News

ORRCA’s Annual Census

Click here to find out more information

Members and Friends, this is your Invitation to:

The 2018 ORRCA Humpback Whale Migration Census

It’s a great day out. Simply pick your favourite headland and call or email the hotline to register your location so we know where you will be. Make sure you print off some ORRCA sighting log sheets from our website.

Then on the day, pack a picnic and your supplies; Binoculars, camera, a pen/pencil for recording details, a chair/rug to sit on, warm waterproof clothes and off you go and enjoy the sights that unfold in this great whale migration.

Remember to record your sightings!

2018 NWC Grants now open

WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR ENCLOSURE AND EQUIPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM FOR 2018-2019 OPENS 1 JULY 2018

Announcing the opening of the 2018-2019 wildlife rehabilitator grants program, NSW Chair, Audrey Koosmen said

“how pleased my committee and I are that Representatives and Alternates present at the NWC May General Meeting voted to allow for one grant to be given to a group demonstrating need in a particular area”.

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Government flags ban

Government flags ban on wildlife carers treating injured & orphaned kangaroos

An Australian state government wants to ban wildlife shelters from treating injured kangaroos, wombats, possums and cockatoos, claiming they’re “over-abundant” species.

Kanga pouch

The Victorian government has published a discussion paper outlining proposed changes to wildlife management regulations and is seeking public comment on the review.

It also flags a crackdown on wildlife carers releasing rehabilitated kangaroos and wombats on to their properties in rural areas, claiming this can result in ” unnaturally high concentrations of released wildlife” with “significant impacts” for neighbours.

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Photo competition

ANIMALS IN THE WILD PHOTO COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION 2018

An initiative of Greens MP David Shoebridge

Animals in the Wild is a much-loved celebration of nature in the wild, unthreatened, and unharmed by humans. We want to see your pictures of quokkas, wallabies, cockatoos, koalas and other beautiful Australian wildlife.

The competition is part of the Greens campaign against recreational hunting, and in particular, the Sporting Shooters Association arms fair ‘Huntfest’ which blights Narooma every year. Animals in the Wild encourages you to shoot with a camera, not a gun.

The winning entries will be announced in Eurobodalla on the weekend of the June long weekend.

Saving our Species News

Welcome to the autumn issue of the Saving our Species newsletter!

Volunteering with SoS can help threatened species as well as create great inroads to careers in ecology and conservation. And, of course, our volunteers’ efforts greatly increase our SoS projects’ achievements and outcomes on the ground. In this edition we feature six strong ‘Volunteer Voices’ from across the state, leading up to National Volunteer Week from 21-27 May.

We also explore some of our SoS science and research work in action; community support for restoring habitat for koalas in the north and glossy black-cockatoos in the southern highlands; and inspiring stories on plants, people and events.

Click here for the latest news, success stories and visuals – highlighting some of our conservation projects.

We hope you enjoy SoS News.

Linda Bell
Manager
Saving our Species

Q fever factsheet

Q fever is a bacterial infection that can cause a severe flu-like illness. For some people, Q fever can affect their health and ability to work for many years. The bacteria are spread from animals, mainly cattle, sheep and goats. Even people who do not have contact with animals may be infected. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect people who are at risk. Screening is required to identify who can be vaccinated.

What is Q fever?

Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It is spread to humans from cattle, sheep and goats and a range of other domestic and wild animals. Even people who do not have contact with animals may be infected. (more…)

Pests or pals? Living with urban wildlife

Brushtail Possum in a box Calamitous cockies, pushy possums and the odd snake: love them or loathe them, Australian cities are rich in native wildlife that’s adapted to an urban lifestyle.

And even though they can be annoying and often become pests — as anyone who has had possums living in their roof will attest — we can co-exist happily with our city-dwelling feathered, furry and scaly friends.

That’s right — even possums.

Here are a few ways to live alongside the animals on your doorstep without calling pest control every other day.

How do I stop possums nibbling on my herbs …

Boil chillies and garlic in water, let it cool, strain and pour it in a spray bottle, and spray your garden.

This stinky, spicy concoction will keep possums away, along with loads of other herb-chomping creatures, said Sarah Bekessy, an urban ecologist at RMIT in Melbourne.

The natural chemical weapon contains capsaicin from chilli, which is the active ingredient in pepper spray, and irritating sulphur-based garlic compounds, which can kill insects on contact.

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