Media statements - Parks and Wildlife Service

Media statements (429)

Wildlife officer Cam Craigie with one of the rehabilitated juvenile loggerhead turtles

Mass release of endangered loggerhead turtles

Details: Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2018 15:21

Thirty-three post hatchling loggerhead turtles will be released into Ningaloo Marine Park tomorrow after being found washed ashore along the south-west coast of Western Australia. The release is part of conservation efforts to help this critically endangered marine species, with only an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 females known to nest annually in WA. The turtles were among 54 found by community members on beaches and reported to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Once reported, the turtles were taken by the Parks and Wildlife Service to Perth Zoo vets for assessment and transferred to two of the State's turtle rehabilitation centres at AQWA and Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre. When found, these turtles weighed between 100-200 grams and eight months on they now weigh…

$400,000 upgrade for Ningaloo campground

Details: Published: Monday, 09 April 2018 16:16

The Mesa campground in the popular Cape Range National Park is now open for campers following a $400,000 upgrade. Located in the northern end of the park within the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, the campground overlooks a small north-facing bay and has been a popular spot for campers for decades. The upgrade has seen the development of a new loop road with 23 hard surfaced camping bays and more than 500 metres of paths, which provide access for all to beaches, day use areas, visitor car parks and toilets. The spacious camping/caravan bays are 8m wide by 12m deep, and the new toilet blocks and picnic tables have been designed using materials that are suitable for the coastal environment. The area is now serviced…

Community input sought on Perth Water Precinct Plan

Details: Published: Thursday, 05 April 2018 11:15

Perth residents are being encouraged to have their say on the future of the Perth Water precinct - the section of the Swan River and its foreshore between the Narrows and Windan bridges. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service is running a preliminary survey as part of the consultation process and is asking for community members to participate.Survey - Perth Water Precinct Plan.

Visitors to south coast urged to put safety first

Details: Published: Monday, 26 March 2018 10:06

With Easter holidays fast approaching, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is reminding people to take care when visiting national parks along the south coast. DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service Albany district manager Peter Hartley said while the weather on the south coast was often pleasant at this time of year, the Southern Ocean could also be unpredictable and dangerous. “Every Easter there is an influx of visitors to the beautiful and unique areas the department manages, especially with the attraction of catching Australian salmon,” Mr Hartley said. “The weather can change quickly in this region and large, unpredictable swells commonly occur. Even on calm days, waves can sweep over rocky headlands and sloping rocks, making them very slippery. Sea spray and rain…

Hamelin Bay whale stranding update – 4.45pm

Details: Published: Saturday, 24 March 2018 17:17

Parks and Wildlife Service advises that of the seven pilot whales released yesterday three have re- stranded while the remaining four have not been sighted. The three that returned to the beach have been euthanased. Incident controller Jeremy Chick said the department had conducted a comprehensive sea, air and ground search and had not found any additional or live whales. “We ask the public to keep a look out and if anyone sees a stranded whale to please report it to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055,” Mr Chick said. “All the deceased whales have been removed at the main stranding site and the additional outlying sites. There are two deceased whales remaining in inaccessible terrain and a plan is being developed to remove them…