Author: AWPC

Tracy Dods at her property with a friend Share this page UPDATE LANDMARK CASE: TRACY DODS CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES ‘A former wildlife carer has been cleared of all charges of animal cruelty, five years and five days after WIRES and the RSPCA raided her Blue Mountains property and seized three kangaroos in her care. ‘Tracy Clare Dods, 56, of Kanimbla won her appeal in the Parramatta District Court on Friday, quashing the criminal conviction and sentence that included a ban on owning animals for five years. About 60 supporters from around the state, many of them fellow wildlife carers, travelled to the court for the judgment’, reported Caitlin Fitzsimmons  in the Sydney Morning Herald ( SMH) in mid-March. https://www.smh.com.au/environment/ conservation/former-wildlife-carer-s-conviction-for-animal-cruelty-overturned-20260311-p5o9ei.html The same article reported that Judge Nanette Williams criticised WIRES and RSPCA officers for behaviour that was “at times aggressive” during an unannounced visit in March 2021, and noted that the RSPCA as the prosecuting authority had failed to call crucial witnesses to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. At issue was Dod’s treatment of the painful injuries kangaroo Dolores suffered trying to navigate a fence, an all too often occurrence as kangaroos living amongst us face dangerous fencing including barbed wire, ringlock and dangerously spaced plain wires – all of which can lead to catching and ripping a leg, and other injuries.  Also at issue was the timing of diagnoses of the kangaroo’s injuries before and after Dod’s nursing care based on  experienced advice. Judge critical of RSPCA and WIRES case Judge Williams found for Dods on the basis that there was clear evidence showing she acted in good faith that her care was reasonable and adequate based on the veterinary and carer advice she did receive. Believing from initial medical diagnosis that there was no fracture, Dolores was treated as a typical fence-hanging injury, focusing on wound care. The judge found this was reasonable. Dr Rosemary Austen from Possumwood Wildlife hospital and recovery centre outside Canberra was finally allowed to testify as an expert witness about the training that carers receive regarding these types of injuries. She said recovery can take a long time and muscle wastage is common. Walking free after this five-year battle, Dods said she was in therapy as a result and still gets panic attacks when a strange vehicle drives on her property. “When I see the RSPCA logo, I feel fear and anger,” she told the SMH. Responsibility for costs will be decided in early June. Dods told the Herald she had spent about $140,000 defending herself, and had raised about $40,000 in crowdfunding from GoFundMe. Volunteer wildlife care in the spotlight: Inside the Tracy Dods case When a volunteer wildlife carer faces prosecution, the issue isn’t just about one animal.  This case raises big questions that concern all people who love Australian wildlife. Across each State, taxpayer-funded public institutions and most animal charities do not rescue, rehabilitate and release injured wildlife.  The job has fallen to caring citizens, sometimes financially supported by other members of a community via donations. Tracy Dods has spent years rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, often under extreme conditions. She volunteered on the frontlines during the catastrophic 2020 bushfires. Known for her dedication, honesty, and compassion, Tracy has rescued over 400 kangaroos and wallabies and paid for facilities at her home west of the Blue Mountains to rehabilitate them. Yet she is now at the centre of a criminal prosecution over her care of a kangaroo named Dolores — a case that could redefine how wildlife care is judged in Australia. Narrow legal question about ‘reasonable’ as dedicated carer convicted of ‘cruelty’ In this landmark case, Dods v R (RSPCA), Tracy’s integrity is not in dispute. The case revolves around a legal question that is narrow but profound in its possible impacts: Was it reasonable for Tracy to believe that Dolores did not require veterinary treatment from 20 February to 8 March 2021 given the information available, her training, and the circumstances at the time? The initial court case was brought by the RSPCA (which does not rehabilitate wildlife itself) on referral from WIRES after the two organisations raided Tracy’s property. The prosecution arguing that Dolores required veterinary treatment during this three-week period— care they say only a registered veterinarian can provide — and alleging that Tracy should have known this. The case was framed as a failure to act — not through malice, but through allegedly unreasonable judgment. The case has been under appeal after Tracy was convicted of aggravated cruelty. An appeal judgment is due in March. Dolores The RSPCA case relied upon post-mortem X-rays said to reveal a fracture – not noted by two veterinarians who early on saw Dolores – plus video footage interpreted as deterioration, as well as veterinary-led testimony that euthanasia was necessary. The case also invokes the principle that wildlife carers are held to a high standard of care. Much of the prosecution’s evidence rested on the opinion of a veterinarian, brought in by WIRES. His testimony displayed no experience with the rescue and rehabilitation of injured kangaroos, according to court observers who had much experience treating injured macropods: a lengthy task involving medication, vet visits and rest amidst the animals’ stress response when handled The defence for Tracy has consistently argued that Tracy’s conduct must be assessed based on what she knew at the time, not through the lens of hindsight. When Tracy first took on Dolores’ care, she was told the kangaroo had been seen by a vet, X-rays were clear and the injuries were consistent with those of a kangaroo caught in a fence referred to as ‘fence-hanger’: open wounds and tendon damage. The primary concerns were infection control and restoring mobility. In 2019, Tracy completed the fence-hanger course’ presented by private wildlife rescue and treatment facility Possumwood Wildlife Recovery and Research in southern NSW. Based on years of experience rescuing fence-hangers, Possumwood teaches that recovery from such injuries can be slow and highly variable. The training

