Keep up to date with current wildlife news.

These short articles summarise news about Wildlife Queensland activities or information about recent developments in wildlife issues that reflect the Society's interests.

For past news articles, visit the news archive.

Government Moves to Ban Balloons

Wildlife Queensland welcomes any initiative by the Queensland State Government to reduce or stop the release of balloons into the environment from events run or organised by the State Government... more

Danger in the Opera house

Opera house traps and other enclosed yabby traps kill platypuses, turtles, Australian water-rats and water birds. Wildlife Queensland has launched a postcard and poster campaign to ban opera house traps in all Queensland public waters... more

Far North cameras trap cassowaries

The Far North Quoll Seekers Network had several historic sightings of spotted-tailed quolls in the Speewah area near Kuranda, 30km north west of Cairns. This area is noted for good numbers of cassowaries... more

Expansion of the National Park Estate

The recent 2010 budget has provided a significant funding boost of some $54 million over 5 years for national park acquisition and management as a component of a $100 million Environmental Fund established by the Bligh Government... more

Conservation projects with a bright future

We all know that our actions have an effect on wildlife, but we often don't know enough about the important details. Through its grants program Wildlife Queensland, funded by its Endangered Species Trust, is supporting research by university students so we can all find out more... more

Your wetlands data can help better management

If you or your group carries out wetland survey work or collate fauna and flora records you can contribute your information to the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s Wetlands Information Capture (WIC) system and ensure your data supports better conservation decisions... more

The Wenlock River runs wild

The Wenlock River is now declared a wild river under Wild Rivers Act. That means it will be protected from in-stream mining, damming, intensive irrigation and over-extraction of water but not impact on Traditional Owners rights... more

New vision for Straddie – some positives BUT some negatives

Wildlife Queensland congratulates the Bligh Government on their plan to phase out destructive mining practices on North Stradbroke Island (NSI) by 2027. Finally the Government is planning for the future... more

Democracy dismantled for the sake of growth

Rather than addressing uncontrolled population growth, the Premier is promoting further urbanisation. the Queensland Government will take responsibility for the creation of three new cities in South East Queensland as part of their plan to 'manage' growth ... more

PlatypusWatch Gold Coast

A campaign to raise awareness of platypus issues, including habitat requirements, threats, and the importance of reporting sightings began in October last year at the Platypus Day held at Fleay’s Wildlife Park ... more

Developments in Pest Eradication Practices

The Vertebrate Pest Committee, in consultation with stakeholders, has developed a series of draft codes of practice and standard operating procedures to assist industry, land owners to undertake pest management practices effectively and humanely ... more

2010 National Cane Toad Eradication Program

In 2009, Community groups from across the Top End of Australia were involved in removing cane toads from their local areas. 82 volunteers removed almost 10,000 toads from northern NSW, QLD, NT and WA in just one week ... more

Proposed Nathan Dam - the situation is now crystal clear

A meeting was held on 11 May 2010 with representatives of SunWater and much of the confusion that clouded the Nathan Dam issue has now been clarified. Although Wildlife Queensland would have desired a different outcome - like no dam at all - we at last know where we stand.. more

Main Roads heading in the right direction but wildlife still at risk

The Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace recently accepted an independent report recommending a revised design for the upgrade of the New England Highway from Hampton to Geham following concerns about the removal of 1400 trees as part of upgrade plans to widen the road... more

Under our wing - a spectacular new relationship emerges

Wildlife Queensland is proud to announce a new relationship with the Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network (RBRN). In July 2010, RBRN will come under the umbrella of Wildlife Queensland as one of their important and effective communication networks ... more

What is the true cost of Queensland’s industrial lead economic recovery?

A great question but the answer is not known. There is certainty there will be environmental harm, loss of prime agricultural land, damage to 'endangered' and 'of concern' regional ecosystems, massive dredging and reclamation. This will have disastrous impacts on wildlife all in the name of progress ... more

Discussions on marine park promise

Wildlife Queensland had a positive meeting with the Hon. Kate Jones, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability to press the need for urgent action to honour the Beattie promise for border to border marine parks for Queensland ... more

The forgotten Gulf and Torres Strait – protect all our marine life

There is currently no marine park protection in the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria including the Western Cape. To press these issues Wildlife Queensland had a meeting with Hon Kate Jones Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability ... more

Increasing Antagonism Against Wildlife

Wildlife Queensland is aware of findings of a recent survey that reflects increasing public antagonism towards flying foxes and crocodiles. This is extremely disappointing. Perhaps it is fuelled by a lack of understanding of many people of the critical role fauna play in key ecological processes ... more

Wildlife Queensland at the Queensland Growth Summit

'Growth can make Queensland more liveable, prosperous and sustainable,' stated the Hon. Anna Bligh, Premier for Queensland. The Premier's speech at the Queensland Growth Summit demonstrated government and developer views that population growth is a positive thing for Queensland ... more

Stock Route Coalition makes significant progress

The Stock Route Coalition, of which Wildlife Queensland is a key member, has every reason to be pleased with known achievements to date ... but the final changes will only surface with certainty when legislation is passed much later this year..... more

Australia’s native vegetation framework - will it work?

In November 2009 the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) endorsed the draft document and released it for public comment in February 2010. Once finalised more specific guidelines will be developed to support the framework... more

Call for action on border to border marine parks along Queensland coast

In 1998 the Beattie Government made an election promise to deliver border to border marine parks for Queensland ... a number of gaps remaining that require immediate government attention... more

Garrett’s double standards on shark protection

Just weeks after playing a major role in negotiations to counter the global decline of migratory sharks the Australian Government has caved into pressure from recreational fishers and charter boat operators with regard to their protection in Australia waters... more

Is Queensland's Premier on track to her 2020 Parks commitment?

Two years after the Queensland Premier commitment to expand national parks by 50% and double all protected areas by 2020, the Government is still a long way off target.

Some significant progress has been made... more

For more information about Wildlife Queensland's activities, email or call +61 7 3221 0194.