Plants and Animals

The Japanese whaling fleet set sail yesterday in defiance of international condemnation with plans to land what could be the biggest catch of minke and humpback whales since the 1960s. As it has for more than two decades, the Japanese Government … [Read more...] about Japanese Whalers to Target Humpbacks

I’ve never seen a Potoroo – apparently members of the genus look like rats and can hop like kangaroos. The Gilbert’s Potoroo is Australia’s most endangered marsupial and it's not climate change but rather syphilis that may result in its extinction. … [Read more...] about Gilbert’s Potoroo to Survive Syphilis?

I photographed this praying mantid last night on the flowers of a Wax Jambu Syzygium samarangense. There are around 160 described species of mantid in Australia with the greatest diversity in the tropics. This large, robust female will produce a … [Read more...] about Praying Mantid

30,000 sea birds found dead on the beaches plus at least the same number of birds oil soaked and facing death. A number of dead dolphins are now found dead on the beaches as well. This might have been the biggest ecological catastrophe facing Russia … [Read more...] about Russia Facing the Worst Ecological Catastrophe Since Chernobyl? A Note from Ann Novek

International media reported back in August that Iceland will not issue new whaling permits for commercial whaling next season due to a “ lack of markets and demand”. Unfortunately for the whales , the Icelandic Government did a turn –around some … [Read more...] about Update on Whaling in Iceland – A Note from Ann Novek

Rabbits and rats are posing a severe threat to World Heritage values on Macquarie Island, as research reveals widespread damage to terrestrial ecosystems. This includes destruction of vegetation (habitat for threatened albatross species and other … [Read more...] about Ferals go Crazy on Australian Sub-Antarctic Island: Who Cares? A Note from Luke Walker