Latest news with #NatureConservationAct1992
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie duo slapped with $9,000 fine for illegal act in national park
A warning has been issued for any would-be hunters with their sights on Queensland's national parks, after two men were fined thousands for gunning down feral pigs. The destructive animals are creating havoc around Bribie Island National Park, and many believe the problem is only getting worse. Although the animals are considered an invasive pest, hunting in national parks in Queensland is strictly prohibited. The pigs unleash an estimated $100m economic burden on Australia's agricultural sector every year and on Bribie Island they appear to be getting more and more brazen – even stealing food from campers. The two shooters allegedly entered the park on multiple occasions to hunt feral pigs and went to lengths to cover their tracks, including allegedly removing their number plates and travelling on restricted roads. The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the men entered the park 'unlawfully', and also had pig-hunting dogs with them. The duo was slapped with a combined fine of $9,032 under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992 and various Transport Operations Acts and Regulations. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services Manager Chris Skennar said there are already pest control programs in place, and illegal activities can undermine those efforts. 'Bribie Island National Park is a fragile ecosystem that supports a wide variety of unique native species. Illegal hunting not only poses a direct threat to local wildlife, but also damages sensitive landscapes, undermining the conservation efforts our rangers work so hard to maintain," Skennar said. 'Even if the intention is to target a pest species, the way it's done matters. National parks aren't a remote property, they're a shared, protected space. We're committed to enforcing the law and ensuring our parks are safe for both visitors and wildlife." Any illegal activity in national parks and state forests can be reported anonymously by calling 1300 130 372. President of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA) Ned Makim previously told Yahoo News the extent of the feral pig problem in Australia is much higher than official government reports. "The estimation of how many pigs there are in Australia is grossly underdone," Makim said. "The minimum number of pigs is thought to be about three million and the maximum about 23 million. We think that it's at least double that higher figure, and maybe more." Hunting for feral pigs is allowed in most states when conducted on private land. In Queensland, the shooters are limited to private land and must have the landowner's permission. Hunting in state forests and national parks is not permitted. In NSW, shooting on public land requires a current R-licence and written permission from the Department of Primary Industries Game Licensing Unit. There are 350 state forests declared as public hunting lands. In Victoria, hunters need a registration of interest, a game licence or a firearms licence to target pest animals on crown land. Hunting regulations must be followed. In South Australia, a Basic Hunting Permit is required but feral pigs cannot be targeted in Game Reserves, National Parks, Conservation Parks and Wilderness Protection Areas. In Western Australia, pig hunting is only allowed on private land with the landowner's permission. In the Northern Territory, pigs can be targeted under a permit system. A permit allows the owner authority to hunt for 12 months inside the hunting reserves of Shoal Bay and Harrison Dam. Hunting on other crown land or Aboriginal land requires a permit. In Tasmania, a game licence is required to hunt on Crown land. Feral pigs can be taken at any time, even from state forests. In the ACT, pig hunting is restricted to private property with permission from the landowner. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Animal welfare group outraged after illegal trap leads to heartbreaking outcome: 'Unnecessary suffering'
The heartbreaking aftermath of an illegal wildlife trap drew the outrage of an animal welfare group in Scotland. As the BBC detailed, the Scottish SPCA was forced to euthanize a cat after it was found critically injured in an illegal trap left in woodland near Macduff, Aberdeenshire. It was not revealed whether the pet had an owner, but an SSPCA spokesman urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. "These illegal traps are indiscriminate and will cause unnecessary suffering to any animal caught in them," the spokesman said, per the BBC. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Illegal wildlife traps can be incredibly harmful to local ecosystems because any animal can fall victim to them and suffer as a result. Whether it's a target pest or a harmless native species, no animal is safe when traps are laid without proper authorization or regulation. For example, wildlife authorities in Australia determined that an illegal hook and snare line found in an Australian riverbed in Queensland was an individual's attempt to deliberately "capture and kill" a large crocodile. The blatant act of cruelty directly violated the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which protects crocodiles in Australia from harm and death with a maximum penalty of $36,293. Even pest control devices like glue traps can be used illegally and cause significant harm to wildlife and the environment. In one instance, a glue trap wrapped around a public tree used to catch invasive spotted lanternflies actually created a swarm of earwigs, which can cause severe damage to trees and even lead to their death. Further cases where birds and other creatures have been caught in glue traps exemplify the harmful consequences these methods can have — unintended or not. The euthanization occurred less than a year after the Scottish parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. According to the BBC, the bill "includes a range of measures that will give greater protection to wildlife, including a ban on the use of all forms of snares and a ban on use of glue traps." The SSPCA also has a confidential animal helpline for residents to report trapped animals or suspected illegal traps. When dealing with a pest problem, it's always best to consult a professional who can suggest humane and legal solutions so the issue can be addressed without collateral damage. If you come across illegal traps, reporting them to local wildlife protection authorities can prevent further harm. 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.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Yahoo
Kids filmed using snake as skipping rope
Shocking footage has emerged of children using a dead snake as a skipping rope near Rockhampton in Central Queensland. The video shows children from Woorabinda, about two hours from Rockhampton in Central Queensland, using a large, dead snake as a skipping rope. 'Show me that, show me what it is,' the woman in the video says. As the kids jumped and giggled, one of the boys said it was a black-headed python. It is unclear whether the python was already dead when the video was filmed, but the clip went viral online, attracting hundreds of views on social media and raising the alarm from the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. 'We condemn this inappropriate behaviour and will investigate the incident,' a spokesman said. The maximum fine for a person found guilty of killing or injuring a black-headed python is $12,615. The department urged residents to report incidents as they occur. 'The killing or injuring of native animals should be reported to the Department of the Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation or the RSPCA,' the statement read. Black-headed pythons are one of the largest snakes in the country, native to northern regions of Australia and have been seen from Gladstone on Queensland's coast to the Northern Territory and Western Australia. They are a non-venomous species that can grow to a length of 3.5m and kill prey with constriction. The reptiles are usually very docile and harmless to humans and have been classified as a protected species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. If they have been seen in the area, the department recommends leaving them alone and calling a snake catcher to safely remove them from the area.
