australian wildlife news 8
DESCRIPTION
Issue 8 Australian Wildlife NewsTRANSCRIPT
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION ISSUE 8 NOV 2012
AustralianWILDLIFE NEWS
Saved from the market.Returned to the Ocean.
australian wildlife news
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Ramblings from the Editor....Welcome to issue 8 of AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE NEWS. This month we are covering heaps of topics again including CANE TOADS. I’ve been in contact with Prof. Rick Shine of the University of Sydney Biological Studies Dept. He has recently made an incredible break-though with cane toad control/eradication and all the signs are looking really promising. More from Prof. Rick later. We now have our very own website! This is incredibly exciting, we can now reach a far bigger audience. You can also find us on FACEBOOK too at AUSTRALIA WILDLIFE NEWS (no N on Australia - I made a typo!). Please direct your friends to our website www.australianwildlifenews.comMy thanks go to Alex Harris at Digital Publishing Australia for all her hard work getting the website designed and operational. Secondly, I would like to thank my step-son, Kieron Hunt, for designing our new logo - it’s fantastic and is featured above this column. We are now ‘branded’ and I couldn’t be more excited.This month we also look at the work of KOALA TRACKER and how we can all get involved.This months’ feature article is of course the day I spent with BOB IRWIN - what a day that was and one I will never forget. I hope you enjoy the article as much as I enjoyed writing it.As promised...there’s lots of batty stuff in this issue. With the release of the new vaccine protecting horses against Hendra virus will Campbell Newman back down on his ‘kill the bats’ campaign? It’s fantastic this vaccine has been ‘fast
tracked’ and surely now there’s no need for the mass killing of flying foxes Mr Newman?One of my other step-children is with the Australian Defence Force, he is currently working overseas. He has, and always has had, an amazing affinity with wildlife.I received a text message from him yesterday, not unusual of course. He told me how he’d been into town to the market and was shocked to see live Green turtles, lying on their backs, being sold for meat. He paid $20 for one small one and took it back to the ocean where he released it, but he had to leave behind four much bigger ones. I am very proud of him for doing this and it made me think of how officers working for TRAFFIC and other protection agencies must feel when they can only report on a situation and can’t just bundle up everything that’s being traded illegally or being treated badly.Of course, the people on this island are not illegally trading the turtles, but over-harvesting on many of the Pacific Islands has got out of hand as demand rises and ALL sea turtles are ENDANGERED.Nevertheless, I would have done the same as my son. Save one, save the species.A special congratulations to vet nurse Jen at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital - her article on the Great Green Macaws, published in full in the Parrot Breeders magazine, is really excellent. The photographs are stunning and the 7 page piece is really well written. Well done Jen - hope you get to write some more feature articles for them!Until next issue, Claire Smith, Editor
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Everyone, at sometime in their life, will need someone to fight their corner for them. And never was it more true for our native wildlife too.
Bob Irwin is a champion of animals - animals who don’t have a voice when it comes to issues relating to human and animal co-existence.
He is also a realist when it comes to conservation and believes co-operation is far better than confrontation .
I met Bob and Judy Irwin last month in between Bob’s busy schedules. It was a real honour to be asked to their home and a pleasure to meet both of them. Here I am, a complete stranger that writes a small time publication being greeted by two people like they’ve known me all my life!
To be honest, the reason for my interview was I wanted to get to know Bob - what makes him tick, what continues to drive him on and on and where did his passion for wildlife come from.
As a conservationist, he’s right up there in my book with all the greats but he’s also the most down to earth, regular, true blue bloke you could ever wish to meet and on meeting him I liked him enormously from the word go. There’s not many ‘profile’ people you can sit down and have a cuppa and a slice of cake with and feel totally at home with - Bob is one of those exceptions and I really like the fact that he’s an ordinary man doing extraordinary things and he’s not trying to be anything other than himself and his total focus is the preservation and conservation of
wildlife and habitat - what a great ambassador!
