All the efforts to save them, commencing with the Hallstrom Koala Sanctuary in Bayview in the 1940's, all those carried out during local bushfires, to those within living memory, were in vain - the worship of the dollar ruled, and still rules, the day.
A Bushfire Casualty
FIRE CASUALTY.- Paws bandaged, this koala was in safe hands at Taronga Park Zoo, on Saturday, after getting prompt attention for burns received in the bushfire at North Narrabeen. A Bushfire Casualty (1946, November 6). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 1 (DAILY). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118381832
From the Avalon Preservation Trust ( now Avalon Preservation Association ) APT History:
Logging 'cruel' to animals
Forestry practices in Australia are killing off rare and endangered native animals, the RSPCA told a Federal inquiry. The executive officer of RSPCA Australia, Charles Wright, said yesterday that logging in native forests caused great suffering and the death of native wildlife.
Addressing the Resources Assessment Commission Inquiry into Australia's Forest and Timber Resources, Mr Wright said forestry practices had a dramatic effect on wildlife, including rare and endangered species. This included selective logging, clear-felling, plantation establishment, burning and pest control.
"A lot of logging practices are cruel," Mr Wright said. "Too many people are forgetting about the animals in the environment debate."
Mr Wright called for codes of practice to be established in forestry management.
"The timber industry docs provide some economic benefit to the nation but the real benefit of our unique wildlife is priceless and cannot be reduced to dollars and cents," he told the inquiry.
The RSPCA's submission to the commission says the greatest impact of forestry is on mammals dependent on native ecosystems. Species under threat include greater gliders in the native forests of eastern Australia and the landbeater's possum in the mountain ash forests of Victoria's Central Highlands.
Mr Wright said burning to clear forest land often killed native wildlife, and he called for improved practices, such as selective burning, rather than "the bushfire approach." Logging 'cruel' to animals (1990, June 15). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120892539
Now that same process of mismanagement and 'greed first' is ensuring their extinction elsewhere. It is way past the time to ask WHO is still destroying our environment and WHY they are - those responsible are well known by now and why they are is still the age old robbing of the poor to make richer the already wealthy.
If the ABC News report of earlier this week regarding that those sent in to check on bee hives becoming traumatised after hearing the screams of wildlife in pain doesn't bring home the fact that our remnant forests are currently filled with animals screaming in pain - and everyone now needs to speak up - what will?
Many have never heard that sound of a koala crying in pain and shock - now you have.
Those that have been rescued and can be brought back to health, a constant nursing process that will take at least 12 months, will have no home to go to - to be released back into.
Just one of those koala rescue centres was spending 160 thousand dollars annually to run and care for the almost 300m hundred koalas it treats - and is run on donations. For koalas, outside of bushfires and Chlamydia, motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks are the most common cause of injuries sustained.
One of these koala rescue facilities has received over one million in donations from Joe Public during the course of these November 2019 bushfires. They intend spending that on the recovery of the 30 or so koalas that have been brought in as well as wildlife water stations, alike those we ran in a Sydney University article in June this year.
Their primary focus past that immediate work is to establish a wild koala breeding program. The koalas in the area Port Macquarie area are of national significance due to their genetic diversity. There are volunteers working at Taree (Koalas in Care) and Port Stephens (Port Stephens Koalas) too - and they too are significant.
Two Koala saviour organisations in this fire ground are determined to establish koala sanctuaries with food trees, one even resolving to buy the land and plant the trees, to own this place, so it cannot be taken away - although that will only last as long as a highway doesn't need to be run through it.
At the frontline those now tending the koalas, those still out in the firegrounds looking for wildlife, are all volunteers. Many of them have worked back to back shifts finding injured and burnt animals, tending their wounds.
While it's great the state government recently announced two grants in funding for the Foundation for National Parks, the reality is most of those doing the actual rescuing, rehabilitating, caring until they may be released, if there's somewhere to release them back to, all those medical supplies and carers pouches, all that veterinarian work done pro bono, comes from the pockets of the volunteers and their supporters, and has for decades.
Each year, in New South wales alone, over 100 thousand native animals are being rescued and saved. Millions more are being slaughtered - not being saved.
There are a few other things our state and federal governments could do, although that would involve a more genuinely caring approach and reversal of current 'policies and priorities'.
are only undertaken where necessary or beneficial for conservation of the species or as part of an approved offset arrangement [for a state significant development]
For those thinking there are forests aplenty yet available to kill off and turn into woodchips, the reality is the number of trees left can now be counted, with numerous reports detailing how policy has determined and facilitated more tree and habitat destruction, up to 100% of what's left in many places, in New South Wales.
Ask yourself - WHO is continuing to destroy what's left of our environment - and WHY? And most importantly - is it theirs to take and is there a better way?
We're not doing too well as the 'clever country', are we? Ditto 'NSW as the Number 1 state' for anything other than ...t.
Below run a few recent insights from a passionate campaigner for our wildlife and environment, who possibly wishes Australian governments were as enlightened as New Zealand government, where rivers and animals are recognised as sentient beings and they are not in a rush to cut down their very last tree.
Hopefully now, and well into the future, a few more will speak up and fend off the fast approaching silence a country devoid of all its original residents will mean.
You won't hear a koala crying or animals screaming in pain then - will you?