Royal Spoonbill with Grey Teal, images courtesy of Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting. Share this page Respect and appreciation out-shoots killing culture Did you know? Birdwatching, popular with individuals and families, is a huge and growing recreational activity, with economic benefits over $41 billion in the United States alone, according to recent research. Data on economic and mental health benefits of tourism and birdwatching was gathered by Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting https://www.regionalvictoriansotds.com/post-1/birds-to-give-wings-to-rural-economiesThis work evolved to counter the current Victorian government practice of every year opening wetlands to bird/duck killers: an invasion that hurts more than the avian population. Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting spokesperson Kerrie Allen has told media audiences in Victoria: “The number of domestic birdwatching tourists presents a huge opportunity to areas around regional Victoria endowed with stunning wetlands and native waterbirds, many unique to our country. Sadly, many such areas, are financially stressed. Photo: https://www.regionalvictoriansotds.com/the-beauty-gallery “The fact they are duck shooting areas for a handful of recreational native bird shooters hasn’t helped. “Studies show most tourists will choose to go somewhere else, (where there is no shooting).  The tourism data is more strong evidence that change is in regional Victoria’s best interests. Duck shooting needs to cease, so birdwatching along with our native waterbirds and the rural towns blessed with them, can flourish.” “More overnight tourists went birdwatching than visited the reef… domestic tourism alone was worth $80 billion to Australia in the year ending December 2019. Their research showed that the total number of domestic birdwatching tourists was 866,000 in the year ending December 2019. More overnight tourists went birdwatching than visited the reef, 44% more… Excluding international tourist data, domestic tourism alone was worth $80 billion to Australia year ending December 2019. The unique Australian native animals in general attract a high level of tourist interest, yet domestically many are persecuted and commercially trafficked. Kangaroos still suffer from a huge commercial trade in skins and meat, supported by all governments. They are also killed, as they have been since colonisation, in removal programs to suit commercial interests. In the national capital, kangaroos are today shot in high numbers in a controversial, hard-to-fathom annual government ‘cull’.  Yet, before the killing started they were documented to be major tourist attractions for Canberra and the ACT, being easily visible in city reserves, co-existing nicely with most human neighbours. People with shotguns menace wetlands From March to June every year more than half of Victoria’s public wetlands estate, some 280,000 hectares, is open to individuals carrying shotguns aiming to harm native birds, and effectively locking out the vast majority of Australian citizens.  (South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania continue with similar bird hunting seasons). Victorian community members say there is no government public safety strategy attached. They report that a 2021 survey of 800 regional people found more than half felt unsafe with bird shooters around. Country businesses are impacted. For example properties experience stressed livestock – ‘freaked out’ horses are mentioned.  The region experiences loss of tourism income as people leave to avoid walking or camping near the shooters. The local indigenous community is opposed, saying that from their view of humans and other species, “shooting them you are shooting one of our people”. Check out the website maintained by Kerrie and her wildlife advocate colleagues. It has great photos and much more information: https://www.regionalvictoriansotds.com/Newsflash —  Bird watching: delightful new hobby for football stars https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/once-synonymous-with-retirees-in-cargo-shorts-this-hobby-has-a-new-crowd-20260226-p5o5s8.html

Photo: In the Flinders Ranges photo by Maria Taylor Share this page EMUS – HAPPY DAYS WITH RESIDENTS OF COASTAL VILLAGE Emus ranged widely across Australia and were numerous on the east coast when the European colonists started arriving in the 18th century. Like other Australian native grazing animals they continue to play a vital role in managing their habitats/ecosystems leading to the landscape we inherited (more on that later in this story). The large flightless birds were recorded as joining colonists on parade in Sydney in a friendly fashion in the early days before the hunting started. But soon a removal policy to suit European -style agriculture targeted emus as it did other Australian natives. A historical climax of this policy came with an infamous but also bemusing ‘emu war’ in WA that even drew in the Australian military.  Emus and their eggs have continued to be the target of agricultural land managers, particularly in the west and Australian governments have supported the removal of indigenous species everywhere (until they become formally ‘endangered’ and then bureaucracies take a bow for doing something positive).A recent report in the Sydney media documented the prevalence of lethal removal of wildlife by urban developers amongst their first activities at a site.  Mammals are poisoned and birds like cockatoos and hawks become the victims of secondary poisoning eating the carcasses. Many bird species and their nests are also the victims of chainsaw destruction. https://www.smh.com.au/environment/ conservation/the-sydney-suburbs-where-developers-are-killing-the-most-wildlife-20260209-p5o0m9.html Coexistence in a coastal village Against that background, a good news story from the NSW South Coast was great to see as we strive for coexistence with our remaining wildlife.  