News Release |
NSW Government
sentences Quoll and Dingo to extinction in |
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This week NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus announced plans for a large scale 1080 aerial baiting program in the northern end of Kosciusko National Park. This program, which is intended to rid the Adaminaby and Yaouk Valley areas of wild dogs, could very well lead to the extinction of resident populations of tiger quoll and dingo populations in the park. Humane Society International (HSI) is asking Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, to intervene. The mainland population of the tiger quoll is listed as Endangered under the Federal Minister’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and actions that may significantly impact upon the species must be referred to the Federal Minister for his assessment and approval. The Minister’s department recently issued Guidelines, which recommend aerial baiting programs in tiger quoll habitat be referred for approval. All that remains of the tiger quoll are a few remnant populations and experts fear that a 1080 baiting program could tip the species over the edge. Studies carried out in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, on the impacts of aerial 1080 baiting have indicated 60% to 100% reductions in local populations of tiger quoll. Also at risk is Kosciusko’s rare native dingo population. There is recognition amongst the scientific community of the threatened nature of this species. A 1080 poisoning campaign of the breadth prescribed would inflict immense damage. “Under no circumstances does HSI support the use of 1080 baiting as a method of pest control. It is inhumane and indiscriminate in the species it kills”, said Nicola Beynon, HSI’s Wildlife and Habitat Program Manager. “The program proposed by the NSW Government does not provide any long term solution to the problem of wild dogs in Kosciusko. It will only serve to devastate or possibly wipe out the last few tiger quolls and pure bred dingos”. According to Minister Debus, the aerial baiting program is expected to be underway by mid-Spring, following consultation with local farmers, the NSW Farmers Association, Rural Lands Protection Boards and other stakeholders. HSI is concerned that, as yet, the proposal to begin 1080 aerial baiting in Kosciusko has not been referred to the Federal Minister for his approval. HSI is asking Minister Campbell to use the powers available to him in the EPBCA Act to “call in” the proposal for assessment and to put a stop to it. |
For further information please contact enquiry@hsi.org.au PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 Australia Tel: +61 (02) 9973 1728 Fax: +61 (02) 9973 1729 |