Welcome to Wildlife Queensland’s eBulletin for July 2008. We’re talking savannah cats and flying-foxes. We’re helping you comment on the future of Far North Queensland. And we're wondering how the federal government expects you to comment on the National Koala Conservation Strategy. Read more below.

Keep the cat out

Wildlife Queensland made a submission to the federal government to oppose the future importation of pet savannah cats, the commercial name for a hybrid of a serval cat (a small African feline predator) and a domestic cat. Thank you to all our members who contacted us expressing concern about this issue.

Savannah cats must not become domestic pets in Australia. Find out why.

Flying-foxes are forest makers

Without flying-foxes pollinating trees and dispersing seeds, many of our forests wouldn't exist. Mainland Queensland is home to all four of Australia’s Pteropus species of flying-fox: little red, grey-headed, black and spectacled.

Find out about flying-foxes in Queensland in our four new species profiles

Batty Boat Cruise dates TBA. Would you like to go on a Batty Boat Cruise this summer? Dates for the 2008 cruising season will be announced on the website soon.

FNQ Regional Plan: What to comment on

Far North Queensland has one of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet. The Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIP) has invited comment on the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 (FNQ 2025). The closing date for submissions is 5pm 8 August 2008.

Make a submission and send us a copy to go in the draw to win a fabulous prize, a copy of the latest Ecosystem Guide Rainforest of Tropical Australia by Damon Ramsay (soon to be reviewed in Wildlife Australia Magazine).

Spring fever with WAM

Up in the air, beneath the sea or following a winding track through fire recovery in the ACT, the forthcoming Spring issue of Wildlife Australia Magazine explores wildlife territory, and offers a breathtaking Christmas gift opportunity.

No time to conserve koalas

'The koala is an important part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage,' said the federal government on 5 July 2008. But Wildlife Queensland and other conservation organisations and individuals have been given less than 3 weeks by the federal Department of the Environment to comment on the National Koala Conservation Strategy.
Submissions close COB Friday 25 July 2008.

Make a submission. (and while you're at it, tell the government that less than 3 weeks notice shows they aren't serious about wildlife conservation.)

Riding for the cause

Cycling is good for wildlife. Jean-Pierre Jacquet (pictured), past President of WPSQ's Brisbane Branch, is cycling from Bundaberg to Brisbane as part of Bicycle Queensland's annual road trip. Along the way (all 600km) of it, he'll be raising funds for Wildlife Queensland. You can sponsor Jean-Pierre by calling Wildlife Queensland head office on 07 3221 0194 – he’ll go all the way for wildlife!

Email now and ask how you can support Jean-Pierre.

Work with Wildlife Queensland

Career opportunity with WPSQ. Full of energy - not afraid of hard work? Are you organised, quick on the uptake and computer savvy? Would you like to work at Wildlife Queensland's head office as our new office manager? We're still accepting applications for this exciting and challenging job.

If you're keen to join our team and help us protect the environment, check out our new vacancy based at head office in Brisbane.

Wildlife Queensland Council: call for nominations. Do you care about Queensland’s environment? Can you set goals for this hard-working and progressive Society? Contact us about standing for Wildlife Queensland's Council in the September 2008 AGM. Email us with your expression of interest. All applications are confidential.

For your diary

Southern Branches Get-Together and AGM. Camp Warrawee. Friday-Sunday 19-21 September 2008. All WPSQ members invited.

Quoll Discovery Night. FN Quoll Seekers Network event in Atherton, Barron Valley Hotel 5.30pm Saturday 26 July 2008

Biosphere workshop. Discover why Queenslanders are advocating that over 1.5Mha of the state should become biosphere reserves – Saturday 26 July 9.30am-1pm

You can find out more about these events in our diary.

Wildlife Queensland Newsletter

You can download a full colour copy of the Wildlife Queensland Winter 2008 newsletter (~1.2MB). 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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