The young Bob Irwin grew up in Victoria and from an early age he was allowed to go off and wander through the bush, as boys did - having adventures, making tree houses and swings - well most boys....young Bob would spend his time catching and bringing home venomous snakes! And he was only knee high to a grasshopper! His poor mother!
For Bob, the fascination with crocodiles came from the knowledge that these apex predators are the closest of all creatures to dinosaurs. The least changed over millions of years. How could such creatures survive?
Why are we so terrified of them?
This love of the greatest of all reptiles forged a lifelong desire to understand them, study them and bring about greater respect and understanding from the world at large. We know more about crocodiles today because of Bob and Steve’s work and because of Bob’s passion and Steve’s vision we have fantastic research still being continued today.
So, there we are, chatting away about snakes and crocodiles and I have quite forgotten that Bob doesn’t know me from a bar of soap...I’d got myself very comfortable, I was full of cake and tea and enjoying listening and all was good in my world....and Bob was my new mate!
Bob is incredibly pro-active with many organisations all over Australia , areas of special interest
currently include, The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats, Cassowarys and Dugongs. He has, what seems like, endless energy. I asked him how long he thought he would keep up the work he’s doing - his reply was ‘until I die...then I’m going to come back and make sure everyone’s doing their jobs properly!’..we all laugh and he carries on to tell us he’s going to be a real nuisance spirit so watch out!
He will continue to speak up and speak out on behalf of all our wildlife because he knows he can’t not do it - it’s just how it is and there are more conservation challenges ahead.
Bob has, what can only be described as, a special affinity with wildlife and habitat. When you walk with him in the bush it is evident he is part of the bush, it’s where he belongs. As strange as it may sound it’s like the bush is talking to him, trusts him and understands him.
Bob is indeed a very special man.
The boy from Victoria who became the champion of animals.
Claire Smith
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CONSERVATION IN ACTIONAfter our morning tea we got in the truck and went off for a drive around Bob’s property, I was really keen to see how he had created his swamp areas.These dam areas were excavated out and allowed to fill naturally with rain water. All the grasses came from seeds Bob collected and scattered on the water. The water then pushes the seeds to the bank and there they germinate...what could be easier? The top photograph shows Bob with a dam he created three years ago and the picture below that is of a two year old dam. It shows just how quickly plant life becomes established. The dams bring the frogs, the frogs bring along the next up in the food chain - snakes, birds etc. The water holes provide drinking areas for wallabies, kangaroos and other wildlife. The grasses bring other birds and insects... So, one of the keys to wildlife conservation is - WATER.Bob and I talked about how these type of waterholes or dams can easily be created by anyone on a large property and the amazing benefits they have for wildlife. But you don’t need hundreds of acres to create a viable eco system. Creating a backyard pond has the same results, just on a smaller scale and is no less important.The bottom two photographs show one of my backyard ponds which I put in 18 months ago. At night it is alive with frogs, especially after rain. It’s used by local wildlife as a water hole and I’ve even had pacific dusks swimming on it. This one is concrete but my other ponds have been made from plastic pond liner which works really well too.I cannot emphasis enough how valuable creating a water source can be. Not only will you be providing one of the key elements in wildlife conservation but you will bring wildlife to your yard or acreage where you will be able to enjoy the comings and goings of everything that visits.Bob’s property is 640 acres and is surrounded by National Park and State Forest. The next leg of our drive was to take a look at food sources and we headed off to check out the Gum hi-way!Spending time with Bob in the bush is a privilege. Everywhere you go there’s something new to look at, something that you’ve probably overlooked every other time you’ve been out walking...not with Bob; the bush comes alive! From the tiniest marks left by sugar gliders to the story of ancient gums, nothing is insignificant, everything is important. To be honest, I could have stayed out there all day, listening and learning. I’ve never seen the bush so clearly. Claire Smith
Claire Smith
Claire Smith
Claire Smith
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When you have Bob as your guide, and teacher, the significance of a single thing becomes very important. The Grey Gum. This particular gum tree Bob described as a hi-way because of the amazing amount of activity it sees from different wildlife. It was magic to start to understand the story of this tree by the bites and scratches left on it from all it’s visitors. Tiny scratches where sugar and squirrel gliders launch themselves on this formidable trunk from another tree. Deeper marks made by Greater Gliders - interestingly, the Greater Gliders give the smaller gliders a leg up when it comes to accessing the sap from the tree. The bigger gliders can get through the trunk more readily than the sugars, so the sugars let the
big boys do the hard work and then step in and have a good feed on the sap- a very nice relationship. Blimey, nature has this whole thing worked out well!We saw koala scratch marks and goanna marks too - who ever knew that so many species could rely on one tree! A day with Bob is an amazing education.Check out this spotting platform. It must be 30 feet high and is built around an existing tree. From here Bob can watch the gliders go about their night time activities. The view from the top is great - you can see hollows really clearly at eye level. Bob has Sugar, Squirrel, Yellow-Bellied and Greater Gliders living in these trees - wish I’d taken my swag!
