Humane Society International Newsletter March 2013 Protecting Wildlife on the Frontline

Volume 15 • Issue 2 • July 2009

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Humane Society International Inc. ABN 63 510 927 032

PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 AustraliaTelephone (02) 9973 1728 • Facsimile (02) 9973 1729 • Email [email protected] Volume 19 • Issue 1 • March 2013

PROTECTING WILDLIFE ON THE FRONTLINE

As our appeal to you said, “One of the most horrifically cruel and devastatingly damaging crimes against nature is the burgeoning international and illegal wildlife trade and the poaching that supplies it. Every minute of the day, every day of the week and every week of the year, this disgusting trade grinds inexorably on, killing countless millions of wild animals already trying to survive in a world seemingly intent on destroying them. They are either killed in the most inhumane fashion (rhinos that have their horn hacked from their face while they are still alive) or trapped and wounded before being bundled into a truck, heading for someone’s dinner plate, or to be ruthlessly slaughtered for their body parts and ground into fine powder as an imagined and mysterious cure for cancer”.

Your response will permit us to continue funding a number of critical anti-wildlife trade, anti-poaching programs in Africa, India and South East Asia:

In South Africa, the Sanwild Wildlife Sanctuary is fighting rhino poaching in Zimbabwe, Painted Hunting Dogs Inc. is protecting endangered hunting dogs; in Tanzania, the Kilimanjaro Fieldmen are protecting elephants and other wildlife; in Zambia, the South Luangwa Conservation Society is guarding elephants and the Lunga Luswishi Wildlife Project is rescuing primates; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Government is shielding lowland gorillas from rebel armies; in India, Wildlife SOS is infiltrating smuggling gangs, helping to stop the poaching of tigers, bears and elephants; in Vietnam, Education for Nature

Vietnam is engaged in anti-wildlife trade activities targeting rhino horn imports, and in Indonesia, the Friends of the National Parks Foundation and the Orangutan Foundation are working to protect orangutans in Kalimantan, the Orangutan Project is running anti-poaching patrols to protect tigers, elephants and orangutans in Sumatra, and ProFauna are uncovering illegal turtle trade activities in Bali.

Your money and support makes all this possible. We can only say thank you over and over again!

NEWSLETTER

A great THANK YOU to you all for responding with such gusto to our January appeal to help curb wildlife poaching around the world. It has been a warming start to the New Year for us to know that your support is as strong as ever.

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STOP PRESS

BEARS RESCUED AND POACHERS ARRESTEDFour young sloth bears were successfully seized from poachers following an all-night anti-poaching rescue operation by Wildlife SOS. The poachers were members of the Kalandar tribe attempting to smuggle the bears from Nepal into India, but their vehicles were raided on the border in a joint operation by the Jharkhand Police, Forest Department, and Wildlife SOS resulting in six arrests.

The four bears, aged between 15 months and 3 years, have been carefully transferred to the Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rehabilitation Centre in Uttar Pradesh, the largest of its kind in the world. They were dehydrated and debilitated with serious mutilations, but are now receiving much needed veterinary care and attention. Once their health improves they will be rehabilitated and enjoy a life free of abuse in large forested enclosures.

Thank you again to our wonderful supporters for contributing vital funds to our latest Appeal supporting anti-poaching efforts around the globe. Your generous support makes such amazing rescue operations possible.

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2013 is now shaping up as a very busy and important year

for wildlife and all the animals. With a Federal election now

announced, we have a huge job ahead of us in convincing

all parties to make commitments for the protection of all

wildlife and habitats and the growing issue of the welfare of

all farm animals.

A very big win late last year saw the Prime Minister telling big

business that she would not be devolving her environmental

powers to the states and territories. This would have been one of

the greatest conservation disasters in decades. But thanks to your

letter writing and e-mails and the continuing pressure by HSI and

other conservation organisations, the Federal Government has

stood up to the bullying tactics of big industry, and particularly

the giant mining companies. But we are not completely off the

hook yet, and with the looming election we need to get the PM

to confirm she will never again consider giving her conservation

powers away (see page 8).

Much of our concern is for the impact upon threatened species’

recovery, should the national environment laws be weakened.

One way in which we try and help threatened species is through

the Wildlife Land Trust (WLT). We now have nearly 200 wildlife

sanctuary members covering 85,000 acres across every state and

territory except the Northern Territory. If you have a small bit of

bush and would like to join the WLT club, we would welcome you

with open arms!

Thank you to you all for the brilliant response to our January

appeal on wildlife trade and poaching. We thought nearly 20 years

ago that we had managed to get a handle on the illegal wildlife

trade, but with the rise of economic well-being and wealth in S.E

Asia and particularly China and Vietnam, the demand for wildlife

products has grown horrifically. But please be assured that HSI

and our colleague conservation organisations are working very

hard to fight back, and your financial support will ensure that

on-the-ground projects tackling these poachers head-on will

continue. Our front page will tell you about the anti-poaching

activities we are supporting, with a story from the South Luangwa

Conservation Society in Zambia on page 4.

