Dugong research
Catalyst video l Channel 10 Totally wild
Despite being a protected species, very little is known about the enchanting dugong. In an effort to find out more about them and to secure their future, biologists in Queensland are carring out extensive research into their behaviour and breeding patterns.
Nature’s Red List now shows a third of all species are threatened with extinction
Radio National l ABC 666 Canberra
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List now shows that a third of all species catalogued are threatened with extinction, naming Australia as having 800 species at risk. Andrew Lowe, Prof of Plant Conservation Biology, Uni of Adelaide, says species are suffering unprecedented risk of extinction and Hugh Possingham, Prof of Mathematics and Ecology, UQ, says the number of critically endangered species increases each year. The list ranks Australia as one of the worst developed countries, but Possingham says because there are always more species being added to the list, the changing situation often looks worse than it is. Graham Webb, Adjunct Professor, Charles Darwin University, agrees the Red List can be misinterpreted. Duration: 4:20
Oil slick draws animals to risk
The Age
Animals appear to be flocking towards the huge oil slick off northern Australia, putting them at risk. A study conducted for the Federal Government found many species of fish, birds, dolphins and sea snakes are more prevalent in oil-tainted waters than nearby unaffected waters. Mentions UQ’s marine biologist Dr James Watson who comments.
Oil leak focuses on Indonesian side
The Age l Sydney Morning Herald l The West Australian l ABC news l ABC breakfast radio l 6PR Perth l Radio National l Radio NZ l ABC 702 Sydney l ABC 891 Adelaide l ABC1 Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin l ABC 612 Brisbane l myZoo l East Timor Environmental News l Sea Shepherd
The Federal Government told scientists monitoring the huge oil leak off Australia’s northern coast to focus on the Indonesian side of the leaking well. The instruction meant waters closer to the Australian coast, which contain more biodiversity and include important whale habitats, were not assessed for oil contamination in a report that the federal Environment Department released on Friday. Mentions UQ’s marine biology specialist Dr James Watson who comments.
Koalas out on a limb
Courier Mail
Scientists expect the Federal Government will list koalas as vulnerable to extinction. If listed under the tough Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, it will mean any land owner, developer, farmer, council or state or territory government proposing to clear habitat will have to show loss of vegetation is not harmful to one of Australia’s most famous marsupials. Mentions UQ’s researcher and committee member Dr Bill Ellis.
Darwin, Wallace & The Princess in the South
Australian Geographic
Australia and its wildlife had a surprising influence on the revolutionary theories of the evolutionary titans Charles Darwin and Alfred Russet Wallace. Mentions the Evolutionary Tale: Defeating Dengue. Professor Scott O’Neill has found a way to halve the lives of the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever.
The Great Pretenders
Australian Geographic
Many of Australia’s seemingly defenceless creatures employ ingenious methods to hide and seek in plain view. Mentions Dr Karen Cheney who comments on Queensland’s reefs.
For Fish in Coral Reefs, It’s Useful to Be Smart
The New York Times
To test the ability of fish to learn to discriminate shapes, a research team at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, trained damselfish to feed from a feeding tube to which they attached a variety of visual stimuli.
What makes the Wenlock so special?
Western Cape Bulletin l Courier Mail l ABC Far North Cairns l ABC 612 Brisbane l Seven Sunshine Coast l Seven Cairns
Field work by Queensland Fisheries Department scientists in the 1990’s discovered that the Wenlock has the most diverse freshwater fish fauna of any Australian River, and anyone who has fished the river can tell you how abundant the fish life is whether the water is fresh or salt! Mentions Professor Craig Franklin.
Scientists call on Qld Govt to use legislation to stop mine from going ahead
ABC Far North Cairns Radio
A group of scientists are calling on the Qld Govt to use Wild Rivers legislation to stop a mine from going ahead on the site of the proposed Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York Peninsula. Professor Craig Franklin, says the Qld Govt proposed declaration over the Wenlock River catchment currently excludes the mine site. He believes that mining bauxite would damage natural springs next to the site, as well as ecosystems that are home to rare and threatened species. Duration: 13:12
Steve Irwin Reserve in dispute
WIN Cairns Radio l Courier Mail
A bitter dispute is brewing over claims that part of the Steve Irwin Reserve on Cape York is the source of water for rare springs. Cape Alumina, the company that wants to mine the area, says the statements made by scientists aren’t correct. Chief Executive Paul Messenger says an environmental impact study currently being carried out disproves statements by Professor Craig Franklin from the UQ. Duration: 0:31
Irwin land claims disputed
Courier Mail
Cape Alumina, the company that wants to mine part of the Steve Irwin Reserve on Cape York, says scientists’ claims that its bauxite field is the source of water for rare springs are not correct. Mentions Professor Craig Franklin who comments.
Study shows two thirds of bird species have seen a decline in population in past five years
ABC1 National TV
A new Victorian study has found two thirds of bird species studied have seen a decline in population over the past five years. Researcher Prof Andrew Bennett, Dr Jim Radford and a team from Monash University independently tracked bird numbers in Central and Northern Victoria over a 15 year period. The study found that declining numbers in bird populations was not confined to endangered birds, and included kookaburras. Mentions Professor Hugh Possingham.
Research into abalone
ABC Capricornia Rockhampton Radio
Sol York, a PhD student, is investigating whether a fast growing kind of abalone will assist in the growth of aqua culture. Duration: 0:41
Clovelly’s elephant woman
Wentworth Courier l Courier Mail
Avoiding a herd of rampaging elephants, almost being squashed by another solitary elephant, and being chased by lions: it’s all been part of Tammie Matson’s work to conserve wildlife. Now in her early 30s, the Clovelly resident and expectant mum, who has a PhD in zoology from the University of Queensland, has just released her second book, Elephant Dance.
Biologists claim dam death trap: Approval conditions ’no help’
Courier Mail
Biologists say they have seen nothing to convince them that the 1200 conditions outlined in the Coordinator-General’s report into the Traveston Dam will save key threatened species. Professor Gordon Grigg, a scientific adviser to Queensland Water Infrastructure, which is behind the Traveston project, comments.
Claire just glowing as awards finalist
Fraser Coast Chronicle
A childhood spent on the family’s citrus orchards in Gayndah and Mundubbera started Australia’s foremost glow-worm expert Claire Baker’s interest in insects. Dr Baker lectures at UQ on Australian insects, glow-worms, frogs, lizards and snakes, is a part time presenter for Bugs Ed and has made guest appearances on television shows such as Totally Wild, Toasted TV and Scope.
Croc Hunter Jnr
Australian Women`s Weekly
Robert Irwin Jnr, son of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is stepping into his famous father’s khakis and wrestling crocs. Professor Craig Franklin comments.
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The University of Queensland honoured its outstanding teachers and education programs at its 9th UQ Excellence in Teaching & Learning Awards at Customs House. Congratulations to 
Welcome to Leeanne Hutchinson. Leeanne’s duties will include tutor appointments and casual salaries, School related finance; including purchase orders and general claims for course related expenditure, and back-up for Zac and Sinead during periods of leave. Leeanne is new to UQ, she was previously employed as an assistant to the financial controller of an international machinery & spare parts organisation. Please come and meet Leeanne.
