The Australian government has angered koala conservationists by again delaying a decision on whether to add the national icon to the country's endangered species list.
Last year, a Senate inquiry into the status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population heard that there could be as few as 43,000 koalas left in the country.
Millions have been killed since the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century. Numbers were slashed again during open hunting seasons in the early 20th century and in recent decades tens of thousands have died as a result of habitat destruction, disease -- including Chlamydia and retrovirus -- and dog attacks.
On average, four koalas are admitted every week to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, the country's largest wildlife hospital, after being hit by cars. The animals are also vulnerable to bushfires and drought.
However, environment minister Tony Burke says he needs 10 more weeks to consider new information from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on where the marsupial is under the greatest threat. It's the second time he's delayed the decision, which was initially due in October.
Continued: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/16/world/asia/koala-australia-endangered/
Showing posts with label Australian Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australian Government. Show all posts
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Monday, July 25, 2011
Australia planning wildlife corridors
Wildlife Corridor Planning
As part of its commitment to taking a strategic landscape-scale approach to biodiversity, the Australian Government will invest $10.0 million over three years in the National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
The Plan will develop and pilot a national framework for Wildlife Corridor Planning to ensure effective migration of species and guide landscape‑scale conservation planning and investment across governments, private investors and regional community groups.
Environmental Stewardship
The Australian Government will provide $84.2 million over four years for the continuation and expansion of the Environmental Stewardship Program to continue to protect Australia's unique biodiversity.
As part of the $2 billion Caring for our Country initiative, the Environmental Stewardship Program recognises the important role that landholders play in protecting our environment. The program involves partnerships with private landowners through contracts (of up to 15 years) to manage and protect nationally significant habitats which are home to threatened species.
The funding will support conservation of up to an additional 34,000 hectares of habitat through new contracts initiated over the next four years.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wildlife-corridors-australia.html
As part of its commitment to taking a strategic landscape-scale approach to biodiversity, the Australian Government will invest $10.0 million over three years in the National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
The Plan will develop and pilot a national framework for Wildlife Corridor Planning to ensure effective migration of species and guide landscape‑scale conservation planning and investment across governments, private investors and regional community groups.
Environmental Stewardship
The Australian Government will provide $84.2 million over four years for the continuation and expansion of the Environmental Stewardship Program to continue to protect Australia's unique biodiversity.
As part of the $2 billion Caring for our Country initiative, the Environmental Stewardship Program recognises the important role that landholders play in protecting our environment. The program involves partnerships with private landowners through contracts (of up to 15 years) to manage and protect nationally significant habitats which are home to threatened species.
The funding will support conservation of up to an additional 34,000 hectares of habitat through new contracts initiated over the next four years.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wildlife-corridors-australia.html
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