On the election front, you will find stories on shark finning and

international wildlife programs that are asking you to write to the

major political parties, urging that they ban shark fin trade and

financially support wildlife protection programs in the Asia/Pacific

region. We hope that you will help us get these very important

messages across to the PM and the Opposition Leader.

You will see updates from Humane Choice and our on-going

campaign for truth in food labelling, particular for free-range

eggs. The article will also ask you to take action to help win this

campaign - your past efforts are beginning to have a positive

effect!

Thank you all again for your unswerving support.

It is tremendously appreciated.

Best wishes

Michael and Verna

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORS

Although our campaigners have many specific targets each year there is also a great need to plan long term strategies for many of the major environmental and animal welfare issues we face. By supporting us with a regular monthly pledge, you empower us to budget with confidence for these projects.

As a regular supporter of HSI, your tax-deductible donations will be deducted from either your credit card (Amex, Mastercard, Visa) or a nominated bank account once per month, and can start with any amount that suits your budget! To receive further information please feel free to contact our office on free call 1800 333 737 or simply complete the coupon below to receive our regular pledge authorisation forms.

Thank you also to all our existing regular supporters – without your help our work for the animals would be greatly diminished.

Title First Name Last Name

Postal Address

State Postcode Contact Phone ( ) Email

4 Yes, please send more information on becoming a regular supporter of HSI.

Become an HSI regular Supporter and Spread your donatIonS evenly acroSS tHe year!

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Volume 19 • Issue 1 • March 2013

STOP PRESS

ACCC BELIEVE 10,000 HENS PER HECTARE IS NOT FREE RANGEAccording to an article published in The Age on 5th March 2013, ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said the watchdog is “very concerned” the egg industry is trying to redefine “free range” to “increase their own profitability” without regard to consumers’ views. They believe stocking as many as 10,000 hens per hectare is not consistent with consumers’ understanding of free range. This exciting news gives us renewed hope that our complaint to ACCC re major retailers high-jacking the free range term will be upheld.

ACCC INVESTIGATES COLES EGGS

Last year, Australian Egg Corporation Limited (Egg Corp) lodged their controversial application to try to change free range egg standards, sparking a heated debate amongst concerned consumers and genuine producers. If accepted, it would have allowed massive stocking densities for laying hens, namely a 13 fold increase, allowing major industry players to highjack the term ‘free range’ and use it to label their intensively produced eggs. But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) called for public comment and received 1,700 submissions, with all but 7 opposing Egg Corp’s proposal. ACCC’s initial assessment then hit the press giving a damning report backed by strong public opinion, so Egg Corp were then quick to withdraw their application by the end of the year. Without such fantastic support from you, such an overwhelming result would never have been achieved!

This year will be crucial for the future of free range egg farming in Australia. Whilst this was a huge win for our campaign, the fight is far from over and the need for a national legislated standard for the term ‘free range’ is stronger than ever. The government and industry continuously excuse the situation, insinuating that bringing forward the Model Code of Practice review will suffice. However, the Model Code only provides recommendations, so with the Federal election in our sights we are calling on Government to enact national legislation so consumers can be reassured that free range means free range, and genuine producers are not left by the wayside.

In the meantime, Coles supermarkets launched their new advertising campaign promoting their cage free eggs and sow stall free promise in January this year. Although a positive move, they have attempted to brand all their eggs as either free range or barn laid produced under their own Coles standards, but so far they have

refused to share these standards with the public. We do know that they allow outdoor densities of 10,000 hens per hectare for free range, boasting that it’s half the number recommended by the egg industry. This seems like a clear attempt to take advantage of the system given that no country worldwide allows more than 2,500 hens in a hectare to be labelled free range.

We subsequently uncovered the new ‘aviary’ systems currently used by Coles to supply ‘free range’ eggs where hens are stacked in vertical layers up to three stories high in huge sheds with stocking rates of up to 40,000 hens inside, that offer rare access to the outdoors. We believe that customers are being misled by Coles and they would never accept these giant aviaries being labelled free range, particularly after the ACCC findings.

Our online postcard campaign called on major supermarkets to “Call it something else, such as ‘barn yard’”, and to date we have gained fantastic support from thousands of members who sent messages saying they expect more (visit our website for more details). Unfortunately Coles have little respect for the concerns of their customers and have not bothered to respond. As they have continued to ignore customer feedback we have now lodged a complaint with ACCC outlining what we believe to be their misleading and deceptive conduct. Coles can choose to ignore their customers but they cannot ignore ACCC so we look forward to their assessment.

Conversely, we were delighted that Woolworths have instead made some positive steps forward promising more detailed labelling on their own brand eggs, and improved displays in-store. We are meeting with Woolworths’ executives over the coming weeks to work with them to encourage greater transparency and more truthful labelling across all eggs sold in Woolworths.

