Latest news with #JessicaRobertson
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Photo reveals sad truth behind koala that was rescued from Aussie national park
Preparations are underway to reopen an Australian national park where a staggering number of koalas were 'euthanised' after a bushfire swept through in early March, causing injuries and food shortages. On Wednesday, Victoria's department of environment DEECA confirmed with Yahoo News that only one animal was rescued and taken into care, while 1,061 were euthanised. 'Since early March, 2,219 koalas have been assessed by both ground and aerial teams, with 48 per cent identified as suffering severe injuries and burns from the bushfire and required humane euthanasia to relieve unnecessary suffering,' it said in a statement. After Yahoo News revealed on April 25 that koalas were being shot from helicopters in World Heritage-listed Budj Bim national park, the story was reported around the world, including the US, UK, India, Japan, South Korea and across Europe. But local animal advocates have now revealed populations of these iconic marsupials living across the surrounding region face an even bigger problem than fire. Koala Alliance president Jessica Robertson visited Victoria's southwest on the weekend, surveying the perimeter of the national park where the 'cull' occurred. Her most immediate concern is that private blue gum plantations continue to be harvested in the surrounding area, further impacting food availability. 'If DEECA is worried about koala welfare, they would stop the harvesting until a better solution can be found," she said. "We can't go on with business as usual, because it's creating endless suffering.' Over 40,000 koalas are estimated to live in blue gum plantations around Victoria, and these feed trees cover over 100,000 hectares in the southwest. Photos taken by Robertson highlight how the marsupials are regularly left homeless after the trees they live in are felled. They're then forced to relocate to protected areas like Budj Bim where they are already overpopulated. Related: Fear for joeys as Australia guns down koalas Robertson's grassroots advocacy group, along with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane World for Animals, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party, are calling for an independent investigation into long-running concerns about koala management across the southwest. "The sad truth behind these shocking headlines... is the ongoing chronic animal welfare crisis facing koalas in southwest Victoria that has been unfolding for decades. The root cause being rampant habitat loss and the relentless expansion of the blue gum plantation industry. With their natural habitat diminished, koalas are left with nowhere safe to go," IFAW said last week, before launching a petition for an inquiry to address "Victoria's shameful secret". "We are strongly supportive of calls for an independent review of management plans designed to protect koalas in private timber plantations," HWFA added. Koalas have regularly become overabundant in Budj Bim, resulting in the need for regular health assessments and euthanasia. In 2022, a DEECA-led team performed two medical assessment operations inside the park. During the first, 93 were examined, 28 euthanised, and 53 were given fertility control. The second resulted in 30 of 135 being declared unviable due to welfare concerns. A participant in the health-check program, who spoke to Yahoo on the condition of anonymity, said koala populations regularly boom inside the park after trees across surrounding plantations are cleared. Only small clusters of trees are left for the koalas, forcing them to flee once the leaves run out. DEECA has conceded that "overpopulation in Budj Bim is an ongoing management issue", and there were between 1 and 1.5 koalas per hectare in the fire zone. Environment minister Steve Dimopoulos is yet to directly address Yahoo's questions about the welfare of koalas in the southwest, or the euthanasia program at Budj Bim. The only planned response Yahoo is aware of is a standard post-incident review by DEECA that will assess the successes and failings of the euthanasia program. But for many animal lovers, this internal review is simply not enough. Over 1,600 people are calling for an independent inquiry, and more than 21,000 people have signed a petition. 'Without warning, and without public consultation [DEECA] has authorised the aerial and ground-based shooting of koalas, claiming the animals were suffering due to lack of food after recent bushfires. Yet this brutal decision was made behind closed doors — and we, the public, were never supposed to find out,' the latter petition states. This week, the Liberal Party renewed calls for the government to publicly release all documents that led to its aerial shooting response. DEECA's chief biodiversity officer James Todd described the response to the Budj Bim fire as long, emotional and difficult'. He said the decision to proceed with euthanasia wasn't taken lightly, and only went ahead after approval from wildlife experts and vets. 