Latest news with #DepartmentofEnvironment
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Mukah records Malaysia's only unhealthy API reading of 107 as of 6pm
Haze situation in Mukah in the afternoon of July 30, 2025 – The Borneo Post photo KUCHING (June 30): Mukah is currently the only district in Malaysia recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API), with a reading of 107 as of 6pm today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. Other monitoring stations across Sarawak reported moderate air quality (API 51–100). Sibu recorded the second highest API at 90, followed by Miri and Kapit at 73, and Kuching at 71. Other stations in the state reported readings ranging from 58 to 69. Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in a 5.22pm update reported scattered clusters of hotspots in western Kalimantan, along with few to isolated hotspots in Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. 'Slight to moderate localised smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspots detected in the parts of Kalimantan, as well as the northern and central parts of Sumatra. 'The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the southern Asean region could not be determined due to cloud cover,' it said.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Warning over invasive predator 'boom' with Aussie rangers 'working around the clock'
Rangers say they are 'working around the clock' as one Aussie state braces for an invasive predator 'boom' following recent wet weather. While the rainfall in Outback Queensland has been a much-needed boost for all creatures across the food chain, it has also set the scene for populations of feral cats and foxes to explode, according to the state's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI). In an attempt to curb their expansion and protect critical habitats where 'an amazing array of wildlife' reside, rangers have been been putting 'control measures' in place at various national parks to help 'knock down predator pest numbers' and give native animals a chance to 'breed up'. Diamantina, Currawinya and Astrebla national parks, as well as Taunton National Park (Scientific), are home to threatened species, including the critically endangered bridled nail-tail wallabies and greater bilbies. They also have less tree cover than other protected areas in the state. 'Pest predators will particularly target babies and young and can have dramatic impacts on population numbers,' Pest Management Ranger Stuart said on Wednesday. 'We've also been monitoring and tracking their movements to get a better understanding of cat and fox behaviour so we can continue to tailor and adjust control methods for maximum effectiveness. 'Feral cats and foxes don't keep to regular work hours, so Rangers have been working around the clock in order to make our pest control efforts as effective as possible.' Queensland's control methods include trapping and baiting. Feral cats and foxes continue to threaten native species Feral cats and red foxes are some of Australia's worst invasive predators and have contributed to the country's status as having the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Together, they've helped drive over 25 native species to extinction, and continue to threaten more than 100 others — including small marsupials, ground-nesting birds, and reptiles — many of which occur nowhere else in the world. Feral cats are considered one of the most damaging invasive species in Australia. Estimates suggest they kill more than a billion native animals every year. Their economic impact is also staggering, with research revealing that feral cats cost the Aussie economy around $1 billion a year, including expenses for control efforts, ecological damage, and biodiversity loss. Foxes were first introduced in the 1860s for recreational hunting, but their numbers have since exploded across the country, largely due to a lack of natural predators and an abundance of prey. Similarly to cats, they prey on native wildlife, but also affect agriculture by attacking livestock and poultry. While they're often less numerous than their feline counterparts, foxes can be just as ecologically destructive in areas where native species haven't evolved sufficient defences. They are also becoming increasingly prevalent in urban areas, with one man recently detailing his late-night encounter with a fox in a suburban Sydney parking lot to Yahoo News. 🚘 Late night encounter in suburban car park highlights big issue 🦊 Aussie council under pressure as iconic species ravaged by invasive predator 🐈 Sad find in Aussie garden as Aussie state looks to introduce new pet rules Major national park hazard to tackle 'big threat' Like all states and territories, NSW is trying to curb its growing fox population, with authorities warning residents this week to be vigilant as they prepare to commence an expansive fox baiting program at national parks and reserves. 'Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to native plants and animals and cause extensive damage to the environment, along with billions of dollars' worth of damage to Australian agricultural production each year,' a National Parks and Wildlife spokesperson told Yahoo, adding that 'sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is the most effective landscape fox control method'. They said extensive research has shown that native animals — including lace monitors, quolls and birds — have a high tolerance to 1080 at the concentrations used to control foxes. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Australian man faces 20 charges after alleged events in quiet holiday town
