6 replies to this topic

[nineteenineteen]

If you see any injured wildlife (or dead threatened species), or have a wildlife related issue (ie. how to evict stubborn possums in the roof) contact Biodiversity Conservation, Dept of Primary Industries & Water, on 6233 6556. It's an un-sexy name, but they are the official wildlife looker-after-ers in state govt (Parks & Wildlife also do, but DPIW have a section that deal with specifically with wildlife). This is the best go-to number for anything wildlife related, as they can transfer you on to the relevant section if need be, and can coordinate statewide response.

For those who obsess about having the correct phone number for all occasions, read on...

If you happen to live in a more "remote" part of the state (ie. west coast, far NW, central highlands/Derwent Valley), try your local Parks & Wildlife Office/Field Centre (under Dept Tourism, Arts & Environment in the whitepages), although I would only recommend going to them if it's an immediate concern about injured or orphaned wildlife. Anything else should go through Biodiversity Conservation, they coordinate things statewide.

If you're wandering along a beach & see some stranded whales, or an injured seal (ie Marine Mammals), you should give 0427 942 537 (0427 WHALES) a call - this will get you through to Marine Mammal Conservation, part of Biodiversity Conservation. Again, they will coordinate statewide response.

Feral animals - there is no specific feral animal go-to section in the state government (with the exception of foxes - see below). My suggestion (and experience) has been that local council is your best bet. Most Tasmanian councils have rangers & animal people to deal with such matters. If, however, the feral animal you have concerns about is in a reserved area, this comes under the umbrella of Parks & Wildlife, and you should contact the local field centre/office.

If think you've seen a fox (eep!), you'll need to contact Fox Eradication Branch (part of DPIW) on 1300 369 688 (1300 FOX OUT). Make sure you are absolutely sure it is indeed a fox you've seen (people often mistake roadkilled brushtail possums for foxes, for example), and be prepared to answer a LOT of questions about your sighting. All sightings are taken very seriously (hoaxers beware!), and will be treated confidentially.

If you think you've seen a Thylacine/Tasmanian Tiger, contact Biodiversity Conservation on 6233 6556...and make sure you have a clear photo/carcass/DNA swab/blood alcohol analysis when you do. And good luck.

[Mystic]

Thanks for the info Wayne. very useful to know those numbers.

I do like the suggestion that a blood alcohol analysis may be required for those spotting a thylacine LOL

[nineteenineteen]

One of my favourite anecdotes is that there are just as many Thylacine sightings reported on the mainland as there are in Tasmania - and they are fairly evenly distributed amongst all states (even Qld - the home of Bundaberg Rum ).

[tassiesim]

Thanks for that ,
I wonder though how many foxes there are really in Tasmania none i hope !

and if you saw a Tasmanian Tiger really what the heck would you do , specially the photographers amoungst us would you take its photo and not tell a soul, could you keep that to your self ? or would you tell people sare in your excitment and in doing so know that you are about to hit the big time no matter what ,
see if it was me I would want to put the Tasmanian Tigers thoughts first not my own , but do you have a responcibility to the tiger to tell the right people or to say nothing I wonder ??? opps sorry for the slight hijack

[nineteenineteen]

I'd want to let some trustworthy people know - the kind of people who can actually do something about it. But I would certainly want the location & most details to remain as closely guarded as possible, which opens the door for people (ie. the general public) to not believe you:

me: I found a thylacine, here's a photo, but I'm not telling you where I saw it, when I saw it, or anything. You'll just have to take my photo as proof.
them: yeah right. Do you make a habit of painting dogs?

Imagine the circus if someone actually found a real, living thylacine in the wild! Not something I'd want to put a wild animal through. So I wouldn't tell the public at large, certainly not go to the media. But if I didn't tell someone who could do something about it (Bidoversity @ DPIW!), I'd feel like I let the species down. We as a people certainly have a responsibility to look after any living threatened species (and the thylacine is still on the list), and this animal in particular - seeing as it was deliberate human action that condemned the poor beastie in the first place!

Just as an aside, I once read* that Maria Island was the location originally ear-marked in the 1960s for the relocation of any remnant thylacine population...

*I say that a lot, mostly because I can never remember the original source!

[wombatlover]

For times when you come across injured wildlife after hours - which is usually the case, you can contact a carer in your local area by ringing DPIWE during hours and getting a number off them for use after hours. I am a carer in the west tamar area and will pick up anything, anytime. If you require my number you can email me at izulwana@yahoo.com.au. Tracey

[toni_n_daz]

And don't forget Reptile Rescue Inc (0407 565 181)....we operate 24/7/365......I am one of the people DPIW, P&W and Police radio room will put you through to regarding reptiles.

Damn I get some calls during summer