'It was clear from early on that most fire-impacted koalas were in areas simply unsafe and virtually impossible for ground crews to access in a timely manner, which is why we took the decision to conduct aerial assessments and shooting where deemed necessary to remove koala pain and suffering,' he said. DEECA has since reassessed the health of koalas at Budj Bim, and found the 'overall state' of populations in the fire-impacted area had 'significantly improved'. To help support the remaining koalas, the agency is undertaking a program of invasive predator control. And the state government confirmed with Yahoo it will provide $1 million through its BushBank program to revegetate areas of private land adjacent to Budj Bim to provide koalas with additional habitat. But despite these programs and the massive loss of koala life, DEECA appears to expect ongoing health issues will continue at Budj Bim into the future. 'Ground crews will continue to do monitoring for some time, and longer-term, land managers will continue to do important health checks to support a sustainable population in the park,' Todd said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Photos expose fresh blow after 1,061 koalas shot in national park: 'Sad truth'
Over 23,000 people are calling for more transparency from government about a growing problem facing koalas. There are calls for an independent iquiry into the welfare of koalas living in plantations across Victoria's southwest. Source: Jessica Robertson Preparations are underway to reopen an Australian national park where more than 1,000 koalas were 'euthanised' after a bushfire swept through in early March, causing injuries and food shortages. After Yahoo News revealed koalas were being shot from helicopters, the story was reported around the world, including the US, UK, India, Japan, South Korea and across Europe. But local animal advocates have now revealed populations of these iconic marsupials living across the surrounding region face an even bigger problem than fire. Koala Alliance president Jessica Robertson visited Victoria's southwest on the weekend, surveying the perimeter of World Heritage-listed Budj Bim where the 'cull' occurred. Her most immediate concern is that private blue gum plantations continue to be harvested in the surrounding area, further impacting food availability. 'If DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) is worried about koala welfare, they would stop the harvesting until a better solution can be found," she said. "We can't go on with business as usual, because it's creating endless suffering.' ADVERTISEMENT Over 40,000 koalas are estimated to live in blue gum plantations around Victoria, and these feed trees cover over 100,000 hectares in the southwest. Photos taken by Robertson highlight how the marsupials are regularly left homeless after their habitat trees are felled. They're then forced to relocate to protected areas like Budj Bim where they are already overpopulated. Related: Fear for joeys as Australia guns down koalas While there are management plans that govern koala welfare as plantations are harvested, critics say they need to be reviewed. Source: Jessica Robertson 'Sad truth' behind koala deaths Robertson's grassroots advocacy group, along with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane World for Animals, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party, are calling for an independent investigation into long-running concerns about koala management across the southwest. "The sad truth behind these shocking headlines... is the ongoing chronic animal welfare crisis facing koalas in southwest Victoria that has been unfolding for decades. The root cause being rampant habitat loss and the relentless expansion of the blue gum plantation industry. With their natural habitat diminished, koalas are left with nowhere safe to go," IFAW said last week, before launching a petition for an inquiry to address "Victoria's shameful secret". ADVERTISEMENT "We are strongly supportive of calls for an independent review of management plans designed to protect koalas in private timber plantations," HWFA added. Koalas have regularly become overabundant in Budj Bim, resulting in the need for regular health assessments and euthanasia. In 2022, a DEECA-led team performed two medical assessment operations inside the park. During the first, 93 were examined, 28 euthanised, and 53 were given fertility control. The second resulted in 30 of 135 being declared unviable due to welfare concerns. A participant in the health-check program, who spoke to Yahoo on the condition of anonymity, said koala populations regularly boom inside the park after trees across surrounding plantations are cleared. Only small clusters of trees are left for the koalas, forcing them to flee once the leaves run out. DEECA has conceded that "overpopulation in Budj Bim is an ongoing management issue", and there were between 1 and 1.5 koalas per hectare in the fire zone. How many koalas were shot after the fire? On Wednesday, DEECA confirmed with Yahoo only one animal was rescued and taken into care, while 1,061 were euthanised. ADVERTISEMENT 'Since early March, 2,219 