Eurobodalla Gang Gang Project

Gang gang parrots are endangered and their population has declined by 70 percent in the last 20 years. "Eurobodalla Council is working with scientists, government agencies, community groups and citizen scientists to better understand the breeding behaviour of gang gangs since the 2019-20 bushfires, to improve conservation outcomes for this iconic and endangered parrot."

According to Dr Susan Rhind, lead scientist on the Eurobodalla Gang Gang Project: “Right now, the birds are gearing up for the breeding season and busy checking out hollows. So our focus is on finding the trees and hollows they decide to use.”

Last year the team installed nest boxes for cockatoos (cockatubes) in gang gang hotspots at Long Beach, Broulee, Mogendoura, Bingie, Meringo and Tilba.

The team is asking the public to report any sightings of gang gangs at tree hollow by email to ganggangfarsouthcoast@gmail.com or by logging onto iNaturalist.

Ref: Bird boffins seek gang gang sightings, The Beagle, 12 October 2022.

Virtual Fence at Long Beach

Eurobodalla Council will trial a virtual fencing system on Cullendulla Drive and Blairs Road at Long Beach. The trial will run for one year and is funded by Coastwatchers.

The virtual fence uses sound and visual alerts to deter animals from crossing the road. “The virtual fence is designed to reduce wildlife death and injuries, and reduce vehicle damage and potential injuries or deaths to occupants,” Eurobodalla Council’s natural resources supervisor Courtney Fink-Downes said.

Each fence consists of devices placed at 25-metre intervals (see photo) that are triggered in sequence by headlights as the vehicle moves along the road, so forming a virtual fence.

Approximately 900 metres of virtual fence has been installed along Cullendulla Drive (37 devices) and 200 metres along Blairs Road – both known roadkill hotspots identified by WIRES MSC.

Ref: Cullendulla virtual fence a state first, The Beagle, 21 October 2022.

Some Animals Self-Medicate

Chimpanzees in Long National Park in Gabon apply mashed up insects to their wounds. Roland Hilgartner observed: "Like a flash, Thea’s right hand reaches into the bushes. He catches an insect, maybe a fly, sitting on the underside of a leaf. He puts the animal in his mouth, lightly crushing it with his lips. He then carefully applies the resulting mush to his flesh wound, stroking it back and forth with his fingertips. He repeats the procedure a few more times before finally cleaning the wound with his fingers."

Other chimpanzees swallow the inner stem of an African shrub that contains anti-parasitic agents when they have worm infestations. The local people also use that shrub to treat intestinal pain. Gorillas swallow rough hairy plant parts when they are infested with roundworms. Orangutans treat themselves with dragon tree extract.

"Mechanisms of self-medication are known even among non-primates. Some bird species “bathe” on anthills to rid themselves of ectoparasites, such as feather mites, with the help of formic acid. At least one pregnant elephant in Kenya has been observed eating certain plants that local naturopaths also use to induce labor in pregnant women."

Ref: Roland Hilgartner, See rare photos of chimpanzees treating their wounds with insects, National Geographic, 27 October 2022.

Frog ID Week

11-20 November

Take part in Australia’s biggest frog count! Our frogs are under threat from habitat loss, disease and climate change. Recording frog calls with the FrogID app will help provide scientists with valuable data for the protection and conservation of frogs.

To take part, record and submit frog calls with the FrogID app, every day of FrogID Week if you can!

Ref: FrogID Week, Australian Museum, accessed 22 October 2022.

Children’s Book: Nellie-Roo

A kangaroo joey loses her mother in a tragic accident and has to adapt to a strange and alien human world before she can reach maturity and find freedom with other kangaroos.

This is a children's picture book with full page colour photos. It is the true story of an orphaned kangaroo joey. The story engages readers with its rhyming elements and kangaroo theme, which gives it a sense of fun and will captivate the young reader.

Available on Amazon as an e-book or a print book, or at a discount from the author.

See Nellie-Roo’s website at wildlifestorybooks.org