High indoor stocking densities in a typical free range ‘aviary’ system

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SOUTH LUANGWA CONSERVATION SOCIETY – ZAmBIA

HSI has been very pleased, because of your generosity (and in cooperation with the Born Free Foundation) to have been able to support the important conservation work of the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) in Zambia. The Society undertakes a broad range of wildlife protection activities in the famous Luangwa Valley, and this particular project involves supporting anti-poaching activities of the Society’s village scouts, seeking to reduce elephant mortalities from illegal and cruel snaring. The program allowed for the recruitment of six additional scouts and the full servicing of their APU (Anti-Poaching Unit) patrols, along with veterinary supplies and fuel. The following is an extract from a report on their activities late last year:

“Meat poaching in the form of wire-snaring continues to have significant negative impacts on wildlife populations and affects a wide range of species including elephants, through direct and “by-catch” mortality. Efforts to remove snares through anti-poaching patrols by the SLCS anti-snaring teams are critical to elephant conservation. In order to address these problems the project objectives are to:

1. Support SLCS anti-snaring patrols in South Luangwa and surrounding GMA’s

2. Provide scouts with the necessary equipment to perform effective patrols

3. Decrease elephant mortality from snares 4. Increase the number of snares removed from the bush 5. Support the SLCS darting and veterinary program 6. Expand the SLCS scout force by employing an additional

6 village scouts

Wet Season Fly Camps

Since 2005, SLCS in conjunction with Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), has funded, coordinated and supervised wet season anti-poaching fly camps strategically situated within the national park. Due to the park’s inaccessibility during the rains and the fact that safari bush camps close down for this period, there is an increase in poaching in remote areas within the national park. ZAWA and SLCS often rely on tour operators to report any signs of poaching, and their presence also acts as a deterrent to poachers. When the camps close, the area is left vacant.

The fly camps consist of a temporary base camp, fully equipped with solar and radio communications. Eight scouts are deployed at a time and operate on a rotational twenty day patrol period to ensure that the areas are well covered for the duration of the wet season. From the base camps, long patrols, short patrols and day patrols are conducted routinely and the scouts are available for rapid action responses. The 2012 / 2013 wet season fly program has started and one fly camp in Luamfwa has been deployed. The additional village scouts supported by HSI and the Born Free Foundation are also included in the patrol roster for the fly camps during the wet season. As snaring typically reduces in the wet season, scout activities are directed at fly camps and general patrols.

In order to streamline our anti-snaring patrols, valuable Geographical Information System data is provided by the Zambia Carnivore Program (one of our partners in conservation in Luangwa) depicting wild dog pack and lion pride locations and movements and thus allowing us to plan our patrols strategically. The spin off effect from these patrols also reduces the risk of other species picking up snares through by-catch including elephants.

After years of attempting to purchase a plane for conservation work in Luangwa, SLCS and the Zambia Carnivore Program received a joint grant from Mfuwe Lodge and the Bush Camp Company in December 2011 to purchase a Cessna 180. The aircraft recently arrived in Mfuwe. At the same time we have employed a pilot who is also trained as a veterinarian and will assist both projects in conservation and wildlife immobilizing work. In addition to this we have renovated an old airstrip within the national park, located ten minutes from the SLCS base in order to streamline operations. It is anticipated that with aerial support, anti-poaching operations will be enhanced and illegal activities inside the park will be curtailed further. In addition, the research activities of the Zambia Carnivore Program will be supported and improved.”

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HSI PUSHES PRIME MINISTER TO LEGISLATE NATIONAL ‘FREE RANGE’ STANDARD

As 30,000 individual postcards supporting true free range flooded the offices of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) late last year, the failed attempt by Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) to intensify the free range egg industry also highlighted the strength of consumer opinions and their expectations of the term. In the initial assessment released by the ACCC it was clear that Egg Corporation underestimated their consumer’s knowledge, and their lies that would have allowed up to 20,000 hens/hectare to be accepted as free range did not go unnoticed. Egg Corporation was then quick to withdraw their application by the end of December. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to stop them from continuing their deceptive ways and they are still allowed to label their intensively produced eggs ‘free range’, just without a certification trademark stamped on the egg carton.

Supermarkets have also been playing the game by setting their own rules for ‘free range’ labelled eggs – Coles are currently allowing densities as high as 10,000 hens/hectare and refusing to share their ‘Coles standards’ with consumers and the public, claiming them to be “commercially confidential”. So it’s time to take this fight to the next stage because the need for a legislated standard is stronger than ever.

It’s now time for the Federal Government to take control of this situation and legislate a national standard for free range to protect the consumer, the free range farmer, and the hens. In order to get their full attention, we are calling for your help to continue collecting signatures on our free range postcards (pictured) which we are still collecting at our HSI offices in the run up to the Federal

Election on 14th September 2013. If you haven’t seen the postcards yet, they have a prepared message on the back requesting truth in labelling as well as enforced stocking densities of 1,500 birds per hectare for free range layer hens. Our aim is to present the Prime Minister with over 100,000 signed postcards to show her that we mean business, and that you, the consumer, have rights and must not be ignored. Until the Government takes action and defines ‘free range’, consumers will be unable to buy ‘free range’ eggs with confidence.

HSI believes the days of consumer exploitation are over, and truthful labelling is every consumer’s right. It’s time to move forward and label deserving products with an officially defined term, ‘free range’, and use other defined descriptors such as ‘caged eggs’ or ‘barn yard’ for intensive production methods.

To order your postcards, please email Georgie at [email protected] providing a postal address and the quantity you would like. Alternatively phone HSI on 1800 333 737, again specifying how many you need. We have plenty available, so let’s show the Government that it’s time to act and defend every consumer’s right for truth in labelling.

