has become the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and the adjacent Reserve for Environmental Purposes had an Authority to Prospect (ATP) covering it. Bow Energy Ltd the holders of the ATP voluntarily agreed to an amendment which excluded the area within the predator-proof fence from any activity.

Preparing for the translocation of northern hairy-nosed wombats from Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge required a lot of work.

At the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, the following tasks had to be completed to prepare the release site:

• Constructing the infrastructure, including an environmentally-friendly house and a shed. The house is as an office and ranger accommodation, and was built from sustainable materials including compressed straw ceiling panels, rice and wheat straw insulation, natural polymers, and hardboard sheeting made from waste forest products. Because of its unique design, the house has been accepted into the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Homes Program, which aims to show industry and the public how sustainable design features can be incorporated into new or existing homes to maximize benefits for occupants.

• Constructing a predator-proof fence to prevent the entry of wild dogs, feral cats and foxes. The fence was constructed by Conservation Volunteers Australia and others after initial work

MINE AIDS RE-INTRODUCTION OF WOMBATS

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David Gray

done by Ed Underwood. During the construction of the fence, predators and competitors were excluded from the reintroduction site.

• Installing supplementary water stations that are filled by a gravity-fed water-reticulation system.

• Installing wombat monitoring equipment, such as remote cameras, tracking devices and weighing stations.

• Constructing wombat starter burrows. You can also find out how to dig a starter burrow.

Translocating (that is moving) wombats from Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge involves coordination between specialised teams at each site.

At Epping Forest National Park (Scientific), trapping was conducted over several nights to capture wombats using cage-tunnel traps. Caught wombats are sedated, measured, tagged, have a health check, and are assessed for their suitability for translocation. Suitable wombats are flown south to St. George, and then driven to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge.

At the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, newly arrived wombats are carefully transported to a starter burrow, released into the burrow, and then closely monitored.

Since 2009 there have been 15 wombats translocated to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge: four males and one female in July 2009, three females in April 2010, one female in June 2010, three females and a male in August 2010, and a female and a male in September 2010. You can read more details about the translocations in the wombat diary.

The reintroduction has gone very well to date. Although there have been a few deaths of translocated wombats, none of these were immediately following their move. It is therefore unlikely that any deaths were as a result of their translocation. The translocated wombats have been using the starter burrows, digging their own burrows, grazing and drinking from the supplementary water stations.

But best of all, in March 2011 it was confirmed that one of the female wombats was carrying a joey in her pouch. This was followed by news in April 2011 of a second female carrying a joey. These are significant

milestones, and indicate that the project has achieved the right conditions at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge to allow the wombats to breed.

The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is one of the world's most endangered species - it is more endangered that the Panda.

In the 1980s, there were as few as 35 wombats remaining on the planet - all at Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland. A second population was established at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge in southern Queensland in 2009. At last count, in 2010, there were a total of 176 wombats across the two sites. Since then, the population has continued to grow: in 2012, the combined population at the two sites was estimated at 200 wombats.

Xtrata committed 3 million dollars to the conservation project over a three year period which has enabled this translocation and monitoring to take place.www.wombatfoundation.com.auFor more information on the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat check out the Wombat Foundation or click on the links below.You can help us save these mysterious creatures by getting involved, joining or renewing or donating to the foundation or you can buy wombat stuff from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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NOOSA NATIONAL PARKOne of SE Queensland’s Eco Treasures.

Noosa National Park is one of the most beautiful and well preserved areas in SE Queensland. The Noosa people are passionate about protecting not only the park but also the future of Noosa. But it wasn’t always like this.In 1962, the Noosa Parks Association was formed by frustrated conservationists who were unhappy that the Shire Council of the day wanted to build a road around the headland’s seaward edge which would facilitate future development. The conservationists, led by Dr Arthur Harrold, had a huge battle on their hands to prevent the Shire Council from legally going ahead with their plans. It went through the court system with an eventual victory for the newly formed Noosa Parks Association. Interestingly, it is Queensland’s oldest community conservation organisation!Over the years, it became obvious that the only way to protect sections of the area from development was by gaining the official National Park status.

Noosa has had councils who want to push ahead with development and councils who have held back. But the NPA has always been there to ensure that Noosa stays beautiful. Noosa has no high rise buildings, it has a road system without traffic lights and parking meters, no large advertising bill boards and a commitment to the ecology of this remarkable area.

