Media statements - Parks and Wildlife Service

Media statements (410)

Safety distances required when within 300m of a whale

Whale watching safety in the Kimberley

Details: Published: Wednesday, 23 August 2017 11:01

Humpback whale migration and calving season has begun in the Kimberley region with these giants of the sea putting on a show for visitors and residents. While spectacular to watch, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is reminding people in recreational vessels to keep a safe distance from the humpback whales. DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service West Kimberley district manager Craig Olejnik said it was important that people on boats were not risking their safety and the safety of the animals by getting too close. “WA’s humpback whale population has continued to recover over the last 50 years with more than 30,000 swimming past the Kimberley coast from July through to September,” Mr Olejnik said. “It is a fantastic time for spotting whales…

Chuditch population going strong at Julimar

Details: Published: Monday, 21 August 2017 10:17

Monitoring at Julimar State Forest has confirmed that the site is home to one of the healthiest known chuditch populations in Western Australia. Native animal monitoring and 1080 fox baiting has been undertaken at Julimar since 1992 and is delivered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ (DBCA) flagship fauna recovery program, Western Shield. DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service officer Rebecca Kay said the chuditch is a threatened native species and is vulnerable to predation by the feral European red fox. Ms Kay said the number of chuditch captured during annual monitoring in July showed that fox baiting in the area was having a positive effect on native animals. “The recent fauna trapping undertaken by staff from the Perth Hills district at Julimar State…

10-year plan for Albany’s iconic conservation reserves

Details: Published: Tuesday, 15 August 2017 14:47

•State Government releases management plan for Albany coast parks and reserves•Area extends along the coast and hinterland from Hay River in the west to the Pallinup River in the north-east, and includes nine island nature reserves The McGowan Government has today released the final plan for coast parks and reserves around Albany. The plan replaces the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve Management Plan 1995, West Cape Howe National Park Management Plan 1995 and the South Coast Regional Management Plan 1992. Albany coast parks and reserves are well known for their high conservation, recreation and heritage values and include several large, intact conservation reserves that protect high plant species diversity and important habitat for threatened flora and fauna such as the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo. The…

Western Australia's first prescribed burning forum begins

Details: Published: Wednesday, 09 August 2017 10:24

The first prescribed burning forum of its kind in WA to be held in Busselton from today International, national and State experts gathering to discuss best practice in prescribed burning Three-day forum is being hosted by the Office of Bushfire Risk Management Leaders in bushfire mitigation from local, interstate and international partner agencies have been brought together in Busselton today by Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan and Environment Minister Stephen Dawson for Western Australia's first prescribed burning forum. The Burning Question: Now & Beyond, Western Australian Prescribed Burning Forum 2017 convenes experts in the field to share their perspective and enhance the co-ordination and delivery of prescribed burning programs across the State. Forum participants will hear from leading American prescribed burning expert, Mike Dueitt, Director…

Crocodile removed from Lake Kununurra

Details: Published: Friday, 04 August 2017 16:55

An estuarine (saltwater) crocodile has been trapped and removed from Lake Kununurra. East Kimberley district wildlife officer Steven Leeder from the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said the 2.6m crocodile was yesterday removed from an operational trap on the lake. “Relocation was not an option in this case, so officers made the decision to euthanase the animal,” Mr Leeder said. “The size of the crocodile and its ability to move quickly made it a considerable threat to people using the lake. “Action needed to be taken as Lake Kununurra is a popular recreation area for waterskiers, boaters and swimmers and is also a designated Crocodile Risk Mitigation Area.” An estuarine crocodile with similar markings was sighted by a…