koalas have been assessed by both ground and aerial teams, with 48 per cent identified as suffering severe injuries and burns from the bushfire and required humane euthanasia to relieve unnecessary suffering,' it said in a statement. When koala feed trees at private plantations are harvested, the koalas are forced to relocate to Budj Bim, worsening population issues. Source: Jessica Robertson Why are 21,000 people calling for transparency? Environment minister Steve Dimopoulos is yet to directly address Yahoo's questions about the welfare of koalas in the southwest, or the euthanasia program at Budj Bim. The only planned response Yahoo is aware of is a standard post-incident review by DEECA that will assess the successes and failings of the euthanasia program. But for many animal lovers, this internal review is simply not enough. Over 1,600 people are calling for an independent inquiry, and more than 21,000 people have signed a petition. ADVERTISEMENT 'Without warning, and without public consultation [DEECA] has authorised the aerial and ground-based shooting of koalas, claiming the animals were suffering due to lack of food after recent bushfires. Yet this brutal decision was made behind closed doors — and we, the public, were never supposed to find out,' the latter petition states. This week, the Liberal Party renewed calls for the government to publicly release all documents that led to its aerial shooting response. What's the future for the surviving koalas? DEECA's chief biodiversity officer James Todd described the response to the Budj Bim fire as long, emotional and difficult'. He said the decision to proceed with euthanasia wasn't taken lightly, and only went ahead after approval from wildlife experts and vets. 'It was clear from early on that most fire-impacted koalas were in areas simply unsafe and virtually impossible for ground crews to access in a timely manner, which is why we took the decision to conduct aerial assessments and shooting where deemed necessary to remove koala pain and suffering,' he said. DEECA has since reassessed the health of koalas at Budj Bim, and found the 'overall state' of populations in the fire-impacted area had 'significantly improved'. To help support the remaining koalas, the agency is undertaking a program of invasive predator control. And the state government confirmed with Yahoo it will provide $1 million through its BushBank program to revegetate areas of private land adjacent to Budj Bim to provide koalas with additional habitat. But despite these programs and the massive loss of koala life, DEECA appears to expect ongoing health issues will continue at Budj Bim into the future. 'Ground crews will continue to do monitoring for some time, and longer-term, land managers will continue to do important health checks to support a sustainable population in the park,' Todd said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New company to provide bus travel around Purdue's campus starting in fall, replacing CityBus
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After 25 years of using Lafayette-based CityBus to move students and staff around campus, Purdue trustees have approved a $7.8 million, three-year contract with a new campus transportation provider beginning in the fall. Jessica Robertson, associate vice president of auxiliary services for Purdue, told trustees at their meeting Friday morning that the new company, SP+, based out of Chicago, will offer more flexibility and be focused on campus needs. "SP+ brings decades of experience in bringing transit services to higher education and corporate clients and bring an elevated experience to our campus," she said, emphasizing the company's use of technology, including artificial intelligence and an app for students, staff and faculty to use in navigating campus. Several student groups were involved in narrowing the eight proposals, she said; SP+ is able to call on vehicles of various sizes, increase frequency and be more adaptable. Trustees approved the contract unanimously. Steven Poulsen, SP+ national director of transportation, said his company has operated not only on other college campuses, but also provided transportation for hospital campuses, the NFL and the last 23 Super Bowls. The company's fleet, which he said would be dedicated solely to the university's needs, can encompass 15 to an average of 65 vehicles. "We've had a lot of communication with different groups on campus. We've spent a lot of time literally driving around campus looking at what's going on," he said. "I'm not here to throw anyone literally under the proverbial bus, but things can be improved, and we're very excited about the opportunity." The company is looking at using technology to allow students to schedule their transportation, which would be free to anyone with a Purdue ID. The number of vehicles and routes can adjust based on need, Poulsen said. The company has two potential local sites in mind at which to store its fleet, ideally no more than 10 minutes from campus. Now that the contract has been approved, those decisions can be finalized between now and when service officially begins Aug. 25. "Hopefully, the difference is, 'Wow, it's on time!' 