Archives for March 1, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

Africa has unveiled a new plan to manage its swelling elephant numbers. This culling proposal has in recent years split conservation groups.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) opposes the culling programme stating that, “It is cruel and dividing elephant families.” They think cross-border megaparks and contraceptives programmes are the best solution.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), on the other hand, is applauding the government’s move stating that, “It is necessary to protect other species and especially native plants from the swelling numbers”. They also state, “Given elephant’s ability to transform an entire landscape, action is needed, or the result will be mass starvation of elephants and other species.”

The elephant culling will take place in the famous Kruger park. Thousands of the country’s 20,000 elephants are targeted for slaughter.

Animal rights organisations are warning and threatening with boycotts, mainly from European countries. Threats of boycotts have, however, had minimal impact in pro-whaling countries so far.

The animal rights organisations are concerned that commercial interests in elephant trade (meat, skin, ivory) are an underlying motive for the culling. South Africa wants to lift the ban on ivory trade.

The debate on elephant culling raises the issue: Is it acceptable to kill wild animals for utilization of natural resources?

There is some more information at Planet Ark.

Cheers,
Ann Novek
In Sweden.

Did you know that Gunnedah is The Koala Capital of the World?

The shire of Gunnedah is in the lower Namoi River Valley on the Liverpool Plains in northwest New South Wales and has a population of 12,819 people.

But how many koalas are there are in Gunnedah?

When I wrote ‘Are Koalas in Decline’ for the IPA Review a couple of years ago I had no idea that Gunnedah was a koala hot spot.

Indeed I didn’t even include Gunnedah in my list of known koala populations!

My article include comment that there area bout 59,000 koalas in the mulga-lands of southwest Queensland, 25,000 in southeast Queensland, 8,200 in North Coast NSW, and 27,000 on Kangaroo Island South Australia and that the population in Victoria could total one million.

When I was in Gunnedah earlier this week it was pouring with rain so I didn’t get any photographs of the koalas that on a fine day apparently wander the streets.

But here’s one from the photo gallery at www.infogunnedah.com.au

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And how many koalas are there in Australia?

“The Institute of Cetacean Research, in conjunction with Kyodo Senpaku and the Government of Japan, said today the Antarctic whale research program for the 2006/2007 austral summer season will be cut short as a result of a fire aboard the research mother vessel, the Nisshin Maru.

“ICR Director General, Dr Hiroshi Hatanaka said that after completing a thorough assessment of the Nisshin Maru following the 15 February fire, it was concluded that some of research equipment could not be recovered, and hence the ICR could not responsibly pursue the research activities as originally planned.

“Far from an embarrassment, the situation in the Antarctic was an unfortunate event that no-one could have predicted. Our thanks go out to the crew who are very able seamen and responded in a professional and responsible manner to the fire and subsequent repairs to the vessel. Their skills and experience must be applauded,” Dr Hatanaka said.

“However, after discussions this week regarding the condition of the vessel, we have decided to call them home.”

“While full power was restored, a more detailed inspection over the last few days shows that the Nisshin Maru is unable to be fully repaired at sea for the scientific research to continue. The repository, where much of the equipment and tools used for biological research are stored, was heavily damaged, which will not allow for the program to continue in the Antarctic for this summer.”

“Upon returning to Japan, the Nisshin Maru will undergo inspection to investigate the cause of the fire, after which it will enter dock for a thorough refurbishment and preparation for Japan’s Research Program in the western North Pacific (JARPN II), this year.

“Japan’s Program in the Antarctic (JARPA II) is a long-term research program and will resume again in December this year.”

Ends.