— Quisque Massa
Bob talking to us about a gnarly old eucalyptus - what stories that tree could tell!
Claire Smith
Claire Smith
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2012 - The next step forward.
This year Bob launched the Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation Inc.
This will ensure that the work will continue on long after Bob is no longer at the helm.
Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation Inc is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to community
education, direct support of front-line wildlife rescuers, and advocacy on behalf of wildlife and protection of the environment.
We need your financial support to do what we do.
If you would like to help Bob and his team visit the website at:
www.bobirwinwildlife.com
I would very much like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Bob and Judy for making me so welcome. Thank you to Bob for giving up a huge part of your day and for sharing your knowledge, passion and experience with me.
I will now look at the bush with new eyes and listen to the animals with new ears.
Claire Smith, Editor
Claire with Bob at Camp Chilli
STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRE
www.australianwildlifenews.comPASS THE WORD AROUND
Heather McMurray
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THE NIGHT OF THE FROGS!There’s nothing I like better than to go ‘FROGGING’. You may be forgiven for thinking this may be a new pass-time carried out by consenting couples and their ‘friends’ with too much time on their hands...but no, this is far more interesting....spot-lighting for our gorgeous little amphibious friends.Having a pond in your garden is a sure fire way of bringing these croaking little marvels of nature to your doorstep. These little blokes, pictured to the right, are only about an inch long yet they can produce that enormous chirrup that we are all so used to hearing, but some of us never see who’s doing it! I took these pictures at 10pm and the garden was absolutely alive! Everywhere I looked I could find a little frog. These are Southern Sedge frogs. They make their homes near water and as you can see in these pictures, they like to hang out on reeds and other foliage. They come in all shades of green and brown and as with other frogs only the male calls. However, it is known that both males and females do make distress calls, usually when it’s too late. There are many other species you can expect to have as residents including the Marsh Frog and the Tusk Frog, both of whom spend most of their time in the water and lay their eggs in foam on the surface.The world of frogs is HUGE! What about the POBBLEBONK! Now if you tell your friends your are going FROGGING for POBBLEBONKS you can bet your bottom dollar they won’t have a clue what you are talking about!
He’s also known at the Banjo Frog because of the curious call he makes which does sound a bit like a banjo being
Royalty free picture.
Claire Smith
Claire Smith
Claire Smith
Claire Smith Photography
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plucked. This little bloke is the Eastern Pobblebonk, there are also Southern, Western and Red Sided Pobblebonks...I told you the world of frogs was big... isn’t it just the best name?These are burrowing frogs and can be seen and heard especially after rain..so if you hear a rapid bonk bonk bonk whilst sheltering under your brolly...that’s who it is. I could ramble on for another 10 pages about Tree frogs, Laughing frogs, Rocket frogs and more, but that would just get too froggy.If you ever get the urge to go frog spotting I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. HAPPY FROGGING! Ed
THE NIGHT OF THE FROGS!
Royalty free picture. Royalty free picture.Royalty free picture.
Claire Smith Photography
THE NIGHT OF THE FROGS!