The following heart-warming and unexpected neighbourhood story from Potato Point comes with thanks to an ABC report by James Tugwell with some of his reported quotes and supplied images repeated below. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-17/potato-point-emu-population-east-coast-beach/105185358 “A businessman shipped in a population of about a dozen emus from Western Australia 30 years ago to live on his private island — Horse Island — at the mouth of the Tuross River.”What he didn’t realise was that emus are proficient swimmers, and soon his imported pets had made a break for the mainland — 20 to 100 metres away, depending on the tide”. Photo: supplied: Eurobodalla Shire Council Tugwell quotes local wildlife volunteer Rachel McInnes who didn’t know Potato Point, 8 kilometres east of Bodalla, had emus when she moved to the area 18 years ago. “It’s a joy to go out your back or front door and see a couple of emus walking down the street,” she says.”It’s hilarious when you look down on the beach and think: ‘What’s that? Is that a person? No, it’s an emu.’. She said seeing the wildlife makes living in a beautiful place even more special. Photo: with local surf lifesaver, supplied: Eurobodalla Shire Council Ms McInnes said humans and emus live together in harmony at Potato Point. “They are protected here. We give them space and they are happy to coexist.”  But for visitors and tourists, she warns off selfie shots. “Don’t ever think you’re going to get a selfie with a wild emu. They are absolutely a wild animal.”The population struggled at first.  But Tugwell reports that with the National Parks and Wildlife Service placing fox baits throughout the national park, Potato Point and the surrounding Eurobodalla National Park have become an emu haven.”Every year we see chicks, and lots of them,” Ms McInnes said. t’s a topic of conversation when the new chicks are hatched: ‘How many have you seen? This year, one local spotted a male emu with 21 chicks.” Emu ecological role From public sources we learn that emus play a crucial role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of Australian ecosystems. Their grazing helps control vegetation growth as they disturb the soil, promoting seed germination and increasing plant diversity. Their droppings provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Emus are also seed dispersers, aiding in the regeneration of native vegetation. They have a unique digestive system that utilizes grit and stones to grind up their food, and they follow migratory locust swarms, feasting on the insects. Emus are omnivorous, eating seeds, flowers, fruits, and tender roots. In summer, they eat insects, especially caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, and also small vertebrates.The ABC story includes an interview with Western Sydney University ecological statistician Julia Ryeland who said emus are catalysts for bush regeneration by transporting seeds that get stuck in their claws or that pass through their digestive system. She said they are quite a key seed disperser among different landscapes.”They are one of the few species that are completely generous. They more or less eat anything, and they can transport really large amounts of seed really quite far distances…”Author and journalist and AWPC editor Maria Taylor has documented the ongoing story of native animal removal in Australia in her book ‘Injustice… ‘

A cockatoo can perform many dance moves. (Image supplied to ABC: Irena Schulz) Share this page DANCE TO THE MUSIC, CELEBRATE LIFE! Here’s a sweet festive season story:  a reminder that it’s not only humans who respond to rhythm and music – as some of us have learned observing our animal companions chilling with music, from classical to jazz, rock to country.  According to this ABC story (accompanied by a delightful video of a white cockatoo’s dance moves supplied courtesy of Cell Press), a Charles Sturt University study has documented dance moves unique to cockatoo species. Researchers hope music can be used to improve the wellbeing of birds in captivity. A praiseworthy goal. We may agree that our wild birds should not be in captivity in the first place, not least the gregarious and active parrots and cockatoos but since they are, consider zoos, stimulating engagement with music should help. Headbanging and sidestepping to music The story by regional ABC reporter Coco Veldkamp, draws on a study published in the journal PLOS One that found cockatoos can headbang, body roll and sidestep intentionally to music. In the study, researchers found some cockatoos had their own signature moves, unique to each individual, while other species appeared to favour different styles. https://vimeo.com/1148537462https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-07/cockatoos-have-unique-dance-moves-csu-study-finds/105600994 The ABC story reports: “Spontaneous dancing in time to music had only been officially recorded in humans until Snowball, the sulphur-crested cockatoo, went viral for dancing to the Backstreet Boys more than a decade ago. This link offers another cockatoo dancing sequence featuring Snowball the lab cockatoo. “In 2019, in a Current Biology study, professor of psychology at Tufts University, Aniruddh Patel, and his colleagues explored Snowball’s ability to dance spontaneously, challenging the long-held belief that sophisticated movement to music was uniquely human. “The study showed that Snowball developed 16 distinct moves without any formal training to dance.…By studying dancing to music in numerous parrots across several species, the new study found 17 new moves.”  The Australian Charles Sturt researchers worked with Major Mitchells cockatoos as well as Sulphur-Crested cockatoos and Galahs at Wagga Wagga zoo. They reported: “One particularly enthusiastic Major Mitchell cockatoo made a total of 257 moves in sequence while listening to a 20-minute loop of The Nights.”

