logo
Experts call for immediate changes to controversial 'hunt and kill' policy: 'This is a time to take proactive steps'

Experts call for immediate changes to controversial 'hunt and kill' policy: 'This is a time to take proactive steps'

Yahoo02-03-2025

Following recent bushfires, Australian wildlife advocates are calling for an urgent pause on kangaroo harvesting in Victoria's Grampians region. Experts are divided on the best path forward to protect wildlife, The Guardian reported.
Recent fires burned through 76,000 hectares of national park and farmland, raising concerns about the impact on native wildlife.
The timing is particularly worrying, since Victoria just approved new harvest quotas that allow over 106,000 grey kangaroos to be culled annually — 32,000 in the affected areas.
Should we be actively working to kill invasive species?
Absolutely
It depends on the species
I don't know
No — leave nature alone
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
The fires threaten both the immediate survival and long-term health of local wildlife populations.
Holly Sitters, who studies fire impacts on mammals, told The Guardian that large, intense blazes pose serious risks: "Some animals are able to move out of the way of the fire, whereas others may become injured or killed. Then during the weeks and months following the fire, some animals will survive; others will struggle to find sufficient food."
This situation builds on a history of destructive fires in the region since 2006. For context, similar fires during Black Summer killed an estimated 200,000 kangaroos and wallabies.
Two approaches are under consideration. Wildlife Victoria wants to stop commercial harvesting until experts better understand the fires' effects. CEO Lisa Palma expressed concern about "the immediate and potential long-term impacts of the fire on kangaroo populations."
However, some experts suggest controlled harvesting could help recovery. Euan Ritchie of Deakin University explained that kangaroo populations can spike after fires in the absence of natural predators such as dingoes, especially in wet conditions. This can lead to overgrazing that hurts native vegetation other animals need.
The state's environment department engaged in wildlife response efforts, including delivering emergency food packages to endangered southern rock wallabies. Meanwhile, Sitters urged immediate action, saying, "I think this is a time to take proactive steps to protect kangaroos from threats and ensure that future generations can enjoy seeing kangaroos in our landscapes."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Residents erupt as entire Aussie suburb left smelling 'like a toilet' after major leak
Residents erupt as entire Aussie suburb left smelling 'like a toilet' after major leak

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Residents erupt as entire Aussie suburb left smelling 'like a toilet' after major leak

Residents of an Australian suburb are complaining their local area "smells like a toilet" after a deluge of human waste began spreading through the area. Aerial images show thousands of litres of human excrement pooling in a sports field in Perth's south, which has slowly run down to the popular tourist area of Fremantle, prompting authorities to plead with the public to avoid recreational activities like fishing. The problem was caused by a burst sewer pipe in Beaconsfield four days ago. Dean Stacey, a spokesperson from the Water Corporation, explained the ongoing issue is "quite complex". The initial leak caused smaller and related overflows in neighbouring suburbs, which made their way into the Swan River, a major waterway. "The repair in Spearwood is quite complex, instead of being able to weld a band around that pipeline, we're having to prefabricate a new section of pipeline,' he said. While the leak has been stopped, authorities are now scrambling to custom-make new pipes to fix the spill. After the pipe burst on Friday, residents reported a foul smell wafting from the leafy Perth suburb, Nine News reported. "[I] went out to look and you could smell it," one resident said. Another said it "smells like a toilet." Water Corporation has warned residents that it's expected to take "some time" to make the repairs. 'Given the complexity of the wastewater network, there remains a risk of further localised overflows," it said. "As repairs progress, the public is asked to avoid affected areas. Warning signage, security, and barricades are in place for the community's protection." Water Corporation is working with the WA Department of Health, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation to ensure public safety. 'In the event of contact with any residual wastewater, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and disinfect any surfaces exposed to wastewater,' it said. If locals begin to feel unwell or experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea, seek medical advice. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.