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THE INVASION OF THE CANE TOADOne of man’s less intelligent ideas
The cane toad has been incredibly successful not only in it’s adaptation to our diverse country but also in it’s ability to change ecologically. Over the years we have even had to change its’ scientific name due to the fact that more and more is being revealed about this unwitting menace. The toad was original named Bufo marinus. Then some highly qualified scientists working in molecular science suggested the latin name be changed to Chaunus marinus (DNA study) because it better described what was understood about the toad...but then, low and behold another group of molecular scientists changed the name again to Rhinella marina. Which just goes to show how much we have learned about this species and it’s evolutionary relationship in ecological terms. Cane toads have evolved so fast in Australia that understanding them is the key to controlling them. Enter Professor Rick Shine from the University of Sydney.As we know, the cane toad was introduced to control cane beetle, which of course it is designed to do very well - in its’ country of origin! This where the problem began...butscientists are now saying that they have found a front line method to control the toads - by using the toads own toxins against them...Rick Shine from the University of Sydney's school of biological sciences and his Team Bufo, have already been catching large quantities of toad tadpoles and using this new method have had remarkable results. Professor Shine was quoted as saying"In order to control toads you need to stop them breeding, and this new method stops them from breeding," .
Two years ago, it was found that toad tadpoles are attracted to their own kind - and like to lunch on them!Professor Shine’s theory is that the toad tadpoles probably kill off the eggs in order to reduce the competition for food...they just can’t resist them....And how were the tadpoles locating the eggs? Through the toxin. Bingo!This was a major turning point in the scientific research and it was now realised that the toxin from the toad could be used in the control of the invader itself. Hurrah for science!The scientists used funnel traps laced with the new toxin bait and then captured thousands of tadpoles. The tadpoles went absolutely crazy over the bait and within five days every tadpole was eradicated - these tests were carried out in 50m billabongs. These results are astounding, however, when asked about them Prof. Shine is quoted as saying,"It is only local and isn't going to eradicate cane toads from Australia,"."There are huge areas where it is just impossible to put traps in every water body."But he did go on to say that in areas of high conservation this revolutionary new technique could certainly go a very long way in controlling toad populations.I am looking forward to publishing more from Professor Shine. If you would like to know more about the cane toad visit www.canetoadsinoz.com which is a non ‘scientific’ site created by Rick Shine. If you are interested in the sciencecheck out www.sydney.edu.au I would like to thank Rick for having so much patience with all my e mails and making time for me during his busy schedule.Ed
http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/shine/canetoad_research/scientific-publications-ecological-and-evolutionary-impact-of-canetoads.shtml
Royalty Free Picture
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If you do nothing else before the end of this year, please click on the link above and join, support and spread the word about koala tracker.
This website used to be called koala diaries which you may already be familiar with.
Basically, the site is an extraordinary community based project which allows members (membership is free) to post koala sightings on an interactive mapping system. This kind of data is vital for the on-going conservation and protection of koalas. This system will help answer three vital questions:
1 How many koalas are left?
2 Where are they?
3 What condition are they in?
The entire project has been set up by Alex Harris who has dedicated her time and personal finances to this one of a kind data collecting system - it’s never been done before but as Alex explains, without community involvement the job of keeping watch over these highly vulnerable creatures is almost impossible.
Now it’s our chance to become another pair of eyes and help Alex, help the koalas. Please sign up and let your friends know about koala tracker too. The more pairs of eyes there are out there, the more people entering data on the website, the more we can do for our iconic koalas. Ed
It is imperative that education and conservation efforts continue to be implemented to protect koalas in the wild and ensure their survival.
Jack Hanna
www.koalatracker.com.au
Please, don’t turn your back on their plight.....
Claire Smith Photography
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2012.‘The Australian Veterinary Association recommends that all horses be vaccinated against the Hendra virus.’