If you would like more postcards to distribute for us, then please email Georgie at [email protected], or phone us on 1800 333 737 and specify the quantity you require.

Write to the Federal Minister for Agriculture and let the government know that you feel exploited because the term ‘free range’ is not protected by law. Explain that you expect free range eggs to be genuinely free to range, and ask them to enforce stocking densities of 1,500 birds per hectare for outdoor layer hens, as set out in the current Model Code of Practice. More details can be found at www.humanechoice.com.au.

Please send any replies you receive to us.

ACTION REQUIRED

Eggs on display in major retailers

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HSI again collaborated, in late 2012, with the American Bird Conservancy on a seabird bycatch project together with South American conservation organizations Pro Delphinus (Peru) and Equilibrio Azul (Ecuador) in an attempt to accelerate efforts to reduce bycatch in the artisanal fishing fleets in both countries. Nigel Brothers, one of the world’s great experts on avoiding seabird bycatch has been travelling to Peru and Ecuador for a number of years now, representing HSI’s interests in stopping the deadly bycatch.

During this visit to Peru the main focus was to carry out experiments to modify ocean drift nets with the aim of reducing their threat to cetacean, seabirds and sea turtles. Sadly, a disturbing but important demonstration of the utter devastation of drift net use was witnessed during just one net set. Bycatch included 2 dead common dolphins (the female pregnant) and 2 juvenile green turtles. A magnificent adult hammerhead shark was captured, which was in the process of giving birth to 13 young. There were very few fish caught, apart from the hammerhead sharks.

It is hoped that a modified net design will reduce the level of unwanted bycatch. Unfortunately the planned schedule for work was set back by net construction delays, and the net was not ready for sea trials while Nigel was there. However, the design and fine-tuning of the modified net is being continued by the staff of Pro Delphinus, and we hope to report some positive outcome from this soon.

Also in Peru, waved albatrosses were captured at-sea in the start of a new study to learn more about the extent of dependence of these birds on the fisheries as a source of food. Waved albatrosses, like most albatross species are threatened by high mortality from longline fisheries. Training and technical advice was provided on board to Pro Delphinus staff, who have now become proficient in

handling these magnificent birds and in techniques of satellite transmitter attachment, as well as taking critical measurements and samples. It is already apparent from plots of the daily activity of the two satellite tracked birds that they appear to be remarkably sedentary along the Peruvian coast. However, one bird did undertake a long journey back toward the main nesting site of this species in the Galapagos Islands.

There has been disappointingly slow progress in the development and implementation of Waved albatross bycatch avoidance devices in Ecuador’s artisanal’s Hake fishery since HSI last participated in this work in 2011. The reason for this is now being addressed and it is anticipated that more rapid progress will result. The new design options of bird-friendly fast hook setting equipment are now in the hands of keen Ecuadorian technicians.

The extent of bycatch in the fisheries of these countries presents huge challenges but HSI does remain optimistic that lending a hand with technical and scientific advice on the ground accelerates the efforts of local conservation organisations who continue to work with the fishermen to reduce the incidental death of albatrosses, dolphins, and sea turtles.

PROTECTING SEABIRDS IN PERU AND ECUADOR

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Sharks are a species that are much maligned in the media, but play an incredibly important role in our marine environment. As an apex predator, sharks maintain the balance of all life beneath them including many fish species, so a healthy shark population indicates that our ocean environment is also likely to be healthy.

However many fears exist around the presence of sharks, and particularly the great white shark in places where we are fond of swimming and surfing. Sadly, the Western Australian Government has recently taken this fear a step too far. Following a series of fatal shark bites, the WA Government has decided proactive action needs to be taken to protect ocean users. This is despite the fact that the risk of getting bitten by a shark is far outweighed by other threats – you are 80 times more likely to die from drowning and 3 times more likely to die from a bee sting.

Despite this, the WA Government has promised to actively seek out and kill protected great white sharks if they are deemed to be a risk to swimmers. However, the bar for determining this risk appears to be very low. All a shark needs to do to be classified as an ‘imminent threat’ is be seen in the same location for consecutive days, be in shallow waters near a ‘popular’ swimming beach during daylight hours, and be a great white shark of more than 3 metres in length. Once these factors are combined, the catch and kill order is issued by WA Fisheries, despite the sharks not having to display any threatening behaviour. So far, a number of orders have been issued this summer, but the sharks that are so threatening have refused to take the bait.

HSI continues to actively campaign against the killing of a

threatened species. We believe that sharks are entitled to undertake their natural activities in their own environment, and that the focus should instead be put on increasing our knowledge of the great white shark to better inform our activities so as to avoid any further tragic fatalities or shark bites. Thankfully, the WA Government is also funding further scientific research into the great white shark, which we will continue to welcome whilst calling for the kill orders to be removed as part of the Government’s response strategy.

WA mOVES TO kILL THREATENED GREAT WHITE SHARKS

Write to the Premier of WA after the state election urging him to rethink his policy of killing threatened great white sharks and instead focus on increasing knowledge of great white sharks.