'Wow, it's comfy!' 'Wow, it looks great!'" Poulsen said of current bus service and what his company intends to offer. Students living off campus, though, would have free transportation on campus, but what the transportation options are for those forced to live off campus is murky. The SP+ contract does not include off-campus transportation. 'We appreciate the many years of collaboration with Purdue University and the opportunity to have served generations of students,' CityBus CEO Bryan Smith said in a release after Friday's meeting. 'CityBus will continue to provide reliable, safe, and accessible transit options for all members of our community, including those affiliated with Purdue University.' Campus Loop service routes 13C Silver Loop, 14C Black Loop, 15C Tower Acres and the 16C Bronze Loop will be discontinued, CityBus said, but the public transportation authority will continue providing "essential mobility options for Purdue affiliates" to provide connections between campus and the broader community. "CityBus' existing route network throughout West Lafayette will continue to serve key areas of campus, allowing Purdue affiliates to access residential areas, shopping centers, medical facilities, and employment hubs with ease," the release said. "Additionally, route 23 The Connector will remain a fare-free option for all connecting campus and the downtown districts, supporting local businesses and ensuring mobility." CityBus will remain open to future partnership opportunities with Purdue, the release said. "Transportation is usually the first thing someone interacts with," Poulsen told the trustees, "and it's the last." Reporter Jillian Ellison contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue trustees OK $7.8M contract for new campus bus company in fall
Forbes
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
How Togethxr's ‘Everyone Watches Women's Sports' Is Changing The Game
Togethxr cofounders Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird—alongside media executive ... More Jessica Robertson—are leading a movement that's redefining women's sports, proving that Everyone Watches Women's Sports is more than a slogan—it's a cultural shift. 'No one watches women's sports' has long been a common narrative among mainstream media. A few short years ago, women's sports felt like an afterthought tucked behind men's leagues in media coverage and sidelined in sponsorships, treated more like a charity case than a cultural force. Games were played in half-empty arenas, and broadcast deals were minimal. But today, that narrative has been shattered. The stadiums are packed. The ratings are climbing, and a new generation of athletes and fans are rewriting the rules. At the forefront of this cultural shift is Togethxr, a media and commerce brand founded by four global sports stars—Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird—who teamed up with sports media veteran Jessica Robertson. These leaders didn't just observe the change; they helped ignite it with a simple, powerful mantra: Everyone Watches Women's Sports. 'It just felt like the right anthem,' Robertson states about the mantra, 'the right slogan for women's sports, the right attitude at the right time, and it's become not just now our company slogan and mantra, which we've carried through for the last couple of years, but this unifying anthem across all of sports.' The slogan was born from a revelation during the 2023 NCAA Women's Final Four in Dallas. 'That year broke audience and attendance records,' Robertson recalled. 'We looked at each other and said, 'You can't say no one watches women's sports anymore.' One of our colleagues replied, 'No—everyone watches women's sports.'' What started as an internal company mantra has grown into a cultural phenomenon that challenges outdated narratives and embraces women's sports for what they are: culturally relevant, exciting and good business. Togethxr's mission has resonated beyond words. Over the past year, women's sports have shattered viewership records. The 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship (March Madness) final between South Carolina and Iowa drew a record-breaking 18.9 million viewers, the most-watched college basketball game (men's or women's) on ESPN platforms, and the first time a women's final exceeded the men's in viewership. WNBA attendance rose by over 16%, and media coverage has expanded significantly, driven by fan demand and athlete star power. This momentum is only building as anticipation swells for this year's Women's March Madness Final Four tipping off tonight, with players like Paige Bueckers (UConn) and Lauren Betts (UCLA) as household names. Founder Alex Morgan and cofounder Jessica Robertson. 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' is a cultural ... More movement. The company has played a pivotal role in driving this momentum by creating meaningful partnerships with legacy brands. Since its launch, the company has built alliances with global names like Aflac, TJ Maxx, and most notably, Nike. 