Horse owners and vets must be breathing a sigh of relief now that the Hendra Virus vaccine is available.It is not yet law that all horses are vaccinated, that is still an owners choice. But where does this leave our flying foxes?As we all know, it is thought the virus is transmitted by the bats though urine, saliva etc but how many politicians and people with the power to change laws have stopped and asked themselves - ‘are we accountable in any way?’.It has been noted, that due to changes in environmental conditions which have negatively impacted on the bats’ food source, that the stress that this puts on them has increased the likely hood of higher instances of virus outbreak.If we take a look at a number of our native animals under stress due to habitat loss and then look at the illnesses they are suffering, we can see a worrying pattern.Koalas - retrovirus, chlamydia Possums - dermatitisRainbow lorikeets - LPSSouthern Hairy Nosed Wombats - dermatitis and loss of body conditionA t some point, doesn’t someone have to stand up and say, enough is enough? If we continue to destroy habitat the problems are just going to get worse. Doesn’t it stand to reason there will be more viruses, more sickness, more stress put on wildlife and the support agencies and volunteers who take care these victims? The clean up job after human error costs a fortune, both in terms of finance and the sustainability and health of wildlife. There has to be a balance. There will always be development, that’s a fact. We need to find a way to all work together in order to allow for the needs of commerce and the public sector whilst maintaining healthy habitat. Both sides of the ‘coin’ have so much to gain by working in partnership. Co-operation over confrontation. Ed
1st November
Photo courtesy of Trish Wimberly
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A quick bat lessonBats as we recognise them today have been on earth for at least 55 million years. Their evolutionary origins are a subject of debate as fossil records are rare due to their delicate bone structures. Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight and are perfectly adapted to achieve this.
Bats belong to the order Chiroptera (meaning “hand winged”) and are divided into two suborders, Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera:-
microbatMicrochiroptera (Microbats)small, mainly insectivorous bats which navigate and feed using echolocation. The smallest is the bumble bee bat from Thailand weighing 1.5gms. It is believed that microbats evolved from a shrew-like ancestor being born blind and without fur. In Australia we have approximately 63 species of microbats, that live in a range of habitats including tree hollows, caves, roofs and walls of houses, and change roost sites often to avoid predation. They give birth to a single young(some species have multiple young) through October to December. Microbat babies can be born up to one third of their mother’s weight, so when they become too heavy to be carried, they are left behind in the maternity colony. These colonies can consist of a small
number of animals or several thousand.
Greater broadnosedMicrobats could be considered nature’s can of Mortein as they consume thousands of insects in one night. Although most microbats are insectivores, there are also some carnivorous species. Some larger species prey on smaller species and there is even a fish-eating bat that scoops small fish out of the water with its oversized feet!
TorporMicrobats have a unique way of conserving the energy they need to sustain flight while feeding and echolocating. They are capable of going into what is called ‘torpor’ by lowering their body temperature which in turn lowers their breathing and heart rate. They can appear almost lifeless as they barely move and are cold to the touch. This happens frequently in colder months when food is scarce.
EcholocationThe system known as echolocation is a highly sophisticated method microbats use to generate information about their surroundings. It is achieved by emitting high frequency sound waves through their mouth and nostrils, and listening for the echo bouncing back from surrounding objects. These can be solid objects they are navigating
around or tiny fruit flies they are hunting to eat. It is difficult to imagine how microbat brains interpret this information to form a perfect picture of their environment. For example, the echoes bouncing back can tell them the distance from their prey, the size, shape and even the speed it is travelling. The sound waves need to be high frequency to get the detail back they require, so is above our hearing range. There are some very elaborate facial features on microbats such as noseleafs that direct echolocations calls. It is truly an amazing feature and is the subject of a great deal of study. Different species have different frequency calls, thus specialised equipment known as bat detectors have been designed to record these calls and identify species.
THE CLINIC
Australian Bat Clinic needs donations of medical supplies, towels, fruit, fruit juice, milk formula etc needs change from season to season—please check with the clinic for our current needs—- These donations will be gratefully received and a Tax Deductable Receipt to the value will be issued.
So, how did it all begin? It is quite and incredible story of vision and selflessness on the part of two amazing people - Terry and Trish Wimberely.
