Media statements - Parks and Wildlife Service

Media statements (442)

Snakes on the move

Details: Published: Thursday, 14 November 2013 10:17

As the weather heats up the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) is reminding people to be on high alert for snakes. DPaW wildlife officer Matthew Swan said snake encounters were on the rise as reptiles emerged from their winter hideouts. “Snakes are most active over the next few months and we expect the number of calls from concerned residents who encounter a snake will rise sharply,” he said. “When it comes to snakes, extra care should be taken when venturing outdoors particularly near swamps, lakes and bush land.” “Snakes will normally try to avoid humans, however, people still need to be aware and take precautions such as wearing long pants and enclosed shoes when walking along bush trails.” Mr Swan said most snake bites…

DPaW marine ranger Erin Clitheroe give a boater at Penguin Island a free rubbish bag

Boater alert – new rubbish guidelines for Penguin Island

Details: Published: Thursday, 14 November 2013 09:44

Local boaters are being urged to adopt a new rubbish removal policy when visiting Penguin Island, to help keep wildlife safe from invasive pests. People accessing the island by private vessel can pick up a Keep Australia Beautiful disposable bag at the Rockingham Wild Encounters ferry office at Mersey Point and use it to store their rubbish until it can be placed in bins on the mainland. The Department of Parks and Wildlife’s (DPaW) Penguin Island manager, David Charles, said the new “take your rubbish with you” policy applied to all island visitors. “By asking people to take their rubbish home with them, we are removing a potential food source for destructive animals such as black rats,” Mr Charles said. “DPaW has recently conducted a…

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Penguin Island

Damaged visitor facilities at Purnululu National Park

Closure of Purnululu National Park due to fire damage

Details: Published: Monday, 11 November 2013 09:52

The Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) advises that Purnululu National Park will remain closed following a recent bushfire. DPaW East Kimberley District Manager Luke Bentley said significant damage to visitor facilities, including important trail markers and toilets, meant that the park could not be reopened before the wet season closure, which occurs annually on 1 December. “This decision has been made in the interests of visitor safety and amenity,” Mr Bentley said. “We have started repairing damaged infrastructure in Purnululu, but this will take some time, so we’re going to keep the park closed for the time being. “Purnululu National Park is scheduled to reopen on 1 April 2014.” Mr Bentley said the fire, which burnt through 24,000 hectares of the park from 24…

Hot Rods in the Park at Yanchep

Details: Published: Friday, 08 November 2013 08:51

Hot rod fans are in for a treat this month when an impressive line-up of classic cars rolls into Yanchep National Park. The annual Hot Rods in the Park event will be held at Yanchep National Park, managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), on Sunday 17 November. DPaW’s Jennifer Green said the hot rods would be on display from 11am. “Come along tot eh park to see an impressive gathering of ‘lil’ deuce coupes’, highboy roadsters, fat fender Fords and old classics such as Chevys, including Corvettes near the historic Yanchep Inn,” Ms Green said. “Fans can get up close to the cars to admire the meticulous attention to detail their owners give them. “Usual park entry fees still apply, although once…

Penguin Island reopens after rat baiting success

Details: Published: Thursday, 07 November 2013 15:57

Penguin Island, home to Western Australia’s largest colony of little penguins, has reopened to tourists after a successful baiting program targeting destructive black rats. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said up to 5,000 rats had been eliminated from the island, increasing the chances of penguins and other seabirds breeding successfully. “The baiting program, which began in January this year, was necessary because introduced rats had become established on Penguin Island and were attacking birds, eggs, penguin chicks and native skinks,” Mr Jacob said. “I am pleased to say that since mid-May, only two rats have been detected on motion sensor cameras and baits have been laid to destroy these final few animals. “This is a dramatic reduction in rat numbers and it is hoped that after…