Share this page HOPE AND ACT FOR NATURE Our AWPC mission is to encourage each of us to co-exist positively with the nature around us, find solutions to local nature destruction and actively work for wildlife people, our fellow species, and their habitats. Linked are a couple of stories on the threat to our mutual habitat, this small green planet, with a call for us as citizens to be proactive – demand effective remedies for restoration of atmospheric balance and not be sidetracked and hobbled by the weak or dismissive and distracting response we now see from elected political leaders. Do they have a death wish?  The stakes are about the whole of biodiversity as much as human survival in the comfy ‘civilizations’ we enjoy. The call for individual action for the planet and our fellow species is nicely put by the eminent zoologist Jane Goodall in a foreword to a recent book profiling community action for nature around the world, Echos from Eden. (Jane Goodall, main image. Source: ABC, supplied by The Jane Goodall Institute). She writes: “One of the questions I am asked most often is: Do you honestly believe there is hope for our world? And I answer truthfully that we do have a window of time during which we can start healing the harm we have inflicted on the planet – but the window is closing….  We must get together and take action now. “My definition of hope is different from simple optimism – just passively hoping that something will happen. No, for me hope is generated through action… the cumulative effect of thousands of ethical actions will improve our world for future generations.” To consider: links to climate change/nature stories courtesy of The Guardian Net zero is an insidious loophole that distracts from the scientific imperative to eliminate fossil fuels writes Joëlle Gergis https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree /2025/nov/07/net-zero-distracts-from-scientific-imperative-to-eliminate-fossil-fuels-cop30?CMP=share_btn_url What are we offered as daily media fare on climate change? The spectacular nonsense of the Coalition’s internal brawl over the 2050 net zero emissions target https://www.theguardian.com /environment/commentisfree/2025/nov/11/ coalition-brawl-australia-2050-net-zero-emissions-target?CMP=share_btn_url Biodiversity is in catastrophic decline. Here are three ways to ensure Australia’s conservation law actually works | Atticus Fleming and Andrew Macintosh https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree /2025/oct/28/australia-conservation-law-biodiversity-decline?CMP=share_btn_url

Share this page Virtual fencing: SAVES LIVES, TRAUMA, CAR INSURANCE CLAIMS The Australian Wildlife Protection Council applauds the success stories emerging from some areas in Victoria, Tasmania, and on the South Coast of NSW involving virtual fencing placed to stem wildlife kills on our roads.Virtual fencing is a relatively inexpensive technology designed to alert animals to oncoming traffic. It involves the installation of small roadside devices on posts spaced approximately 25 metres apart. The devices emit high-frequency sounds and flashing lights when they detect the headlights of approaching vehicles at night or in low-light conditions. Supplied ImagesThese signals are designed to deter animals, particularly kangaroos, from crossing the road when a vehicle is approaching. The technology does not harm wildlife or require fencing that restricts animal movement across the landscape. 90% fewer kangaroo strikes at known road hotspot Virtual fencing has proven effective in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. On the NSW South Coast, 1.1kms (46 posts) of virtual fencing were installed on 8 October 2022. Prior to that installation and during the peak holiday season, wildlife rescue volunteers and council staff were attending up to five wildlife strikes per week. After the virtual fencing was installed, only five kangaroos were struck in eight months. That is a 90% reduction in kangaroo fatalities along a known hotspot.On Victoria’s Surf Coast, a virtual fencing trial has halved the number of vehicle collisions with macropods (kangaroo species) at a known hotspot. Trial proposed for Canberra Canberra’s wildlife advocates took note, and are proposing a virtual fencing trial at a known kangaroo fatality hotspot. In September, ACT Greens Deputy Leader, Jo Clay, tabled a community petition signed by 1350 people. It calls for a trial of virtual fencing along Erindale Drive to reduce collisions with wildlife, kangaroos and wombats. If effective, the trail on Erindale Drive between Farrer Ridge and Wanniassa Hills could be expanded to other known hot spots.Accidentally hitting wildlife with a car is incredibly distressing – for the animal, the driver, people who witness it…“It is not easy for anyone to see an animal in pain and, in most cases, die,” Ms Clay said.Canberra has prided itself as the bush capital, surrounded by nature. However there has long existed a conflicting picture of the capital and its relationship with nature. The positive virtual fencing initiative pushes back at the brutal killing of kangaroo families on city nature reserves, an ACT government policy for the past decade. Moving to virtual fencing also highlights likely reasons, involving motorist complaints, driving that lethal government policy. Lead petitioner Aisha Bottrill (image at start of story) of Save Canberra’s Kangaroos has attended many incidents on Erindale Drive. She says she learned from wildlife carers, the ones on the frontline caring for animals hit by vehicles. They have reported seeing a decrease in call outs in places where there is virtual fencing. “That’s why wildlife carers have been calling for virtual fencing to be rolled out in more areas. They know it works and can see firsthand the impact it has on reducing