NEWS DESK
Reward for skink sleuths SEVERAL elusive swamp skinks have been rediscovered in parks on the Mornington Peninsula. A small team of scientists and field naturalists from La Trobe University rediscovered the skinks (Lissolepis coventryi) which have not been caught in the area for 30 years. The last anecdotal sighting was in 2012. So far, 13 of these “mini Godzillas” have been measured and weighed after being caught in Elliott traps – which allow for live capture – and under tiles. “Self-confessed reptile fanatics find swamp skinks appealing due to their fussy and secretive habits. They live in swampy areas and shelter in burrows. They display highly territorial behaviour and can be aggressive to unwanted visitors,” team leader David De Angelis, said. The skinks are black and gold and have a blue mouth lining. The scientists were creative in their efforts to observe the skinks: they installed low fences to create travel lines leading to surveillance cameras and baited their traps with honey, rolled oats, peanut butter and sardines. Scientists also checked beneath hundreds of concrete roofing tiles left in the swampy areas the skinks prefer. Continuing habitat loss is the biggest threat to this rare skink which is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. Its survival is also affected by weed invasion, inappropriate fire regimes and introduced predators, such as foxes and cats. “This collaborative project between Parks Victoria and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria is a rare opportunity for members of the public to assist with monitoring this state-significant species,” Mr De Angelis said. “It is contributing to our knowledge of the swamp skink’s distribution on the peninsula and research into the most effective ways of surveying for it.”
Nice to see you again: Scientists are thrilled with the rediscovery of swamp skinks, which they describe as “Mini Godzillas”, on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Supplied
Shire pushes for bag ban
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is urging the state government to “continue to lead the way in banning single-use plastic bags and containers in Victoria”. It has written to the Premier Daniel Andrews and energy, environment and climate change minister Lily D’Ambrosio to say it “continues to strongly support the proposed amendments to the Environment Protection Act to ban the sale of single use plastic bags”. The shire says protecting the environment and marine life is an “important initiative for Mornington Peninsula Shire”. “The ecological and environmental impact caused by the increased use of plastic bags creates a significant threat to Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula,” the letter said. “Plastic bags can take 20-100 years to break down and are often mistaken for food by marine animals.” The shire joined with the Association of Bayside Municipality and member councils to endorse the push to ban plastic bags. New mayor Cr Bryan Payne said communities have “voiced their concern regarding single use plastic bags and advocated for the shire to act”. “While the shire supports initiatives through education programs and policies, we believe it is essential that efforts … are also supported by state government legislation and policy. “We encourage the state to continue to work towards a ban on single-use plastic bags.”
Mornington News 5 December 2017
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