Media statements - Parks and Wildlife Service

Media statements (429)

Keep dogs away from baited areas

Details: Published: Thursday, 22 March 2018 15:00

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is urging people to keep their pet dogs away from Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park due to fox baiting being undertaken in the area. DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service nature conservation coordinator Ben Lullfitz said 1080 poison baits were regularly laid in the national park to protect native species from the threat of foxes, as part of the department’s Western Shield wildlife recovery program. “Pet owners should be aware that large areas of State forest, national parks and nature reserves are baited with 1080 baits throughout the year, including some in the Margaret River area,” he said. “The poison used in these baits is naturally occurring in the WA environment, so native species have a higher tolerance to it. …

A Bush Ranger cadet from Onslow abseiling at Karijini National Park.

State's most popular cadets program celebrates 20th anniversary

Details: Published: Thursday, 22 March 2018 13:53

Youth-based conservation and education program, Bush Rangers WA, celebrates milestone. Bush Rangers has the highest participation of Aboriginal students, female students and students with disability of any Cadets WA program. Western Australia's biggest cadets program, Bush Rangers WA, has celebrated its 20th year. Attending the annual Bush Rangers conference today in Perth, Environment Minister Stephen Dawson commended the program that encourages secondary school students to develop practical nature conservation skills and contribute to their local community. Since its inception in 1998, the program has seen more than 18,500 young people take part, contributing 1.9 million volunteer hours to conservation and community projects. There are currently 67 cadet units around the State from Kununurra to Esperance, comprising of more than 3200 secondary school students. Students take…

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Plan ahead this Easter long weekend

Details: Published: Wednesday, 21 March 2018 09:26

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is advising that all its 24 bookable campgrounds are fully booked for the Easter long weekend and there will be limited vacancies available at other campgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis. People planning to camp at non-bookable campgrounds over the Easter long weekend are advised to arrive as early as possible and have a back-up plan in case their preferred campground is full. Parks and Visitor Services Assistant Director Rod Annear said the Easter long weekend was always one of the busiest times of year for camping in Western Australia’s national parks and reserves. “In WA we have the ideal environment and climate for camping, and it is wonderful to see people valuing and appreciating our national parks,”…

Seabirds take a positive tern in Bunbury harbour

Details: Published: Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:43

Fairy terns have had one of their most successful breeding seasons at Bunbury’s outer harbour, with up to 70 pairs recorded nesting there this year. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) conservation projects officer Christine Taylor said the threatened seabirds migrated from the north-west coast each year looking for a feast of whitebait and a suitable beach to nest on. “Fairy terns nest together in a colony, often on the bare beach, laying their eggs on the sand just metres from one another. This makes them extremely vulnerable to disturbance from people, dogs and off-road vehicles,” she said. “Most years, up to several hundred birds head to the Leschenault Estuary, and while they have attempted to nest in several locations in the past, the…

Consultation begins on visionary plan for Fitzroy River

Details: Published: Friday, 09 March 2018 13:41

The McGowan Labor Government today reaffirmed its commitment to the Kimberley region by commencing community consultation to deliver a visionary plan for the Fitzroy River. The whole-of-Government approach will see the expansion of Fitzroy River National Park, and the development of a management plan of the Fitzroy catchment incorporating the water allocation plan to ensure the long-term health of the river and sustainable economic development. Traditional owners and representatives from Aboriginal groups, pastoralists, environmental organisations, government agencies and industry gathered today (March 9) at Fitzroy Crossing for a workshop hosted by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson, Regional Development and Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan, Water Minister Dave Kelly and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt. The Fitzroy River catchment contains significant cultural, environmental and economic values…