CONSERVING THE PLANET

ORIGINS NORTHERN BETTONG REDISCOVERED RETURN OF EASTERN QUOLLS HELP CHANGE THE FUTURE TREE CLEARING ANIMAL WELFARE CRISIS

THE World Wildlife Fund came into existence on April 29,

1961, when a small group of passionate and committed individuals signed a declaration that came to be known as the Morges Manifesto. The document laid the foundations for what has grown into the world's largest independent conservation organisation. The group's mission is to stop the degradation of our planet's natural environment, and build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.

In order to achieve this mission, WWF broadly focuses its efforts on two broad areas:

stays healthy and vibrant for generations to come.

of natural resources required for life are managed sustainably and equitably.

WWF is active in over 100 countries and has close to five million supporters internationally.

wwf.org

The northern bettong is one of northern Australia's rarest marsupials and its numbers have dramatically dropped in recent decades. For more than 10 years, the only place they were known to exist was Lamb Range, south-west of Cairns.

A collaboration between WWF-Australia, James Cook University and the Queensland Government has researchers working on a five-year monitoring program that includes searching for oorts (bettong spit balls) and camera surveillance. A second population of northern bettongs was discovered last year in the Mount Lewis National Park near Mount Carbine in the far north. Scientists believe the species plays a crucial role in the health of the local woodland ecosystem. Researchers are hopeful of finding more of these rare marsupials. WWF-Australia has been instrumental in helping the eastern quoll make a comeback to mainland Australia. Eastern quolls are medium-sized carnivorous marsupials with thick, soft fur that is fawn, brown or black and covered in small white spots, except on the tail. They were once found across much of south eastern Australia. About 50 years ago, they were wiped out on the mainland by foxes, cats, poisoning and habitat destruction. However, the species still exists in the wild in Tasmania and are bred in some wildlife parks there. WWF-Australia has teamed up with Rewilding Australia and other partners to re-introduce eastern quolls by releasing some in Booderee National Park in the Jervis Bay region.

“We hope they settle in quickly, Around the globe, millions of people, businesses, and landmarks set aside an hour to host events and switch off their lights to create more awareness of the need for climate change action. This year Earth Hour is at

8:30pm on March 24.

WWF is encouraging people who want their voices heard about how climate change is impacting wildlife and special places to take part in Earth Hour and share their stories on the #Connect2Earth platform.

“Connect2earth is a truly global space for young people to connect, share, express their concerns and hopes about the environment online and win some prizes in the process,” said James Leape, Director

General of WWF International. earthhour.org.au | connect2earth.org

Access free lessons, worksheets, smartboard lessons and a host of other resources from earthhour.org.au/schools

Learn more: Earth Hour Curriculum Toolkit:

stay healthy and start to breed immediately,” said Darren Grover, WWF-Australia’s Head of Living Ecosystems.

“The loss of native species like eastern quolls has disturbed Nature’s balance. The goal is to see some eastern quoll populations permanently reestablished in the wild on mainland Australia and it all starts at Booderee National Park,” he said.

The released quolls will be GPS collared and monitored closely. This attempt to re-establish eastern quolls is only possible because of years of fox control at Booderee. Two other species, long-nosed potoroos and southern brown bandicoots, reintroduced to the park in the past two years are healthy and breeding. Native animals suffer terribly when their forest homes are bulldozed and

welfare crisis in Queensland with koalas on the frontline.

A joint report by WWF-Australia and RSPCA Queensland recently exposed this hidden crisis, estimating that

birds and reptiles each year. While cruelty to domestic pets often attracts headlines, the misery inflicted on native wildlife goes largely unseen. “Nothing else in Queensland causes as much suffering and death among animals as the escalating destruction of bushland habitat by bulldozers and other machinery,” said RSPCA Qld CEO Mark Townend. WWF-Australia statewide.

“That is a devastating loss for a species listed as vulnerable in Queensland. It's a national tragedy and an international embarrassment,” said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman.

Carers like Clare Gover from wildlife rescue service Return to the Wild, inc do what they can to save koalas and other native wildlife. WWF-Australia works with Clare who has nursed many orphaned koala joeys until they are big enough to be released.

Learn more about Return to the Wild: returntothewildinc.org.au