Fed Bavendam/NGS

In what could arguably called a "no kidding" moment, researchers in Australia have found that placing a ban on fishing off the Great Barrier Reef. What is most interesting though, is the speed within which some species bounced back. The coral trout population increased by 68% in only two years, showing the dramatic affect (both negative and positive) that humans have on wildlife populations. Now if we could only all become vegetarians, there's be that many more animals to adore! To read the entire article from National Geographic, click here.

06/26/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, fishing, ban, fishing ban, trout, coral trout, Great Barrier Reef

 

KeresH

Unfortunately, the cute Tasmanian Devil marsupial has now been named an endangered species, by the Australian island state of Tasmania. A spokesman for WWF in Australia says "If the devils go, and the foxes and cats increase, it would be all over for a good dozen or more species of mammals?many of which are unique to Tasmania... not to mention lizards and ground-dwelling birds." The population has dropped between 6-8 fold in the last decade, so hopefully this drastic action will help save the devils. To read the entire article on National Geographic, click here.

06/02/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Tasmania, Tasmanian Devil, Tasmanian, Australia, Australian, marsupial, endangered

 

Here's an interesting video showing the concerns over dwindling shark populations in Australia, notably in the Coral Sea off the north east coast. Fortunately, there appears to be consensus and even a signed letter of understanding that will harmonize the goals of conservationists, tourists, tour operators and fishers. Click here to watch the video.

05/22/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, Coral Sea, sharks, coral reef, conservation, fishing, WWF

 

Stuart Edwards

It turns out the skyrocketing demand and price for oil is creating many millionaires from Russia, who in turn our buying an unprecedented amount of expensive houses and real estate in Australia, along Brisbane's famous Gold Coast. From the BBC, "Flush with wealth from oil and mining, Russian entrepreneurs are snapping up multi-million dollar waterfront mansions and luxury penthouses in Surfers Paradise and surrounding districts." To read the entire article, click here.

05/21/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Russia, Russians, Australia, Brisbane, Gold Coast, investment, real estate, luxury

 

BBC

Yes, it's true. From BBC News comes a report that a father in Alice Springs, Australia was found by police to be driving with a seatbelt around a case of beer while his child lay unsecured on the car's floor. The Constable on the scene said ""This is the first time that the beer has taken priority over a child... The child was sitting in the lump in the centre, unrestrained."

I guess you should be careful when visiting Australia's Northern Territory!
To read the entire story, click here.

05/13/08 by visitEarth
Tags: Australia, beer, child, seatbelt, seat belt, Alice Springs