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In 2007 UNESCO recognised Noosa’s essential difference when it approved the area as a Biosphere Reserve.The NPA has worked tirelessly for six decades to protect the Noosa region. They are hopeful that National Heritage listing will also be forthcoming for the Noosa National Park and the Noosa lakes system. They also campaign for surrounding areas to be protected too and have earned the respect of the Commonwealth Government.The Noosa River is a relatively unmodified river system with a very high environmental and scenic value. It faces challenges from human pressure but the NPA work within the 2004 Noosa River Plan to create the best possible outcomes for effective river management.If you haven’t visited Noosa yet why not check out the NPAs website:http://www.noosaparks.org.auIt is undoubtedly true, that without Dr Arthur and his team of volunteer conservationists, Noosa would be a very different place today.This one area has proved, that you can have a harmonious balance between nature and human habitation if you are prepared to work at it and not just look for a quick buck sacrificing the long term future and the sustainability of the region.It’s a rare gem and one worth taking a trip to visit.Ecology and sustainability come first in Noosa and it’s an example other parts of the country could learn from.

Claire, Editor.

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OUR POLLINATORSPollination is the delivery of pollen to the female organs of a plant (stigma in flowers). Pollen is made by the male organs of a plant (stamens in flowers) and contains genetic information needed for plant reproduction. Pollen may be transferred to female organs on the same plant (self-pollination) or another plant of the same species (cross-pollination). As a result of pollination the plants produce seeds. Pollen can be dispersed by wind, water and animal pollinators such as insects, bats and birds.

Pollination by insects is a much more reliable and efficient pollination mechanism than chance dispersal.

1 Pollination by insects determines plant community structures.2 Pollination by insects is particularly important for Australian

native trees and shrubs. For example, native bees pollinate many members of the plant family Myrtaceae. This plant family includes eucalypts, angophoras and tea trees.

3 Pollination by insects is vital for crop production. One third of the human food supply is crops that are dependent on pollination by bees.

It is estimated that 65% of all flowering plants and some seed plants (e.g. cycads and pines) require insects for pollination. This percentage is even greater for economically important crops that provide fruits, vegetables, textile-related fibres and medicinal products. Because insects are such efficient pollinators, plants have developed many ways of encouraging them to visit. This has led to some strong associations between plants and insects. Species of bees, beetles, flies, wasps, thrips, butterflies and moths are all successful pollinators.

These insects make good pollinators because they share two important features:

1. They fly, and so are capable of visiting many plants in a relatively short amount of time

2. They are motivated to interact with pollen, as they either eat it or food items located nearby (e.g. nectar).

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While bees are the better know pollinators, butterflies do their fair share.

Bees, being connected to the commercial growing of fruits and vegetables, are considered the most important. They pollinate in smaller areas and are very good at what they do.

Butterflies can travel longer distances, ensuring coverage of equal amounts of flowering plants in a larger area. But that’s not all: There are also bats and moths and birds, to name a few other pollinators. Although they all are only looking for food — nectar— they actually help plants reproduce.

The numbers of these pollinators are being reduced in alarming rates by habitat loss, through urbanization and the overuse of pesticides. Honeybees are losing ground to a parasitic mite. More than 90 percent of all plants need a pollinator to distribute pollen to set fruit and seeds. While bees buzz their way from flower to flower, butterflies glide and flit back and forth as if they know they are putting on a show for us.

Butterflies like to perch on larger flower heads when they hunt nectar, collecting pollen on their legs and body as they search for food. The legs and the butterfly’s proboscis are longer and farther away from the flower’s pollen so less pollen collects on its body parts than it does on bees, but still they are very effective pollinators.

Bees fly in and out of flower heads and have an easier time with pollination because they are collecting nectar on all parts of their bodies; they have shorter legs and bodies and are not so cranelike as butterflies. Butterflies pollinate during the day while flowers are open and they have a better color perception than bees or even humans. They can see red, their favorite color, while bees cannot. They also find their nectar by being able to see ultraviolet light which makes flower markings very distinct to them. To help the bees and butterflies continue their great work we must all plant colorful, wildlife-friendly gardens full of nectar-rich flowers. Without our pollinators there’s not much of a future in store for planet earth. We need to look after our bees, butterflies, moths and bats ...before it’s too late.

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First, you will need to identify your bird and determine if it is an adult, juvenile or chick. Correct identification is important for dietary requirements.

Weight is also very important – so weigh your bird too. The average bird requires 10-15% of its body weight in food, per day.

Clean drinking water should always be available for adult & juvenile birds.

The seven most important ingredients to keep on hand are:

Insectivore powder – available at most large pet stores

Mixed seeds/grains – small box, available at all super markets

Wombaroo Honeyeater/Lorikeet mix – available at most large pet stores

Small amounts of frozen meat (beef)

Jar of Heinz pureed fruit i.e apple, mango, pear

Small amount of chick starter – available at all rural supplies

First Aid powder – can be fed to any species of bird in an emergency.

Here are some easy diets to get you through the first day.

