Welcome to the August my.Wildlife eBulletin, number 17. Congratulations to our eBulletin number 16 competition winner, Janis Chown of Charters Towers, who correctly answered that theGreat Barrier Reef was granted World Heritage Status in 1981. Janis, a WPP donor wins a copy of Steve Parish Publishing’s impressive new title The Great Barrier Reef by Gary Bell and Dr Tony Ayling.

Stop killing whiptail wallabies

Wildlife Queensland wants to stop licensed killing of whiptail wallabies. Current state government culling licences allow the wallaby, also known as the pretty face wallaby, to be harvested commercially. But numbers are dropping, their habitat and range are decreasing. It’s time to stop killing whiptails for commerce.

Find out what Wildlife Queensland is doing to protect the whiptail wallaby.

Pulp mill pressure

Tasmania’s giant export woodchipper, Gunns Ltd, is likely to receive approval from the Tasmanian Government to build a native forest-based, chlorine dioxide bleaching pulp mill for Tasmania’s beautiful Tamar Valley. Christine Milne, Greens senator for Tasmania, says it’s still not too late to stop this project that is likely to damage Tasmania’s, and therefore Australia’s, environment. It’s not just a local issue.

The federal environment minister Malcolm Turnbull has given draft approval to the project. The public can comment on this decision only until 31August. Find out more about the campaign from Senator Christine Milne.

Remind yourself how to write to a politician and get a response.

Batty Boat Cruises are back in 2007!

It’s time to think about booking one of Brisbane Branch’s popular wildlife cruises on the Brisbane River to enjoy the spectacular sunset flyout of thousands of flying foxes. We are now taking bookings for trips on 28 October, 18 November and 9 December 2007.

Traveston Dam inquiry release

The Senate committee report into the Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River has recommended that the federal environment minister look carefully at the impact of the dam and calls on the Queensland government to properly compensate businesses and keep communities up to date on the building process. The federal environment minister, Malcolm Turnbull, can still make a decision to halt the dam under federal legislation.

Read a summary of Wildlife Queensland’s evidence to the Senate inquiry on the Traveston Dam.

Hotspot heroes

Where do lyrebirds go when they find themselves in a hotspot? Find out more about an amazing theory of wildlife survival in the next issue of Wildlife Australia Magazine. WAM’s Spring issue is due out in September 2007.

Subscribe now to make sure you get your copy.

No more netting?

Larger chains of hardware stores are rumoured to be halting the sale of certain types of bird netting and traps because of the damage they cause to birds and other animals. Bird netting manufactured from black filament is targetted for withdrawal from sale because it presents an unreasonable risk for flying foxes, gliders and birds.

Find out more about the effects of inappropriate garden netting

Celebrate our threatened species

On 7 September 1936, the last known Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) died at the Hobart Zoo. We now mark this date as Threatened Species Day by honouring our wonderful wildlife and protecting them from the fate of the thylacine.Your whole family can celebrate Threatened Species Day with Wildlife Queensland and Brisbane City Council’s Family Fun Day on Sunday 9 September

For your diary

Climate change down under

Take the opportunity to listen to a panel of experts for a whole day. You can join the debate and become informed about global warming at Queensland Museum on Saturday 1 September. Bookings essential.

Koala Forum

WPSQ’s Bayside Branch is running a Koala Forum as part of Threatened Species Week on Saturday 8 September 9.30am-12.30pm at Indigiscapes Centre, Capalaba.

Moreton Bay in the Spotlight

WPSQ’s Bayside and Boondall to Tinchi Tamba branches are running joint forum with Moreton Bay Coast Care on Sunday 9 September 10am-1pm at Indigiscapes Centre, Capalaba.

Southern Branches Get-Together

This year’s Wildlife Queensland Get-Together is hosted by Upper Dawson Branch in Taroom: it will be a great chance to visit a fascinating area in the company of people who are closely identified with the region. WPSQ members only. Find out more in our latest newsletter or phone WPSQ on 07 3221 0194. Bookings essential.

Australian Wildflower Showcase

Society for Growing Australian Plants is holding plant sale at Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and herbarium tours, Saturday-Sunday 15 and 16 September 9am-4pm.

For more information about this and other events visit the WPSQ Green Diary

Wildlife Queensland Newsletter

You can download a full colour copy of the Wildlife Queensland Winter 2007 newsletter (~770kb). If you also receive a hardcopy of the newsletter, but would rather just download the pdf format file, please cancel your hardcopy by email with your name, address and reference number (if known).

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.
95 William St, Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia
Ph: +61 7 3221 0194 Fax: +61 7 3221 0701

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