Here’s their story.....
www.australianbatclinic.com.au
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The Australian Bat Hospital is a private organisation that has been established to provide best practices medical care for all species of sick, injured and orphaned flying foxes and microbats.
HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN BAT CLINIC & WILDLIFE TRAUMA CENTRE AND NARROWLEAF RETREAT
Narrow leaf Retreat is a 40-acre property in the Gold Coast hinterland at Advancetown in Queensland Australia. The property in its most recent history was a Banana plantation, before being purchased and operated by the Catholic Church as a halfway house for street youth. Next came the use as an Herbalist Healing Centre and health retreat.
In April of 1999, Narrowleaf Retreat passed into the hands of Terry and Trish Wimberley. Their vision for the property sees themselves as custodians of the property even though they own the property by title. Found on the property was a sign calling the property Dhalanbah (the place of the rainbow) which now adorns the main house and clinic rooms. Terry and Trish acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and live in hope that their use of the land honours the spirit of the land.
Terry and Trish were married on the property in May of 2001 a decision was made by both to dedicate the use of the property for the Native animals of South East Queensland. A badly injured Bandicoot named Benjamina Bandicoot inspired this passion. Trish nursed Benjamina back to health using her knowledge gained as a career in the Blue Mountain WIRES organization in New South Wales.
Trish and Terry joined Wildcare Australia a Queensland equivalent to Wires NSW and attended virtually every educational class given; Wildcare Australia Inc. used the property as its base for 6 1/2 years. Improvements to the property saw cages and fencing purchased to care for Macropods, Possums, Gliders, Turtles, Birds, and Reptiles etc.
In 2003, Trish and Terry felt that their best contribution would be to specialize in a group of animals and narrow their focus and increase their depth—This was a dilemma as Terry loved the Parrots and Possums and Trish loved everything especially bats. Depending which one, you talk to determine the story about how Bats were selected; however, there is some consisity in that both loved the Bats. Bats are a cornerstone of the ecological system and it was difficult
to find people that dealt with them at the depth that Trish and Terry wished to go.
As with most things, that Trish and Terry do—-They adopted the plan to learn all they could about Bats—-Put themselves into situations where good things could happen and have fun whilst working on the plan.
The quest for knowledge about Bats has resulted in over 1400 hours of classroom and field studies all over Australia, the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa and Madagascar. Importantly these studies have been with some of the foremost Bat researchers and educators in the world. Specifically Cave and mines research at the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, Echolocation and capture studies in Arizona. Field studies in the Amazon, Madagascar, Mexico and Texas. Cave and conservation work in South Africa. Seminars on destruction of Bat habitat and threats from wind turbines. The lists of people places and accomplishments are both inspiring and amazing. When asked about special memories Trish and Terry talk about some of the rare bats they have captured but
www.australianbatclinic.com.au
Joel SartoreJoel SartoreJoel SartoreJoel Sartore
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most of all it seems to be about the knowledge gained, shared and the unexpected.
The most recent expedition saw Trish and Terry team up with the photographic wildlife guru Steve Parrish and Bat research Legend Dr. Les Hall on a 24-day 10,000klm capture and photograph trip to the Northern Territory and Cape Tribulation for a new book from Steve Parrish Publishing.
In February of 2009, the Australian Bat Clinic and Wildlife Trauma Centre achieved the Deductable Gift Recipient not for profit Charity status. This is perhaps the culmination of all the work up to this point that for the most part has been self funded by the Wimberley’s putting their passion and money into educating themselves and others and working with the over 1000 animals they assist each year. Unfortunately the Wimberley’s cannot continue without financial assistance from the general public thus the registration as a charity and the call for tax deductible donations.
Please help in any way that you can. Now, more than ever, our bats need our help and support and without people like Trish, Terry and their team of volunteers the bats would be in even more trouble.
There’s wish list on the website - please check it out by clicking on the link .
AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE NEWS would like to commend ABC for the wonderful work they continue to do.
