Wildlife advocates are calling for a halt to the commercial harvesting of kangaroos in Victoria’s Grampians region after bushfires there. Wildlife Victoria warned of “long-term impacts” on native plants and animals due to the fires, which burned through 76,000 hectares of national park and farmland, and called for a stop to the controversial practice until […]
Tag: Australia
Australia’s flying foxes are ‘curious, gentle and intelligent’ – and often misunderstood
One of the most spectacular sights at Adelaide’s Womadelaide music festival is not on the official lineup. As dusk approaches, thousands of grey-headed flying foxes begin chattering and stretching their wings as they prepare to ascend from their roosts in Botanic Park and set out in search of food. “It’s an amazing sight,” says associate […]
Conservationists call for fox-free zones to protect the Parma wallaby
The creation of more fox-free safe havens and greater collaboration between government and landowners is needed to ensure the survival of a species of wallaby, an expert from The Australian National University (ANU) argues. The Parma wallaby, also known as the white-throated wallaby, is listed as a vulnerable species in Australia, while the International Union […]
“Crocodile Dundee” Crocodile Dies at 90 Years Old
The crocodile known as Burt, who gained fame for his role in the 1986 film “Crocodile Dundee,” has passed away. Burt lived at Crocosaurus Cove, a wildlife attraction in Darwin, Australia, where staff recently shared the news of his death. He was believed to be over 90 years old. Burt became famous for his on-screen […]
One in 10 southern right whales alive in 1893 could have still been swimming today, study finds
In 1893, the World’s Fair was getting under way in Chicago, the world’s first number plates appeared on cars in Paris, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination would later spark the first world war, spent time hunting kangaroos and emus in the NSW town of Narromine. Also, according to researchers, up to 10% of southern […]
Invasive species are often threatened in their native ranges
Many species that are considered invasive in areas where they’ve been introduced may actually be threatened with extinction in their home ranges. A new study published in Conservation Letters explores this conservation paradox, asking whether or not nonnative species that are endangered in their native range should be protected or controlled. “We were interested in […]
‘Old’ animals offer wisdom and stability, need protection: Study
In many animal societies, elderly individuals are critical contributors to their species’ survival, a new study has found. That’s why wildlife conservation must account for older animals, researchers say. Keller Kopf, lead author and ecologist at Charles Darwin University, Australia, told Mongabay he wanted to counter the idea that “getting old is always a bad […]
Emperor Penguin Returns to the Ocean After Amazing Journey
An emperor penguin named Gus made an extraordinary appearance on an Australian beach, thousands of miles away from his icy Antarctic habitat. Officials confirmed that Gus was released back into the ocean after 20 days of recovery, marking the end of his remarkable journey. Gus was discovered on November 1 in Denmark, a coastal town […]