'When we launched 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' as a consumer product, it became a unifying anthem,' Robertson said. 'Nike, one of our long-time partners, saw the proof of concept and the community it inspired. Our missions aligned, and together, we've unlocked what global impact in women's sports can really look like.' These collaborations aren't just symbolic—they're strategic. They bring visibility, resources and cultural capital to women's sports, shifting the conversation from charity to smart, future-facing investment. As Robertson explains, 'Women's sports have often been treated as a cause or charity—the 'right thing to support.' But now, it's just really cool, really great business. If you're not into it, you're just dated.' Its trademarked slogan generated over $6 million in revenue in 2024 alone, including 20,000 units sold during just three days of March Madness. The brand's recent collaboration with Nike further cemented its influence with a co-branded apparel collection designed to elevate women athletes through fashion and cultural relevance. Beyond merchandise, the brand is telling more inclusive stories across platforms. The company's in-house production studio has developed a slate of premium scripted and unscripted content that is now streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime and FuboTV. In March, it expanded into publishing with its first book, Play It Forward, a collection of 25 inspirational stories celebrating women's voices and victories in sports. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Jessica Robertson, Cofounder, Togethxr speaks at the Fast Company ... More Innovation Festival at Convene on September 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fast Company) For companies looking to follow in Togethxr's footsteps and build a true movement—not a moment or a moral cause—Robertson offers three key pieces of advice: Looking ahead, Togethxr is planning an exciting lineup of activations for the 2025 NCAA Women's Final Four, including a co-branded launch event with Nike in Tampa, a youth athlete day of play and a high-profile event with Aflac featuring major athletes. They'll also host a live taping with sports icons Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, and Diana Taurasi, showing that storytelling remains a core part of their strategy. Robertson's ultimate vision? 'I want Togethxr to be the most influential brand in sports,' she said. 'We're not just telling stories. We're creating the future of sports.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nike, TOGETHXR to partner on 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' collection
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Jessica Robertson, Cofounder, Togethxr speaks at the Fast Company Innovation Festival at Convene on September 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fast Company) Everyone watches women's sports. Including Nike. The sportswear giant and TOGETHXR are partnering on a merchandise collection featuring the now ubiquitous slogan championing women's sports. The collection will include T-shirts, hoodies and baseball hats, and will be available through Nike and TOGETHXR as well as at Dick's Sporting Goods. "TOGETHXR was created to amplify the voices of women athletes and to show the world that women's sports are not just something to be watched, but something to be centered and invested in," Jessica Robertson, TOGETHXR's chief content officer and co-founder, said in a release Friday. Advertisement "This partnership with Nike allows us to take our mission to the next level," Robertson added. "We will not only create access to new and exciting products on a global scale, which we know women's sports fans so greatly seek, but will also build a future where women's sports receive the respect, resources and investment they truly deserve.' Frustrated with the lack of coverage of women's sports they saw throughout their respective careers, Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel created TOGETHXR with Robertson in 2021. A commerce and media company, it was meant to amplify the stories and voices of women athletes, and offer merchandise that was missing in the mainstream market. "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" became TOGETHXR's tagline, a rebuttal to the common refrain by naysayers who tried to dismiss the growing popularity of women's sports. TOGETHXR began producing merchandise with the slogan in 2023, and it took off last year when South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wore one of the shirts during a game. Jason Sudeikis was often seen in "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" gear as he sat courtside during last year's NCAA tournament and WNBA season. Steph Curry, Shaq and actress Aubrey Plaza also were seen in gear with the slogan. "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" merchandise has already generated more than $6 million in revenue, TOGETHXR said, a number sure to grow under the new partnership. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike, TOGETHXR partner on 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' gear