Claire Smith, Ed
Joel Sartore PhotographyThese photographs have been kindly donated by Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer.Please take a look at Joel’s amazing work at his website:www.joelsartore.com He is also a published author, teacher and public speaker.My thanks to Joel for his generosity.Claire
Joel Sartore
ACTION ALERT:Under a new regulation, up to 10,500 flying-foxes can be shot each year. More are likely to be shot illegally and thousands of dependent young will also die. Shooting flying-foxes was banned because there is a high rate of wounding, and young flying-foxes die of thirst or starvation when their mother is shot in an orchard.
Four flying-fox species will be affected: Grey-headed, Spectacled, Black and Little red flying-foxes. Fruit growers can protect their crops far more effectively with nets, costing as little as $8,000 per hectare.http://batsrule-helpsavewildlife.blogspot.com.au
Please send a letter to Queensland’s Government. Tell them the worlds is watching, and encourage them to reverse this barbaric decision. Let them know that you will boycott traveling to Australia as well as products that come from Australia, and that you plan to let all of your animal-loving friends to do likewise. The decision to kill bats has been reversed once, lets make it happen again.*Andrew Powell email: [email protected] *Campbell Newman email: [email protected]*Campbell Newman Ashgrove, Office email: [email protected]*John McVeigh: [email protected]
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"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, and out voted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be
outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes." -L. David Mech
WOLVES ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLEI have always loved wolves, even as a small child. The first time I met wolves was about 25 years ago at a small wildlife park in the UK.I completely lost track of time and I have no idea if other people were there. As the wolves started to howl I was compelled to howl too...now, you’re probably thinking you’re glad you were not there with me! But if you had been I wouldn’t have stopped. There is just something about the intensity in their eyes, like they are looking inside you. These highly intelligent, beautiful creatures have a mystery and magic about them that cannot be put into words-which makes the baiting, trapping and shooting of them, in my book, a criminal act.I am not against management of species and sometimes culling does take place. The problem, once again, is man.Habitat loss means that the wolf, like so many other species, has to cope with dramatic changes and learn to adapt. This will ultimately mean greater contact with people, farmers, livestock etc But as we have seen in Australia with our Dingo population, it’s easy to blame the dingo for every sheep attack or calf death. More often than not it will be feral dogs - dogs that were once someone’s pet, turned out, escaped, abandoned...human beings have a great deal to answer for. We destroy the habitat and then complain when the original inhabitants take our livestock! Wolves and Dingoes are only doing what they are supposed to do - trying to live naturally in an ever changing environment.Wolves have always had bad press. Wolves breed fear in people. But the reality is that wolves, by nature, are shy animals and will do anything to stay clear of people...Hollywood should accept some of the blame for Lupophobia. Ed
The general lack of understanding of the wolf has lead to it being almost hunted to extinction in some parts of the world. Please check out:
WOLF HAVEN INTERNATIONAL
Photos courtesy of Wolf Haven International and royalty free photographs.
The mission of Wolf Haven International is to "Conserve and protect wolves and their habitat." Wolf Haven accomplishes its mission through providing sanctuary, education and conservation. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has worked for wolf conservation since 1982. We rescue and provide sanctuary for displaced, captive-born wolves, promote wolf restoration in historic ranges and educate the public about the value of all wildlife.
http://www.wolfhaven.org
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L. David MechL. David Mech (pronounced "Meech") is a Senior Scientist with the Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota. He has studied wolves and their prey since 1958, as well as several other species of wildlife.
I recently was lucky enough to be in contact with Dave and he kindly answered some questions I put to him:The first question I asked him was, in his opinion, has the parvovirus that’s been dramatically affecting wolves, been introduced through feral domesticdog?Dave’s reply: No one knows, but it seems strange that before parvo was ever found in dogs, we found antibodies for it in MN wolves (1973).
My next question was should the Great Lakes wolves still be protected by Federal law or did he think their recovery has been sufficient to be delisted? It is not often that animals are de-listed. Great Lakes wolves are now fair game for hunters.Dave’s reply: Wolves in the Great Lakes recovered 10 years ago and have continued to increase to 4 times recovery levels.
