Hi All,
I tend to agree with Philip on this issue. I don't know anything about this project other than what Greg has written and what I've read in the link provided in the current email. But those people who are conducting this work would need approval to do it from the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme and an animal ethics experimentation committee, as well as having the necessary state permits to trap, handle and release wildlife. As part the approval process, those authorities sanction the methods used, ensure that adequately qualified and experienced researchers conduct the work (it looks like researchers from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Rio Tinto and Qld DES are involved http://www.riotinto.com/media/media-releases-237_26199.aspx ), and the researchers must report back on the types and numbers of animals handled, band and tag numbers, any difficulties they encountered, animal mortalities, suggestions on how techniques could be improved in future etc. If any of those authorities had concerns about the work, then they have the right to investigate and, if those concerns are upheld, then they can revoke the permits.
Please note, I'm not defending Rio Tinto's actions, necessarily, I'm just pointing out the general process that is involved. It's possible that Greg has uncovered some unethical practices and outcomes that the permit-issuing authorities are not aware are happening, in which case he has provided a useful service but, on the other hand, as Philip said, it may be an over-reaction.
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde NSW
From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of sandra henderson
Sent: 18 December 2018 11:05 AM
To: Birding-aus <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Red Goshawk research
A search using the words. rio tinto red goshawk reveals media releases and other publicity about the project.
Personally I'm not sure a mining company is the right organisation to be doing it though
Sandra henderson, Canberra.
On Tuesday, 18 December 2018, Philip Veerman <m("pcug.org.au","pveerman");">> wrote:
Really? Can we be certain of this?
I am also rather concerned about this but then I wondered why. There can be
useful benefits to learning about possible movements of these birds, and if
Rio Tinto have the funds to support it, and others don't, I would guess that
this (money) is an obvious answer to Michael's question about "What could
possibly induce". Even so, why it should happen that way raises suspicions
about motives and good work of Greg to bring to notice. It is odd if no
information has been made available from this. Maybe it takes time. Even so
at this stage I am wondering if there is an overreaction.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus [mailto:m("birding-aus.org","birding-aus-bounces");">] On Behalf Of
Michael Hunter
Sent: Tuesday, 18 December, 2018 8:01 AM
To: <m("birding-aus.org","birding-aus");">>
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Red Goshawk research
You can be certain that if Rio Tinto is not transparent about its Red
Goshawk intervention then they will be killing at least some of them.
What could possibly induce the Queensland Government to hand this project to
Rio Tinto itself rather than giving it to independent researchers.?
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
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