Also write to the Environment Minister, the Hon Tony Burke MP and urge him to ensure the great white shark is given the protection it deserves, as a species protected under national environmental law.


ACTION REQUIRED

HUMANE CHOICE GOES GLOBALWe are delighted to share the news that Free Range Eggs in New Zealand (FRENZ) have gained Humane Choice accreditation for all their free range egg farms, an amazing achievement particularly given their eggs are exported to international markets including the United States, China and Thailand. This exciting move means Humane Choice will now gain global recognition, helping raise awareness and expand availability of true free range eggs. New Zealand has a strong understanding of animal welfare issues and in this instance they are one step ahead, recognising the opportunity to take advantage of international markets. FRENZ are delighted, saying the accreditation will give their clients the reassurance they have been seeking, namely the commitment to true free range egg production.

Following meetings with farms throughout Kangaroo Island as well as Kangaroo Island Council, they are keen to see the uptake of Humane Choice accreditation throughout the island, and this achievement is well underway. A number of pig farms are currently working towards meeting the standards, and such a move would fit in perfectly with the island’s image of natural, local, ethical produce.

Meanwhile, Humane Choice continues to grow locally with the expansion of the Skara Smallgoods range in South Australia, offering pork and beef products. We also welcomed the addition of Burrawong Gaian in New South Wales, our first free range chicken and duck producer, and one of the preferred suppliers of top Sydney restaurants including Neil Perry’s Rockpool. Visit www.HumaneChoice.com.au for more details on the latest suppliers of ethically produced meat and eggs.

©iStockphoto.com/cbabbitt

Melanda Park Free Range Pig

Free range hens protected by Italian sheepdog

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Please write to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and thank her for protecting the places and wildlife you love, and urge her to retain the important Federal role in environmental decision making.

Also send letters to the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott MP and call on the Coalition to drop their plans to hand environmental powers to State and Territory governments, in response to the community and instead retain powers at the federal level to ensure leadership and a coordinated national approach. All can be reached at PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.


ACTION REQUIRED

GOVERNMENT LISTENS TO THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERNS TO PROTECT THE PLACES WE LOVE: BUT WILL THE COALITION?

In the last newsletter we asked for your help to take action asking the Government to reject the attack on our environmental laws. And the great news is that they have listened to your views!

At the Council of Australian Governments meeting in December, the Gillard Government revealed it is putting the brakes on the plan to hand environmental powers to the states. This move will keep in place important protections for our iconic reefs, forests, wetlands and threatened wildlife – at least for now.

The actions of HSI’s supporters on this important issue have made a huge difference. Thousands of people across the country, as well as scientists and legal experts called for the protection of the laws that protect the places and wildlife we love, as part of the ‘Places You Love’ campaign in which HSI is taking a leading role. Naturalist Sir David Attenborough and a raft of international scientists added their weight, and with the polls showing that 85 per cent of Australians agree that the Commonwealth should be able to block or make changes to major developments that affect the environment, the message was clear to Government.

This action has helped us retain Federal protection for Australia’s most precious places and the wildlife that relies on them. However we are not out of the woods yet and this is no time to be complacent.

While our collective voices are being heard in Canberra, we need to keep speaking up for the places and wildlife we love. The Federal Government is still under a lot of pressure from The Business Council of Australia and the State Governments, so HSI is working hard with more than 35 other organisations to remove the threat of environmental powers being handed to State and Territory Governments once and for all.

There remains much more work to do, with the Coalition promising to hand over these powers should they win Government at the Federal Election on 14th September 2013. Please help us by writing to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to let them know your views.

Through your bequest for animal protection to Humane Society International, you can provide for animals after you’ve gone. Naming HSI in your Will demonstrates your lasting commitment to animal protection and strengthens the Society for this task. We will be happy to send information about our animal protection programs and material that will assist you in planning a Will.

HOW CAN I HELP ANImALS EVEN WHEN I NO LONGER SHARE THEIR WORLD?

4 Yes, please send more information on leaving a bequest to HSI.

Name

Address

City State Postcode

pleaSe poSt to HSI, po BoX 439, avalon nSW 2107 or pHone Freecall 1800 333 737

Federally protected Coolibah - Black Box Woodlands – J. Plaza.

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FEDERAL:Prime MinisterThe Honourable Julia Gillard, MP PO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7700 Fax: (02) 6273 4100 To contact the Prime Minister please go to www.pm.gov.au and use the ‘Contact Your PM’ facility

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and CommunitiesThe Honourable Tony Burke, MP PO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7640 Fax: (02) 6273 6101 [email protected]

Minister for Climate Change and Energy EfficiencyThe Honourable Greg Combet, AM MP PO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7920 Fax: (02) 6273 7330 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry*Senator the Honourable Joe LudwigPO Box 6100SenateParliament HouseCanberra ACT 2600Tel: (02) 6277 7520Fax: (02) 6273 [email protected]

VICTORIA:VIC PremierThe Honourable Dr Denis Napthine MLA Level 1, 1 Treasury Place MELBOURNE VIC 3002 Tel: (03) 9651 5000 Fax: (03) 9651 5054 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security*The Honourable Peter Walsh MP Level 20, 1 Spring Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9938 5954 Fax: (03) 9658 4191 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and Climate ChangeThe Honourable Ryan Smith MP Level 17, 8 Nicholson Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9637 8890 Fax: (03) 9637 8880 [email protected]