I wanted to know, from an experts’ point of view, what is the future for the wolf in the US and Canada?Dave’s reply: Looks excellent for next 25-50 years depending on how much wild land continues to be undeveloped.
www.davemech.com
My thanks to Dave Mech for his time in answering my questions. Ed
Since humans first drew petroglyphs to record their observations, wolves have populated the art, literature and culture of our planet. The howl of the wolf sends shivers of fascination and love, or fear and distrust, up the backs of people around the world. Hardly anyone treats the wolf with indifference.
In 1985, the wolf's relationships with other living creatures became the topic of the celebrated "Wolves and Humans" exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The 6,000-square-foot display won awards, set attendance records and eventually went on tour in 19 cities around the United States and Canada. More than 2.5 million people learned about wolf behavior and wolf lore and viewed the animal artifacts and masks, the wolf-kill diorama, and groundbreaking research tools.
The wolf biologists who consulted in the creation of the exhibit began planning for its return to Minnesota. Dr. L. David Mech gathered representatives from private, public and professional groups to form the Committee for an International Wolf Center. The goal: a permanent home for the exhibit and an international center promoting public education about the wolf. The site search for the nonprofit center ended in the heart of the largest wolf population in the lower 48 states, Ely, Minn. By 1989, a temporary facility was established there, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The International Wolf Center
Photo: public domain
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For more than seven decades, gray wolf research conducted near Ely has informed the world about this species and has contributed to its repopulation in the north woods. Sigurd Olson, a world-renowned naturalist, made the first noted studies in the 1930s. Milt Stenlund conducted a second wolf research project from 1948-1952. The quality and sophistication of wolf research in the area grew throughout the years and continues today under the direction of Dr. Mech, who has tracked and studied wolves there since 1966. The foremost international expert in the field, Dr. Mech generously interprets his research for the Center's educational programs and serves on the board of directors.
The International Wolf Center opened the doors to its $3 million, 17,000-square-foot facility featuring the "Wolves and Humans" exhibit in June, 1993. State funding of $1.2 million and $400,000 in donations from individuals and foundations paid for the expansion of the Voyageur Visitor Center in Ely. A $125,000 grant for construction and promotion of the Center was received from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) in Eveleth, Minn. In 1998, a 3,260-square-foot addition provided a 120-seat wolf-viewing theater and more classroom, storage and laboratory space. The expansion was funded by a 1996 bonding bill in the Minnesota State Legislature.The Center's flagship facility features triangular windows designed to represent wolf eyes and ears. The observation windows look into a 1.25-acre wolf enclosure and den site that is home for the resident wolf pack. Four wolves born in April 1993, served as ambassadors for the educational mission of the Center. They were joined by two arctic wolves in the summer of 2000. Since then, older wolves have moved into a retirement enclosure, and new pups
have been introduced to the pack about every four years. The Center's Ely facility offers a variety of educational programs for adults and families. Afternoon, weekend and week-long visits include howling trips, radio tracking, snowshoe treks, dogsledding, videos, flights over wolf country and hikes. Programs are custom-designed for groups of all ages. Since its inception, the membership in the Center has grown to more than 9,500 people in 50 states and 38 countries. Membership continues to grow and provides funding for educational programs.
The Center accomplishes educational outreach beyond its Ely facility through a comprehensive Web site at www.wolf.org, a quarterly magazine, web cams on the resident pack, international symposia and a distance learning program that virtually brings our educators and wolves into classrooms in real time. People around the world are touched each year with educational messages about the wolf. By teaching people about this mysterious predator, the Center aims to ensure a future wilderness complete with the exciting howl of the wolf.
Photo courtesy of www.wolf.org
Photo; Public domain
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18 WILDLIFE NEWS
This beautiful planet we call home...Is only on loan to us, yet we carve her up, cover her in concrete and tar, tear down the forests, pollute the rivers and oceans, dig into the heart of her and rape the land without thinking about the consequences - but be warned, one day the landlord will come calling!
Claire Smith Photography
NATURESKNOWS
BEST.
Claire Smith PhotographyClaire Smith Photography