North Rustico lobster fishers still facing harbour problems
North Rustico lobster fishers still facing harbour problems

Hamilton Spectator

timea day ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

North Rustico lobster fishers still facing harbour problems

Despite the federal government having dredging completed ahead of this year's spring lobster season in North Rustico, P.E.I., fishers around the area still struggle to bring in their catches. Dredging is a process required in some harbours because tidal currents and wave action can fill in navigational channels and harbour basins with sediment. In an interview with The Guardian on June 1, Joey's Deep Sea Fishing co-owner Julie Ann Gauthier said the tides were low due to the moon phase affecting the tide conditions this past week at North Rustico Harbour. 'Same as what happened at the end of April, happened again, except we were just more aware of it,' said Gauthier recalled an April 29 incident at the harbour. To bring the incident into context, more than a dozen lobster vessels sailing in and out of North Rustico Harbour were stuck offshore for some time as they struggled to land their catches on April 29. 'Nobody did get stuck out there, but there were some days that we maybe didn't get to haul all of our traps because you had to get back to shore before the tide was going to be too low,' Gauthier said. The lobster fishermen around the area have more than enough to worry about, she said. 'Like, is our crew safe? Are we catching enough lobster? What do we need to do? Where are we moving around? All that kind of stuff,' Gauthier said. Dredging the harbour is a simple solution, she added. 'There's talk, but we haven't seen action yet. We have been working with Heath MacDonald, who is our member of Parliament here,' Gauthier said. He is also a member of the cabinet, which means he is around the table with the right people, she added. 'However, we have not yet been told what they plan. But as we phase out of lobster fishing and we phase into deep sea fishing, it continues to be a concern,' Gauthier said. Despite the problems on the water, many residents and visitors of North Rustico, P.E.I. enjoyed a public event on June 1 that was part of Ocean Week Canada, a national celebration of ocean learning, stewardship and connection. The Rustico Surf Club hosted the event in partnership with Cavendish Beach and Central Coastal Drive. Jason Woodside, a professional oyster shucker and former Canadian champion, gave a presentation at the event about sustainable oyster practices. In an interview with The Guardian, Woodside said that P.E.I., as an industry, should continue to focus on creating quality oysters. 'For years and years, the idea is people either think oysters are a food that should be cheap, like buck-a-shuck oysters, or it should be a premium high-quality product, and it should fetch top dollar,' said Woodside. We still need to appreciate that it takes that oyster grower or that oyster four to five years to get to market, he added. 'When we start appreciating the oyster and where it's from, the rest will come,' Woodside said. The nature of the oyster itself and its behavior kind of instills sustainability, he added. 'It takes a long time to grow an oyster and so we nurture and care for our oysters, of course, you know, because each one is precious and special and those oysters also only grow in special places,' Woodside said. Oysters don't just grow anywhere, said Woodside. 'They're in these very delicate places and so, we nurture those places and we sort of tend to the oysters similar to gardening in a way,' he said. Wherever the oysters are from, the person who eats them can connect with the location from which they originated, Woodside added. 'It's not just a frozen chicken breast that nobody cares about. It's about connection, feeling – people try oysters from New Zealand or Ireland or B.C. or New England, U.S.A., and it immediately connects them with that place,' he said Yutaro Sasaki is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government. He can be reached at ysasaki@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Tree planting teaches P.E.I. students about nature
Tree planting teaches P.E.I. students about nature

Hamilton Spectator

timea day ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Tree planting teaches P.E.I. students about nature

SLEMON PARK, P.E.I. – A ninth-grade Summerside Intermediate School science club got to spend a recent school day outside instead of in the classroom. The class spent their morning and early afternoon planting trees at a field in Slemon Park, P.E.I., on May 30. Hosted by the Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, students and volunteers planted approximately 192 trees during the Tree Canada event. Dave Allan, environmental projects co-ordinator for the management association, says activities like these are good for getting students out and aware of the environment around them. As the association starts its tree-planting initiative, its goal is to plant at least 3,500 by the end of the calendar year. 'We're probably a little more than halfway there,' Allan said. Allan has advice for people who want to plant a tree. It starts with making a ring around the area where the tree is to be planted with a shovel. 'Dig the hole about twice the size of the planting and make sure that it's going to be flush with the ground, the top of the soil,' he said. After the tree is in the hole, reuse the soil dug up and firmly use the dirt to patch around the edges, Allan added. 'But before putting the tree in the hole, break up the roots to try and help them spread out once they start to grow,' he said. In an interview with The Guardian on May 30, Lana Gillis, the management association's technician, says these trees will play a vital role for the wildlife. 'A lot of habitats within the trees, around the trees and it just brings the whole ecosystem together,' she said. It's also positive to see the youth partake in activities surrounding nature, Gillis added. 'It's really exciting, and I'm really happy that I'm here today to help them out with that,' she said. Depending on weather conditions, the trees that were planted at Slemon Park will take approximately one year to begin their maturing phase while they expand their ring year after year. 'It'll take a while for them to grow fully, but it'll be exciting to see,' Gillis said. Yutaro Sasaki is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government. He can be reached at ysasaki@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store