collisions.” Insurance firms in pivotal place Save Canberra’s Kangaroos (SCK) is seeking sponsorship from insurance companies to fund the trial. Success would confirm the potential for savings on personal injury payouts, and reduce the number and cost of motor vehicle claims. SCK points out that in the longer term this should also reduce motor vehicle premiums and provide a greater return to shareholders, while protecting our precious wildlife from car strikes. AWPC has supported the outreach to insurance companies as partners. Winter, spring months increase collision potential AAMI and NRMA insurance claims data show that on average collisions with wildlife are more common during the winter months and into spring (Sept/October). Animals are on the move for food or involve males leaving the home range in spring. Short winter days involve more driving time in lower light conditions plus poorer weather conditions increase the chances of hitting an animal, particularly early morning and during dusk (commuting hours). Claims data from July 2024 – June 2025 showed AAMI processed over 23,840 wildlife-related claims, with regional roads being particularly dangerous. Canberra had the most animal collisions in an Australian city, according to 2020 AAMI claims data.An ACT Parks and Conservation chart pertaining to Eastern Grey Kangaroos collisions, supports insurance company data that winter and spring are the worst months. Look at your area Consider advocating for virtual fencing in your council area. We’ll endeavour to keep you posted on this initiative or follow SCK Facebook and Instagram.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-23/eurobodalla-virtual-fence-trial-reducing-roadkill-incidents/102880624https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/environment/native-and-threatened-species/virtual-fencinghttps://ger.org.au/first-trial-of-virtual-fencing-to-reduce-wildlife-roadkill-on-nsw-south-coast-deemed-a-major-success/

Share this page EVERY WEEK IS A GOOD WEEK TO LEARN FROM OUR FIRST NATIONS We meet ‘Back to Country’ A top AWPC focus today and going forward is to campaign for respectful co-existence with ALL Australian native animals and Australia nature. To re-establish respect that comes with compassion and some basic ecological understanding, and relegate to the dustbin of history today’s lethal ideas and modes of wildlife ‘management’ with traceable roots in colonial thinking.Recent political news spotlights again how close we are to those colonial roots. Not so long ago the Victorian government was shooting koalas out of trees as a ‘management’ solution. We then heard that the NSW Labor government, (for the numbers to pass some legislation limiting workers compensation!) proposed to support a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party bill that would enshrine recreational hunting across public lands, plus reinstitute bounties for wild animals.History has dark reminder of the massacres of Australian native animals using bounties. Marsupials – particularly kangaroo species, dingos, emus, were extensively slaughtered with bounties to suit colonial farming takeover of Country. Are we stuck in 19th century colonial land management methods? Looking for a mutually healthier relationship with Australian nature, we can learn much from the worldviews and Country-care philosophies of Australia’s First Nations – that go well beyond the popular topic of learning indigenous techniques for cool patch burning. Back to Country’s Peter Hewitt (L) with Anthony McKnight, both educators at the University of Wollongong. Timeless understanding of these Australians To end the industrial-scale slaughter of kangaroos in Australia, the world’s biggest land-based wildlife killing with a related trade in kangaroo body parts – that many Australians accept as normal behaviour – a change of frame is essential. A positive change is to respect kangaroos as fellow communities, family groups and individuals with beneficial agency in ecosystems and equal right to be here. For some indigenous communities kangaroos are a sacred totem/family relative or ancestor. All Australian native animals, also for trees and plants, for rivers and other natural landforms parallel stories of respect and co-dependence are told in Aboriginal stories.A door, which has been open for thousands of years, was given focus by Yuin Elder Max Dulumunmun Harrison, who is now in the dreaming, aimed to restore respect and mainstream Australia’s understanding of the kangaroo: an animal that the dominant post-colonial culture treats as a ‘pest’ or a product. In 2021 Uncle Max, working with kangaroo advocacy groups to educate the public here and abroad, published ‘The Yuin Declaration for Kangaroos’ explaining how kangaroos have helped create (and still do) the Australian land we inhabit, their family nature, and their kinship with his people, also the ‘iconic’ status of the kangaroo in the European culture that nevertheless disrespects and persecutes them. He wrote: “The kangaroo has inhabited the Australian continent for over 20 million years, living in peace and ecological harmony. The kangaroo co-exists today as they have for millenniums, in balance with the flora fauna and livings being of this land. This ancient iconic native animal, therefore claims sovereign rights above and beyond any human claims of dominion over them.“Kangaroos are intelligent, sentient beings, living in family groups and have their own songlines, language, culture and dreaming. As they traverse their own dreaming tracks they continue to activate the earths songlines for the survival of all living things.“We declare that there exists a living ancestral relationship, uniquely bound between indigenous Australians and kangaroos, which shall be preserved historically, spiritually, culturally and environmentally for all times.