Minister for Energy and ResourcesThe Honourable Michael O’Brien MPLevel 22, 1 Spring StreetMELBOURNE VIC 3000Tel: (03) 9938 5963Fax: (03) 9938 [email protected]

NEW SOUTH WALES:NSW Premier**The Honourable Barry O’Farrell, MP GPO Box 5341 SYDNEY NSW 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5239 Fax: (02) 9228 3935 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industries*The Honourable Katrina Hodgkinson, MP GPO Box 5341 SYDNEY NSW 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5210 Fax: (02) 9228 5969 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and HeritageThe Honourable Robyn Parker, MPGPO Box 5341SYDNEY NSW 2001Tel: (02) 9228 5253Fax: (02) 9228 [email protected]

** Climate Change issues now fall under the responsibility of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. *Animal welfare Ministers

QUEENSLAND:QLD PremierThe Honourable Campbell Newman, MP PO Box 15185 CITY EAST QLD 4002 Tel: (07) 3224 4500 Fax: (07) 3221 1809 [email protected]

Minister for Natural Resources and MinesThe Honourable Andrew Cripps, MP PO Box 15216 CITY EAST QLD 4002 Tel: (07) 3225 1861 Fax: (07) 3224 2491 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry*The Honourable John McVeigh, MP GPO Box 46 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Tel: (07) 3239 3000 Fax: (07) 3211 8199 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and Heritage ProtectionThe Honourable Andrew Powell, MP GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Tel: (07) 3239 0844 Fax: (07) 3224 2496 [email protected]

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:WA PremierThe Honourable Colin Barnett, MLA24th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower197 St Georges TerracePERTH WA 6000Tel: (08) 6552 5000Fax: (08) 6552 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture and Food / Minister for Forestry / Minister for HousingThe Honourable Terry Redman, MLA9th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock StreetWEST PERTH WA 6005

Tel: (08) 6552 6700Fax: (08) 6552 [email protected]

Minister for the Environment / Minister for WaterThe Honourable Bill Marmion, BE MBA MLA 29th Floor, Allendale Square, 77 St George’s Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Tel: (08) 6552 6800 Fax: (08) 6552 6801 [email protected]

Minister for FisheriesThe Honourable Norman Moore, MLC4th Floor, London House, 216 St Georges TerracePERTH WA 6000Tel: (08) 6552 5400 Fax: (08) 6552 5401 [email protected]

Minister for Local Government*The Honourable John Castrilli, MLA8th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock StreetWEST PERTH WA 6005Tel: (08) 6552 6600Fax: (08) 6552 [email protected]

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:SA PremierThe Honourable Jay Weatherill, MPGPO Box 2343ADELAIDE SA 5001Tel: (08) 8463 3166Fax: (08) 8463 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries*, Minister for ForestsThe Honourable Gail GagoGPO Box 464ADELAIDE SA 5001Tel: (08) 8303 2926Fax: (08) 8303 [email protected]

Minister for Sustainability, Environment and ConservationThe Honourable Ian Hunter, MLCGPO Box 1047ADELAIDE SA 5001Tel: (08) 8463 5680Fax: (08) 8463 [email protected]

NORTHERN TERRITORY:NT Chief MinisterThe Honourable Terence Mills, MLAGPO Box 3146DARWIN NT 0801Tel: (08) 8928 6500Fax: (08) 8928 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industry and FisheriesThe Honourable Willem Rudolf Westra van Holthe, MLAGPO Box 3146DARWIN NT 0801Tel: (08) 8928 6540Fax: (08) 8928 [email protected]

Minister for Lands, Planning and the EnvironmentThe Honourable Peter Chandler, MLA GPO Box 3146

DARWIN NT 0801Tel: (08) 8928 6553Fax: (08) 8928 [email protected]

Minister for Parks and WildlifeThe Honourable Matthew Conlan, MLAGPO Box 3146DARWIN NT 0801Tel: (08) 8928 6622Fax: (08) 8928 [email protected]

Minister for Local Government*The Honourable Adam Giles, MLAGPO Box 3146Darwin NT 0801Telephone: 08 8928 6567Facsimile: 08 8928 6621Email: [email protected]

TASmANIA:TAS PremierThe Honourable Lara Giddings, MP11th Floor, Executive Building15 Murray StreetHOBART TAS 7000Tel: (03) 6233 3464fax: (03) 6234 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industries and WaterThe Honourable Bryan Green, MP10th Floor, Executive Building15 Murray StreetHOBART TAS 7000Tel: (03) 6434 6252Fax: (03) 6434 [email protected]

Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage*The Honourable Brian Wightman, MP10th Floor, State Offices10 Murray StreetHOBART TAS 7000Tel: (03) 6336 2637Fax: (03) 6336 [email protected]

Minister for Climate ChangeThe Honourable Cassy O’Connor, MPLevel 9, Marine Board Building1 Franklin WharfHOBART TAS 7000Ph: (03) 6233 6756Fax: (03) 6233 [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY:Chief MinisterThe Honourable Katy Gallagher, MLA GPO Box 1020 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Phone: (02) 6205 0840 Fax: (02) 6205 3030 [email protected]

Minister for the Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentThe Honourable Simon Corbell, MLAGPO Box 1020CANBERRA ACT 2601Phone: (02) 6205 0000Fax: (02) 6205 [email protected]

LIST OF CONSERVATION AND ANIMAL WELFARE MINISTERS

** Climate Change issues now fall under the responsibility of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. *Animal welfare Ministers.


