Threatened Species Day

National Threatened Species Day Sunday the 7th of September 2025 Overview On the 7th of September, 1936, the last known Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) died at Hobart Zoo. As of 1996, we mark the 7th of September as “National Threatened Species Day”; a day to stop and reflect on species that we have lost, and may lose in the future. It is an important time to highlight Australian native plant and animal species, and the conservation efforts that are vital to...

World Elephant Day 2025

Mitigation of human-elephant conflict will be the focus of World Elephant Day celebrations to be held in Coimbatore on August 12, 2025 World Elephant Day reminds us to preserve biodiversity What began in 2012 as a plea to stop poaching has grown into a full-scale movement linking scientists, rangers, and ordinary citizens with one goal: to keep elephants alive in their own habitats. World Elephant Day this year turns the spotlight on Matriarchs & Memories, urging us to guard both...

William T Cooper – Australian, bird artist of international repute

  When Sir David Attenborough, the beloved and iconic naturalist is the ‘host’ , and he’s interviewing a wildlife artist , you know that ‘artist’ can only be impressive. Enter William T Cooper, an Australian with rare and complete talent in bringing birds and all things natural to…. life. In one part of the interview, Attenborough asked ‘Bill’ why he spent so much effort on the bird’s feathers?  Replied Bill – I care about the detail of life. Admiring that...

Snakes – why such a bad reputation?

Last week was world snake week Are you wondering why do snakes have such a  fearsome reputation?? …. while some snakes are venomous and potentially dangerous, the negative reputation of snakes is often exaggerated and based on a combination of biological predispositions, cultural symbolism, historical persecution, and a lack of understanding about their ecological role.  Here are some ideas about why : 1. Venom and Perceived Threat: Many people fear snakes due to the potential danger of venomous species, and...

The Albatross ….. a big bird in BIGGER trouble

Its world albatross day (June 19th) – here are some facts you might now know about his magnificent bird In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” a sailor kills an albatross and thereafter, as a punishment, is forced to wear its carcass around his neck. And so albatrosses came unfairly to represent a burden from which one couldn’t escape.  However, the literary phrase has it all backwards. It fails to capture the terrible burden humans place on this group of huge, majestic seabirds,...

World Oceans Conference ….. glimmer of hope

The UN Ocean conference has been heralded a success, with more countries ratifying a key treaty to protect marine life and more progress on curbing plastics and illegal fishing in our seas. Nearly 200 countries came together in Nice, France to discuss how to tackle the most pressing issues facing the oceans. The world’s seas are facing threats on multiple fronts from plastic pollution to climate change. Sir David Attenborough said ahead of the conference that he was “appalled” by...

World Oceans Day – The BIG problem with bottom trawling

Bottom trawling is a fishing practice that herds and captures the ‘target species’, like ground fish or crabs, by towing a net along the ocean floor. Fishers use trawls to catch species that live on or close to the seafloor such as cod, hake, shrimp, octopus, mullet, halibut or anglerfish. It also captures a lot of ‘by-catch’, unwanted or non-target fish that are not intended to be caught. Trawling destroys the natural seafloor habitat by essentially rototilling the seabed. All...

New Zealand Government pushes overhaul of freshwater rules

  From New Zealand Press (30/5/2025) A proposed shake-up of freshwater rules is drawing support from farmers and alarm from environmental advocates. On Thursday, the Government proposed overhauling several regulatory frameworks spanning housing, infrastructure and the environment. The proposals, alongside alternative options, are out for public consultation. Among them is a major rewrite of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), which guides how regional councils manage and protect rivers, lakes, and aquifers. In what has been framed as...

Watts new ‘environment’ minister, Bowen gets ‘climate’ in Australia cabinet reshuffle

Chris Bowen has been confirmed as climate and energy minister in the new Albanese government, while Murray Watt is appointed minister for the environment and water as part of a reshuffle announced on Monday. Josh Wilson is retained as assistant minister for climate and energy, and Madeleine King retains resources, and Catherine King retains transport. Former environment minister Tanya Plibersek is moved to social services. Tim Ayres is appointed minister for industry, and Kate Thwaites is named as special envoy...

Oceans | about the High Seas Treaty

What is a HIgh Seas Treaty all about…..? On 4 March 2023, after almost two decades of discussion, including five years of negotiations, the world’s governments finalized the text of a new United Nations (UN) Treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), under the UN Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS). After the text was legally “scrubbed” and translated into the six official UN languages, the final Treaty text was...

A to Z of wildlife | the mighty albatross!

the albatross is a magnificent seabird known for its impressive size and incredible flying abilities, particularly its ability to soar for long distances using wind currents. They have the largest wingspan of any bird, reaching up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) across.        LearnFromNature  Tweet  ...

Q&A | WHY …. do bats hang upside down?

The drop and fly theory When you watch a bird take off from the ground, you will notice they need a run-up. In order to get off the ground, flying animals needs to achieve what scientists call “lift” to overcome gravity. Many big birds, and bats, do not have strong enough wing muscles to generate the lift required to take off from a standing position (like a helicopter can). Bats cannot run so it would be almost impossible for them...

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