Media statements - Parks and Wildlife Service

Media statements (397)

Extra bushfire protection for Great Eastern Highway

Details: Published: Monday, 03 April 2017 10:03

A series of new firebreaks will be established by the Department of Parks and Wildlife along a 75km stretch of Great Eastern Highway in the Goldfields to provide additional protection to motorists and firefighters during bushfires. Parks and Wildlife Goldfields fire management regional leader Ryan Butler said the firebreaks would be established between Bullabulling and Karalee, and mostly in Boorabbin and Goldfields Woodlands national parks, over the next two years. “These firebreaks will complement the existing breaks and provide an enhanced buffer in areas of highly flammable vegetation along the highway,” he said. “Once completed, people travelling along this part of the highway will be better protected during bushfires, it will be safer for firefighters to work near the highway, and it will also reduce…

Irukandji presence in Ningaloo Reef

Details: Published: Saturday, 01 April 2017 11:32

Irukandji presence in Ningaloo Reef The Department of Parks and Wildlife is reminding all visitors to Ningaloo Reef to be aware of the presence of jellyfish following a number of reported stings and sightings of jellyfish in the water and on beaches. This includes one sting from the uncommon, but potentially harmful jellyfish (Keesingia gigas) presumed to be capable of causing Irukandji Syndrome. People should be aware of the potential dangers of all jellyfish including Irukandji when swimming or walking beaches, avoid touching jellyfish of any species; be aware of the signs and symptoms of Irukandji Syndrome, and understand first aid procedures and strategies for reducing the risk of being stung. While most Irukandji jellyfish are small, transparent and often not seen, Keesingia gigas are…

Grant Capes, Fitzroy Valley District High School (left); Environment Minister (middle); and Kurt Skeen, Fitzroy Valley District High School (right)

Minister welcomes WA's future rangers

Details: Published: Friday, 31 March 2017 15:17

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has acknowledged the leadership of school-based conservationists in creating Western Australia's next generation of park rangers. More than 3,700 primary and secondary students from across the State currently participate in the Bush Rangers and River Rangers programs co-ordinated by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Significantly, Bush Rangers has 26 per cent Aboriginal and 47 per cent female participation, the highest rates across all Cadets WA programs. About 100 Bush Ranger and River Ranger unit leaders met in Perth last week to exchange ideas and plan program activities over the next 12 months. Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said: "The Bush Rangers programs in the Kimberley and other remote parts of the State have been highly successful in creating pathways for careers…

Predatory crocodile kills livestock and threatens landowners

Details: Published: Wednesday, 29 March 2017 15:30

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has today captured and shot a rogue estuarine (saltwater) crocodile that was responsible for killing livestock near Kununurra. East Kimberley district manager Bill Dempsey said during the last six months, the 3.5m crocodile ventured onto rural residential properties on the Lower Ord River and displayed aggressive behaviour toward landowners and their livestock. “A vet has confirmed the crocodile recently killed a horse, and savaged a cow that later had to be put down. The same crocodile is also suspected of killing a domestic dog,” he said. “While the Lower Ord is known to be crocodile habitat, and is outside the Lake Kununurra Crocodile Management Zone, this animal’s aggressive behaviour posed a serious threat to human safety…

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Historic milestone for Marmion Marine Park

Details: Published: Tuesday, 21 March 2017 12:18

Marmion Marine Park, the first marine park in Western Australia, celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. Situated offshore from Perth’s northern suburbs between Trigg Island and Burns Beach, Marmion Marine Park features lagoons, reefs and small islands that provide habitats for seabirds, marine mammals and other remarkably diverse marine life. Marmion Marine Park Coordinator Melissa Evans said the creation of the park in 1987 introduced West Australians to the concept of marine protected areas and began a movement of conserving areas and providing special places for people to enjoy, and learn about the spectacular marine life of WA. “Thirty years later, the marine park attracts as many as 1.75 million visits each year and has become Perth’s primary recreational water activity spot,”…