“Kangaroos have been acknowledged as the symbol for colonised Australia since 1773. They are observed on the Coat of Arms, and have become the central national icon. The kangaroos abounding power, and soft majestic movement, and gentle elegance has given this landscape its unique character.”https://www.kangaroosalive.org/yuin-declaration Back to Country Uncle Max was instrumental in establishing Back to Country, a not-for-profit organisation. Back to Country is an Indigenous-led initiative that invites our people and Second Nations peoples to give back to Country, and, in doing so, to heal Country and heal themselves. It’s a culturally grounded organisation set up in the way we do cultural work but also through the Western knowledge system to bring those two systems together.To learn more about Back to Country and explore a worldview of respect and mutual responsibility towards the nature around us, AWPC spoke with two educators, Anthony McKnight (Macka) and Peter Hewitt (Pete), from the University of Wollongong (UoW), who served as spokespeople for Back to Country. Anthony McKnight is an Awabakal, Gumaroi, and Yuin cultural man and Associate Professor, working as Curriculum Transformation Lead at the University of Wollongong (UoW). Peter Hewitt is a Jerrinja/Yuin man and Lecturer in Aboriginal Education.Peter Hewitt has been working closely with Kangaroos Alive on their campaigns to stop the international trade in kangaroo skins and continue public education highlighting First Nations values. Here are some of the questions and themes from the chat with AWPC’s Maria Taylor. The answers come from Macca and Pete. Questions or topics in bold. What is the aim of Back to Country? Our culture is all about finding connections – there are many points we can connect to, to reduce the overall influence of the colonial systems that have done all the damage.An example “the hydrology of the land. How do we bring both knowledge systems together to repair what has been (badly) changed? We, First Nations, took care of the land so we didn’t have to do the repair. Farmers hold knowledge now about that landscape so there are ways we can learn from each other.Uncle Max taught us how to interpret and read the text of the land, be guided by Country. Some of the work Back to Country does is invite non-Aboriginal people to see the text of the land. How do you do that? The first stage is teaching people how to look, listen and see. That is a legacy that has been passed down from Grandfather Sun to Uncle Max who is now

Share this page IT WORKS! SHUT-DOWN WILDLIFE TRADE BUYER by BUYER Here’s a very good news story after decades of a related horror story – with some way still to go for redemption.The shameful trade in kangaroo body parts, backed by Australians federal and state governments and major political parties, declined again in May thanks to US, Australian and European citizen campaigns. The goal: to end the demand for kangaroo skins for human apparel, including luxury fashion brands and motorcycle gear and popular for sports shoes like soccer cleats. Adidas, one of the last shoe brands still using kangaroo leather, announced it would phase out the practice. Australia’s Kangaroos Alive team, including First Nations representatives, has been campaigning with European partners to stop the kangaroo skin trade. Australian kangaroo advocacy groups protested in front of domestic shoe stores in support.At the same time, The US Centre for a Humane Economy (CHE) took another credit for its ‘Kangaroos Are Not Shoes’ campaign aimed at persuading markets to use alternatives to the skin of the beloved Australian icon and finally shut down a long-running, brutal wildlife trade. The world’s biggest land-based wildlife slaughter Photo Credit: Australian Wildlife Protection Council (AWPC)Australian businesses, with state approval, conduct the world’s biggest land-based wildlife slaughter and have for decades. It is a horrific native animal butchery and export trade that has been resolutely ignored or denied in the public arena while Australian politicians and media lecture other countries about slaughtering whales and baby seals. The domestic silence and approval has been a reason to take the opposition campaigns to overseas markets.CHE reported that Japanese-owned ASICS is similarly phasing out the use of kangaroo skins for sports shoes. Below, excerpts from news releases by both organisations with more detail and a look at the next targets. ‘Kangaroos are not shoes’ campaign news “Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Center for a Humane Economy, received a pledge from the CEO of Adidas at the company’s annual general meeting in Fürth (in Germany in May). Nike, Puma, New Balance, Diadora, and U.K.-based Sokito made prior announcements about divorcing their companies from the kangaroo skin trade.“With the rapid-fire announcements from ASICS and Adidas, we’re witnessing the dismantling of a supply chain built on bloodshed and the orphaning of kangaroo joeys,” said Pacelle. “The foreign markets for kangaroo skins are collapsing, and that can only mean good news for the iconic marsupials of Australia.”“ASICS has acknowledged a fundamental truth: the commercial slaughter of wild kangaroos for their skins is neither ethical nor morally defensible,” said Jennifer Skiff, director of international programs at the Center for a Humane Economy and lead of the organization’s Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign. “ASICS’s innovative materials outperform kangaroo leather, removing any justification for continuing this inhumane trade.“With ASICS stepping away from kangaroo leather, the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action are ramping up efforts to persuade Mizuno — the last major athletic shoe brand still using kangaroo leather — to make the same commitment.