Insectivores/meat eaters e.g. MAGPIES, BUTCHER BIRDS

Mince beef. Keep in freezer in small amounts that de-frost quickly. An ice cube tray is ideal. Add a small amount of insectivore, mix well and form into small balls about the size of a large pea.

Meat eaters e.g. KOOKABURRAS, RAPTORS (inc.owls)

Beef heart. Cut into strips about 1.5” long and ¼” wide and freeze in small amounts. De frost and add a small amount of insectivore so that each piece is covered. Do not feed kookaburras mince as it can stick inside the beak and remain there. Mince can subsequently rot and cause further health issues.

For baby birds make amounts smaller and dip in water first before offering with feeding tweezers. NEVER GIVE

BABY BIRDS WATER.

Nectar eaters e.g. RAINBOW LORIKEETS

Wombaroo Honeyeater & Lorikeet mix. Keep a small box on hand in an air tight container. Follow mixing instructions on packet.

Seed eaters e.g. PARROTS, COCKATOOS, PIGEONS

Good quality seed mix – sprinkle with insectivore.

Emergency feeding for wild birds - The First 24 hrs

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Water birds e.g. DUCKS, SWAMP HENS

Chick starter mixed with some insectivore and mixed grain and water to make a pulp and feed in shallow, wide dish.

Fruit eaters e.g. FIG BIRDS, NOISY MINORS

Use a jar of pureed fruit as an emergency feed, sprinkle with a small amount of insectivore.

If in doubt as to the identity of your bird feed as an insectivore – all birds eat insects at some point in their life.

These are only emergency 24 hour recipes. All birds require more than these ingredients to thrive. Ed

Flying-foxes have a wingspan up to 1.2m and can easily be electrocuted on powerlines, interrupting services to residents and causing horrific death to the animal.

Since 2004, Bat Rescue has collaborated with Energex to compile a database of trouble spots for rectification in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Regions to reduce these incidences. Information provided to Energex by Bat Rescue has also prompted a number of bundling and rectification works to be undertaken in both areas. This not only reduces the hazard for bats but also the inconvenience and disruption to the community when power outages occur as a result of a powerline strike. Energex have also expressed an interest in trialling and manufacturing devices that could deter Flying-foxes from landing on powerlines. In March 2007 Bat Rescue's Gold Coast branch and Energex were joint recipients of a Wildlife Preservation Society Award for their collaboration to reduce bat electrocution fatalities.

Major works undertaken on the Gold Coast involved replacing low voltage 3-phase cables and re-wiring all roadside 3-phase-and-neutral spans across a busy road in Broadbeach. The trial of this particular cable is an Australia-first and Energex will be closely monitoring the performance to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of this solution.

BAT RESCUE Inc.www.batrescue.org.au

IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS

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WEIRD, WONDERFUL WILDLIFE!The Shoebill Stork is the common name for a large (up to 54 in./122 cm) tall, stork-like bird, Balaeniceps rex. Also known as the whale-head, it is noted for its large head and unusually long and wide, many-colored bill, which ends in a hooked tip. It has broad wings and long, strong legs with large, un-webbed feet. I recently saw a really short film about this ‘dinosaur’ bird and I wanted to find out more about it.

The Shoe-bill is a solitary, silent bird, and is native to the marshy banks of the papyrus swamps of the East African White Nile and its tributaries, where it feeds on a diet of frogs, small crocodiles, and especially lungfish and other mud puddle fish. It obtains this diet by probing the mud with its boot-like bill. Partially nocturnal, it tends to be sluggish but is nonetheless a strong flyer and soarer. In several respects, shoebills are similar to herons, e.g., they fly with their heads and necks folded back. A ground nester, the shoebill deposits its one or two chalky white eggs in a nest of grasses on a high, dry spot, where its downy young remain, helpless for some time after hatching.

1 The length of their feet, ‘heel to toe’, can reach 18 cm.

2 The beak can reach up to 24 cm in length and 20cm in width.

3 Despite weighing as much as 6 kg, the birds can often be found perched on floating vegetation, from where they do their fishing, preferring poorly oxygenated water because it forces the fish to surface for air. If going in for the kill, they put their wings out backwards to maintain balance.

4 When not perched precariously on a clump of water greenery, they are waders. They tend to move very slowly, watching the water for signs of fish.

5 At 1.5m in height, one might say they are solitary giants, only pairing up for the purpose of mating.

6 Shoebills are found in marshy areas in countries like Sudan, Zambia, Rwanda and Uganda. Their distribution seems to coincide with the presence of papyrus and lungfish.

7 While the shoebill is called a stork, genetically speaking it is more closely related to the pelican or heron families.

What a wonderful thing Nature is! Ed

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This is Tinsel. This poor little girl was found hanging on a fence at knee level, on a busy street, while hundreds of people walked past her in the hot sun and she was being eaten alive by green ants. Luckily, she was rescued.