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HSI DELIGHTED BY PROPOSED CHANGES TO EU SHARk FINNING BAN

Internationally, the news for sharks has been a lot better. At the end of 2012 HSI welcomed the European Union’s move to close the loopholes in the EU shark finning ban, preventing the removal of fins from sharks on board vessels. Each year between 26 and 73 million sharks are killed worldwide, predominantly for their fins, primarily to meet the demand for shark fin soup. The European Union is one of the largest exporters of shark fins to Asia, despite the fact that one-third of European shark and ray species and one-third of open-ocean sharks are classified as “threatened” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The existing EU legislation allows permits to be issued for the removal of fins on board vessels and for fins and carcasses to be landed at different ports. This loophole renders the legislation unenforceable and makes it possible for fully conscious sharks to have their fins sliced off and their bodies discarded at sea, an incredibly slow and painful death for these sharks.

Although the Council of the European Union had already adopted a general approach in support of a fins naturally attached policy without exception, the European Parliament’s report went further than the Commission’s original proposal by stipulating more stringent reporting requirements. The fins naturally attached policy will ensure that all sharks caught by EU vessels anywhere in the world will be landed with their fins still naturally attached to their bodies. This will not only more effectively prevent shark finning by EU vessels, but will also constitute a major contribution by the EU to the global effort to eradicate shark finning by advocating fins attached policies to regional fisheries’ management organisations.

The new regulations will greatly facilitate the collection of data on shark catches by EU vessels making an important contribution to the conservation of shark populations. Whilst the legislation is yet to be signed off by Ministers, we look forward to the onboard removal of shark fins on EU vessels being relegated to history.

HSI has recently joined forces with the Australian Marine Conservation Society and written to the three major political parties calling on them to give consideration to an election commitment to develop and implement a policy to ban the trade, sale and possession of shark fins in Australia. We are concerned that an effectively un-monitored trade in shark fins is leading to further depletions of vulnerable shark species in Australian and international waters.

Shark fins fetch a price premium for use in shark fin soup within the Asian community, which, coupled with a general lack of management or international co-operation, is considered to be driving the worldwide decline of many shark species. A trade ban is the surest way of removing the incentives for illegal shark fishing and finning activity, and enables the development and implementation of better shark fisheries management without the economic incentives to shark fishing provided by the inflated value of shark fins.

HSI believes that the introduction of legislation to prohibit the trade and possession of shark fins would be a huge step forward in Australia’s shark conservation efforts, and one that would be wholly in line with efforts underway internationally.

MARINE SANCTUARIES: A STEP CLOSERHSI has for some time been working within a coalition of environmental organisations, in an effort to secure a large network of marine sanctuaries around our coasts.

In June 2012 the Government announced the Commonwealth’s plans for the largest network of marine protected areas in the world - a comprehensive marine reserve system of 60 reserves, covering a huge 3.1 million square kilometres or more than a third of Commonwealth waters. These reserves were officially

proclaimed on the 16th November, and since that time consultation has been underway on the management plans for the reserves. The final public consultation has now closed, and following the tabling of the management plans in Parliament later this year, the marine reserve network will take effect from 1 July 2014. HSI has been involved at every stage of this process, and we look forward to the reserves taking effect in 2014. Thank you for all your support in achieving this great campaign victory.

Please write to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard urging her to commit to the introduction of legislation to prohibit the trade, sale and possession of shark fins as part of the ALP’s election commitments.

Also send letters to the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott MP and call on the Coalition to commit to the same election policy. All can be reached at PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.


ACTION REQUIRED

© Sonja Fordham

©iStockphoto.com/Felix Thiang

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PROTECTING MADAGASCAN TORTOISES IN THE WILD


Australia is a biodiversity rich developed country surrounded by biodiversity rich developing countries. Being a developed nation with strong biodiversity conservation credentials Australia has a special responsibility to assist developing country neighbours with fewer resources and less capacity to protect their biodiversity.

Our near neighbours in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, all the other wildlife rich countries in S.E. Asia and the Pacific Island States, find themselves in a pitch battle against those that wantonly destroy wildlife and habitats for purely economic gain. So serious is the global loss of biodiversity that many scientists are now suggesting that the Earth may have entered the sixth great animal and plant extinction wave.

The Asia Pacific region is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world but poorly managed resource extraction and ecologically unsustainable livelihoods are dramatically impacting its biodiversity. To help turn this around, countries need assistance with funding for programs that deliver sustainable livelihoods and effectively protect wildlife and their habitats under threat.

