Quolls given reprieve from poisonous death
24 Nov 2005
Victorian Environment Minister John Thwaites today announced a two-staged trial for wild dog control in the state, starting with a non-poison aerial baiting trial in the state's north east.
WWF welcomed the Minister's considered approach to the issue and his establishment of a committee to examine the wild dog problem.
WWF recently asked Minister Thwaites to resist pressure to initiate poison aerial baiting in Victoria, and instead to examine the effectiveness of existing wild dog management programs.
"WWF looks forward to helping find solutions to wild dog problems, which don't further harm Victoria's endangered species," said WWF spokesperson and Victorian Threatened Species Network Coordinator Julie Kirkwood.
She said the Minister's consultative committee should carefully assess the best way to protect stock from wild dogs.
"As a priority, the committee will need to consider the effects of control programs on native species like the endangered quoll," Ms Kirkwood said.
Aerial baiting is recognised as a major threat to the survival of endangered species like the spot-tailed quoll. These carnivores are fatally attracted to aerially dropped poison meat-baits.
"The opportunity exists for devising the most effective way of protecting farming enterprises from wild dogs without killing off the last of our native wildlife," Ms Kirkwood said.
For more information
Julie Kirkwood, Threatened Species Network
Phone: 03 9341 6507
Mobile: 0417 121 430