“Complementing the work with corporations, Animal Wellness Action is also spearheading support for the Kangaroo Protection Act — a bill in the U.S. Congress to ban the import and sale of products made from kangaroo parts. Learn more and take action at KangaroosAreNotShoes.org” The European campaign Sydney-based Kangaroos Alive wrote “German sports brand ADIDAS reported that they will stop all use of kangaroo skins in their football boots. ADIDAS CEO Bjorn Gulden made the announcement at their AGM last week, saying ‘We haven’t purchased any kangaroo leather since August of last year. By the end of 2025, Adidas’ production will be 100 percent kangaroo leather-free’. Building on Australian international campaigns in the 1990s to end a Russian market for kangaroo meat and push back on Chinese interest for same, also UK’s VIVA campaign ending supermarket retailing of kangaroo meat, [detailed in my book Injustice… ], in 2019 Kangaroos Alive, “helped create a coalition of EU groups to stop the import of kangaroo products into Europe. This campaign was launched following European screenings of their film KANGAROO A Love Hate Story. The film was screened in the European Parliament and to several big brands, including ADIDAS.“The EU coalition first met with ADIDAS management in Germany in 2019 who pushed back on our requests. What followed was a long public campaign lobbying ADIDAS. However we did have immediate success with other major European fashion brands including PRADA, GUCCI, DIADORA and Europe’s largest Supermarket chain CARREFOUR. They all stopped using or selling kangaroo body parts demonstrating openness to protecting wildlife from harm. Kangaroos Alive published this list of companies that were using kangaroo leather or meat in 2018. Those that have stopped since, thanks to citizen lobbying (including the viewing of the KANGAROO film) are noted by a green cross. That would now include ASICS. Kangaroos Alive’s media release continued:“Over the years since we started campaigning in Europe with our EU partners, Kangaroos Alive have helped convince other major international companies to stop using kangaroo skins. Including German brand PUMA, Dutch Sports store INTERSPORT, and the world’s biggest sports store French franchise DECATHLON. “Special mentions to GAIA in Belgium and Pro Wildlife in Germany who got the ADIDAS campaign started in 2019; and to other coalition members including LAV Italy, World Animal Protection The Netherlands, Animal Welfare Institute, Voiceless, Back to Country, coordinated by Eurogroup for Animals. And special thanks to all our colleagues who have pressured ADIDAS in this campaign including Animals Australia, Victorian Kangaroos Alliance, Animal Justice Party, Center for a Humane Economy, Their Turn and NY Class.“Last year co-founder Mick McIntyre travelled to Vietnam because it is one of the world’s biggest importers of kangaroo skins. The screening [of KANGAROO…] in Ho Chi Minh City – home to ADIDAS’s largest shoe factory – was a big success. Representatives from several corporations, including ADIDAS attended the screening. “Looking ahead as we celebrate this latest victory for kangaroos, there are still many brands who are part of the killing of Australian

Share this page Citizen campaign = Council vote AGAINST kangaroo industry “We are SO delighted to announce that the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council, in the state of Victoria have voted in favour of advocating against the kangaroo industry operating within the Shire. This is a HUGE victory, and we are so thrilled and grateful to the Councillors who UNANIMOUSLY supported the motion. A special thanks to Cr Len Cox OAM for leading the motion, Cr Tim Heenan for seconding, and Cr Fiona McAllister for her heartfelt support.Thank you to local environmentalist Peter Preuss [also onetime AWPC president] for spearheading this campaign so diligently, and to those who joined him on our working group – Helena (our coordinator), Aunty Janet, Dr Tash, Mike, Peter and Andrea, Kate, and Meaghan. Everyone has worked so tirelessly. And to the community members who have rallied behind this campaign – written, called, shared, contributed, showed up… you’re all incredible.There were lots of amazing quotes that we wanted to capture from the Councillor’s comments. Here are a couple that we wrote down as faithfully as possible, though maybe not exactly verbatim! ‘I think [this motion] is one of the most important things to have come in front of this Council for many years.’- Cr Len Cox OAM ‘They are part of the makeup of Australia, and they have been here much longer than us.’ – Cr Tim Heenan‘The harvesting scheme does not pass the moral test… it does not look to me that it has been managed appropriately’. – Cr Peter McIlwain‘If we were talking about ‘harvesting’ koalas or dogs there would be such an outcry… in our part of the world I see no need to kill kangaroos in this context, for money.’ – Cr Fiona McAllister‘If we are going to care for Country under our Acknowledgment [of Country], then we need to care for all of it, and that includes the kangaroos’. – Cr Jeff MarriottSo where to from here? We wait for the Council to formally notify the state government that they want the Shire of Yarra Ranges to be excluded from the commercial kangaroo industry. If Victorian Labor listens to the voice of their constituents, they will grant this request and the Shire will be exempt from commercial shooting. If they ignore it, the Council’s decision remains a strong indictment against the kangaroo industry, and will serve as a reinforcing precedent for other councils also seeking an exemption. They have dealt another blow to this vile wildlife trade, and stand firmly on the right side of history. This is a vital win, proving that Australians want the killing of kangaroos to stop. The assignment now is to get all councils to stop the commercial kangaroo industry operating within their borders! We are inspired by local environmentalist Peter Preuss “I believe we saw democracy in action on April 8. While obviously not everyone agrees that the commercial killing of kangaroos is unwarranted, unacceptably cruel and unsustainable, the view of the majority of Yarra Ranges residents, workers and visitors to the Yarra Ranges was upheld. The commercial killing of kangaroos is simply unwanted.”Huge thanks to all involved in the Yarra Shire win and keep up the great work!!Photos: VicKangas.org Tamsin Ramone VisitYarraValley.com.au Advocacy group Kangaroos Alive added: Dedicated to protecting our national icon“Kangaroos are intelligent, sentient beings, living in family groups and have their own songlines, language, culture and dreaming. As they traverse their own dreaming tracks, they continue to activate the earth’s songlines for the survival of all living things.” from Back to Country and Uncle Max Harrison We at Kangaroos Alive acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. Close to our heart is the Yuin Declaration For Kangaroos

Share this page Victory amidst wildlife crisis: Sydney council joins fight against deadly rat poisons In a significant step for wildlife protection, Camden Council has become the latest in a line of local governments to eliminate Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) from all their facilities. This watershed moment comes hot on the heels of alarming new research revealing these deadly poisons are infiltrating Australia’s most iconic marsupial species. Growing movement for change Camden Council’s decisive action shows momentum for change is building across New South Wales. Following Albury City’s pioneering decision to discontinue their use of SGARs earlier this year, Camden’s commitment to wildlife-friendly rodent management proves that councils are increasingly recognising the devastating ecological impacts of these indiscriminate killers. “By removing SGARs from all council buildings and parks, Camden has created a safer environment for nearly 200 native species in their region,” notes Animal Liberation’s campaign director. “Their swift response after learning about the risks shows that change isn’t just possible — it’s happening now”. Devastating evidence of marsupial poisoning While council actions so far are cause for celebration, groundbreaking research has uncovered a disturbing new dimension to this crisis. SGARs are now confirmed to be poisoning some of Australia’s most beloved and endangered marsupials, with catastrophic consequences: 50% of tested marsupials, including Tasmanian Devils and Quolls, carried SGARs in their bodies 21% contained multiple poison types, creating deadly toxic cocktails Up to 17.3% likely died directly from SGAR poisoning — not predators, not habitat loss, but poisons sold freely in stores and online. Perhaps most alarming was the discovery that one Chuditch, or Western Quoll, contained one of the highest concentrations of SGARs ever recorded in a wild carnivore. For species already teetering on the edge of extinction, these poisons could be delivering the final blow. Deadly chain reaction through ecosystems Unlike traditional rodent management methods, SGARs create a ripple effect throughout ecosystems. When a Tasmanian Devil scavenges a poisoned carcass or a Spotted-tailed Quoll consumes contaminated prey, they ingest these long-lasting toxins. The victim suffers for days — weakened, disoriented, bleeding internally — before succumbing to a slow, painful death.This expanding body of evidence paints a grim picture: products marketed for “rodent control” are decimating Australia’s unique wildlife. From Powerful Owls to Tasmanian Devils, from Wedge-tailed Eagles to Eastern Quolls, and everyone in between — SGARs are pushing already threatened species closer to extinction. The Path Forward While Camden and Albury demonstrate leadership, much work remains to be done. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority continues to allow the sale of these deadly poisons online and in retail stores across the country, despite mounting evidence of their ecological harm.But together, we can accelerate change. Every signature on the petition to ban SGARs in NSW builds pressure on decision-makers. Every council that eliminates these poisons creates a safer habitat for native wildlife. And every voice raised in support of alternative rodent management brings us closer to breaking this toxic cycle forever.Will you join the movement to protect Australia’s remarkable wildlife from these indiscriminate killers? Sign the petition today at www.al.org.au/ban-rat-poisons and help ensure these iconic Australian species survive for generations to come.The dominoes are falling. From Albury to Camden, the tide is turning against SGARs. Your voice could be the one that tips the scales toward statewide action. What Should You Look For? Products containing SGARs are often sold under brand names or generic labels that can make them hard to identify at first glance. Commonly available SGAR products include: Brodifacoum-based products: Often sold under brands like ‘Talon’ or ‘Ditrac’. Bromadiolone-based products: Found in brands such as ‘Mortein Rat Kill’, ‘Just One Bite’, or ‘RatSak’. Difenacoum-based products: Less common but still available under certain control labels, such as ‘The Big Cheese’ or ‘Ratshot’. These products are often brightly packaged and placed alongside everyday household items, making them easy to purchase but devastatingly harmful when used. If you spot these products being sold or suspect they’re being used in your neighborhood, report them immediately so advocacy groups can take action.