After an extensive investigation into the deaths of wild animals in a quiet Australian seaside town, a man is facing 20 charges. It's understood they relate to an alleged incident in February when residents of Venus Bay discovered the bodies of up to nine wombats. Police and Victoria's Conservation Regulator began investigating the deaths during the summer and announced a South Gippsland man had been charged today under the Wildlife Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. They will allege the deaths represent 'a senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty'. Located on the Bass Coast, the ordinarily quiet village is a world away from nearby bustling Inverloch and Phillip Island, where the population swells from around 14,000 to 40,000 over the summer. Because it hasn't been developed like neighbouring suburbs, it's known for its wildlife, and ahead of the summer, residents placed homemade wombat warning signs in their front yards, asking tourists to slow down. How do I respond if I witness wildlife crime? Under Victoria's Wildlife Act, it is illegal to kill or harm wildlife without a permit. Conservation Regulator chief Kate Gavens said her agency, which sits within the Department of Environment (DEECA) takes wildlife crime 'seriously'. 'Wildlife cruelty is unacceptable. [The] Conservation Regulator will investigate and seek prosecution for serious cases of wildlife cruelty,' she said. New $48 million national park announced to save iconic Aussie animals Wild photo shows hidden danger in mud Amazing footage shows native 1kg predator killing rats Anyone with information about wildlife crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
14 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Goldie the crocodile found on Gold Coast street relocated to Rockhampton Zoo
Zane Hemmings was riding his motorbike in Austinville, a hinterland suburb of the Gold Coast, back in March when he noticed something on the road. "I'm the kind of person who pulls over for animals and always stops and checks," Mr Hemmings said. "I thought I'd almost hit it." His friend Lachlan, who was riding with him, initially thought it was a lizard. But the pair soon realised it was a crocodile. "My immediate reaction was just shock and more curious as to how it got there really, because the chances of coming across something like that and in the wild are next to none," Mr Hemmings said. Wild crocodiles are not found on the Gold Coast, so the pair immediately reported it to the Department of Environment. "I've seen them at zoos, but never seen one in the wild," Mr Hemmings said. They looked around in the bushes nearby with spotlights but found no other animals or signs of where it came from. Wildlife rangers retrieved the animal and assessed it in Brisbane. Aside from some scar tissue on the tip of its tail, the two-month-old crocodile was in good condition and well fed. The crocodile could not be released back into the wild as it was unknown where it had been and the long-term health impacts of being so far from its native habitat. Rockhampton Zoo, located in natural crocodile territory, was selected as its new home. Rockhampton Zoo curator Tegan Gargett said the crocodile, now named Goldie, was settling in and "eating well" after being transferred in May. "We don't know his back story, we don't know what he's been through, but he's doing fine now that he's here," Ms Gargett said. "He's doing all the things that a crocodile should do. Ms Gargett said Goldie was in quarantine at the council-run free zoo. "Reptiles in particular have quite a long quarantine period because they don't tend to show any signs of issues or disease or anything like that for a really long time," Ms Gargett said. "He will be in quarantine for quite a few months and then he is actually going stay off display for a fair while … he actually is too small to go into our main display enclosure." The Rockhampton Zoo is home to resident saltwater crocodile The Colonel, who is a crowd favourite at an impressive 450 kilograms and 4.3 metres long. In a separate enclosure is freshwater crocodile Hahn. The zoo used to have a third crocodile, a female freshwater named Vicky, however she died of old age in 2021. And while the new crocodile has been christened Goldie, its gender is not known yet. "Obviously found on the Gold Coast but also it fit into the Aussie theme that we've had with our freshwater crocodiles over the years, which is that they've actually been named after beers," Ms Gargett said. Freshwater crocodiles are not native to the Gold Coast and the Department of Environment believes it is likely an escaped pet or illegally taken from the wild. No-one has yet been fined and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department. Information can be reported anonymously. Offenders could face a maximum court penalty of $16,131 for taking a native animal from the wild under the Nature Conservation Act.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Clear skies across Malaysia today, no unhealthy air recorded
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded clear skies and no unhealthy air quality levels nationwide today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Three locations, Langkawi in Kedah (48), Tawau in Sabah (45) and Rompin, Pahang (37) reported good air quality levels. Meanwhile, 60 other locations registered moderate air quality, including several areas in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan. Among them were Kuala Selangor (81), Johan Setia (78), Shah Alam (76), Cheras (75), Nilai (75) and Batu Muda (74). No locations recorded unhealthy air quality as of 10am, and no transboundary haze has been reported, signalling stable atmospheric conditions across the country.
