NEWS DESK
Protections for, and from, wildlife WARNINGS have been issued to be wary of wildlife on land and at sea for their protection and to avoid personal injury. The Conservation Regulator wants visitors to keep their distance from whales following as videos of dangerous interactions increase on social media. Videos of swimmers, surfers and people in boats getting too close to whales posted on social media encouraging behaviour which threatens the animal’s health and welfare. Investigations are being made into nine reports of boats being too close to whales this season as well as individuals seen in several videos posted online. Water patrols are being carried out this month as part of the Conservation Regulator’s Operation Calyx to make sure people is keeping their distance from whales, dolphins and seals. The Arthur Rylah Institute’s Whaleface project has this season reported 125 sightings of southern-right whales along the Victorian coast, including seven cow-calf pairs in the south-west. Swimmers and surfers must stay at least 50 metres away from whales, while boats must keep at least 200 metres - or two soccer fields - away and jet skis 300 metres away. Wildlife crime can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) warns that spring means swooping native birds, such as magpies and masked lapwings. Senior wildlife projects officer, Katherine Whittaker, said some native birds swoop to defend their eggs and young for the six to eight weeks until they leave the nest. “Swooping is basically a scare tactic to warn people and animals not to come near their nesting young. Birds may swoop people or animals, so be mindful of your dogs too,” Whittaker said. “However, not all birds swoop to protect their eggs and young during the breeding season, so don't be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the
area.” Whittaker’s tips to avoid being swooped: know your local swooping hotspots; avoid the area if possible; move quickly, but do not run; cover your head with a hat, helmet or umbrella, but don’t wave it around; do not harass or feed birds. To miss known swooping hotspots or to report a swooping incident on Victoria's interactive swooping bird map, visit wildlife.vic.gov.au/ managing- wildlife/swooping-birds
Picture: Yanni
Trees help koalas move on in life THE Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation 2022 project is well underway, with more than 14,000 trees planted this year around Balnarring and Merricks, and another 6000 scheduled for planting by the end of October. This year marks the project’s third year to establish vegetation corridors linking fragmented populations of koalas. Thousands of trees were planted at Arthurs Seat, Somers and Balnarring during 2020/2021. Group president, co-founder and 2022 Mornington Peninsula Shire Citizen of the Year Dirk Jansen said the project had received support from property owners providing land for tree planting, and volunteers. “We would love to welcome more of the community to join us at our planting days throughout September and October,” he said. “Many hands make light work. It is very satisfying to be a part of a group of keen volunteers and plant five hundred trees in just two to three hours. It is a lovely way to start the weekend.” Jansen received the citizen of the year award for his work in establishing the MPKC. What
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Frankston Times
27 September 2022
began as a Facebook group to share concerns about the decline in numbers of koalas on the peninsula, has now grown to a 300-member Landcare group s. He said the loss of indigenous vegetation was the main reason for the decline of koalas on the peninsula. “More than 70 per cent of koala and wildlife habitat on the peninsula is on private property. Therefore, it is not good enough to expect Parks Victoria or the government to do more to save our wildlife, it is a community issue and needs a community effort,” he said. Jansen said providing indigenous vegetation links between habitat pockets meant koalas would be less likely to be injured or killed crossing roads, caught in fences, or being attacked by dogs. “We have so many opportunities for volunteers to make a real difference to our environment and provide shelter and food for koalas and other species. As a community, we are stronger when we work together,” he said. Details: mpkoalas.org.au/