Australia has a long history of engagement in environmental management initiatives throughout the region. However, at present Australia has no programs specifically directed at protecting biodiversity in developing countries. We need to take this opportunity with a Federal Election looming, to tell all political parties that they must help our neighbours protect their diminishing wildlife heritage.

OF TIGERS, ELEPHANTS AND RHINOS…..

Please write to Prime Minister Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Environment Minister Tony Burke and Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt (all via PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT, 2600) urging the following:

In the context of the coming Federal election, we urge you to commit to a dedicated fund for biodiversity conservation projects in biodiversity hotspot countries in the Asia-Pacific region. A $20 million regional biodiversity conservation program (suggest title could be the Joseph Banks Regional Conservation Initiative) should be established over 5 years, allocating resources to key non-government organisation on-ground projects in the region.


ACTION REQUIRED

The campaign to help prevent the extinction of the Madagascan tortoises is one of 19 projects in 10 countries that last year HSI helped finance through its partnership with the global Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF), a collection of leading

conservation organisations dedicated to the protection of Critically Endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises around the world. Total funding provided towards these projects in 2102 by the combined groups was US$87,800.

The Madagascan project was proposed by Andrea Currylow and Mbolatiana Ranaivoarivelo, who outline their plans below:

“Ninety-two percent of the reptile species found in Madagascar are endemic (found nowhere else in the world) including both tortoise species in the genus Astrochelys. The ploughshare and the radiated tortoises share World Conservation Union Red Listing as Critically Endangered and are listed as Endangered under the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. In order to address the conservation of the rapidly declining Astrochelys genus, we need to not only protect, but also actively monitor areas where there are remaining strongholds and identify the feasibility of using these areas for confiscated or captive reintroductions. More work must be done on the current habitat use, reproduction, and physiology of the remaining tortoises (to inform and improve repatriation conservation efforts).

We propose to employ local villagers as “Forest Guardians” to be a constant presence in areas where tortoise populations remain. We will use radio telemetry, microclimate loggers, and blood chemistry to monitor the activity, health, and fitness of extant Astrochelys and evaluate the suitability for reintroductions in these newly closely monitored sites. This project is designed to protect remaining populations while providing empirical and descriptive data for contribution to, and direction of, long-term conservation efforts. We underscore the importance of constant monitoring and gaining physio-ecological knowledge of these imperiled species to ensure their persistence and lay the informational foundation for implementing effective reintroduction efforts”.

©iStockphoto.com/Felix Thiang

Radiated tortoise - TCFRadiated tortoise - TCF

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Many thanks toBIO DISTRIBUTORS BIO-DYNAMIC &

ORGANIC WHOLESALERS OF TASMANIAwho sponsored the printing of this newsletter

PO Box 12, Sheffield, Tasmania 7306 Phone/Fax (03) 6491 1439 [email protected]

www.biodistributors.com.au

Humane Society International would like to thank DMC for their donated services.

T: 03 9427 7267 F: 03 9427 7370 E: [email protected] www.directmail.com.au

NL43 NL43

ISBN 978-0-9874641-2-5

Following a start to the New Year that has seen tropical cyclones, extreme heat, fires and floods take their toll on various parts of the country (with some regions copping all of the above), our native wildlife have been dealt blow after blow for which they often have little defense. Reports of flying-foxes dropping out of trees from dehydration, wombats drowning in flooded burrows, and images of charred remains portray much suffering, reduced population viability, and in the case of threatened species, another step closer to extinction.

While there is little we can do as individuals to stop such severe impacts, the point has well and truly been reached where conservation efforts on privately owned land are vital to the survival of our native wildlife species. As Humane Society International supporters, it’s highly likely that the safety of native fauna and their habitats on your property is a given, and signing up to the Wildlife Land Trust (WLT) is the logical next step for a more unified voice and increased support network.

The WLT is voluntary and without cost or legal obligation, and represents a risk-free way to get involved in, or elevate your contribution to private land conservation. By joining, you will become a member of a growing worldwide network of refuges protecting wildlife and their habitats. We’ll give you the opportunity to tell like-minded people about your refuge through stories on our website and regular newsletter, signage for your refuge, and

advice should your property come under any threat of development.

An example of a recent addition to the WLT network lies in Demon Valley Wildlife Refuge (NSW), a 300 hectare property which is a dedicated wildlife sanctuary, home to the Cossin family, and used as a macropod rehabilitation and release site. Wildlife abounds on Demon Valley Wildlife Refuge, with known inhabitants including bandicoots, koalas, possums, spotted-tailed quolls, flying-foxes, hopping mice, dingoes, sugar gliders, echidnas, a range of macropods, and various species of frogs, snakes and birds.

Demon Valley Wildlife Refuge acts as a safeguard for a huge range of native fauna, but that doesn’t mean smaller blocks don’t have an important role to play. If your property provides habitat for wildlife, even through a few acres of bush next to your home, we invite you to fill in our simple application form to join the current 191 refuges across Australia in Wildlife Land Trust membership. For more information, head to the Australian WLT website at www.wildlifelandtrust.org.au or call 1800 333 737.

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WILDLIFE LAND TRUST

Demon Valley Wildlife Refuge – Noel and Felicity Cossins

Documents

Humane Society International Newsletter March 2013 Protecting Wildlife on the Frontline