birding-aus

Koalas on KI

To: "R & J Frankenberg" <>, <>
Subject: Koalas on KI
From: "Scott O'Keeffe" <>
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 23:04:03 +1000
Yes-

We have to be very careful about rejecting, out of hand, any suggestions
that koalas may have a role in the loss of eucalypts.  While a fungal
problem may eventually prove to be the primary cause of tree decline,
perhaps Koalas play a role in dispersing the fungus.  Who knows.  Perhaps
with a decline in tree health, excessive grazing by koalas is the last straw
on the camels back as far as the trees are concerned.  Do we know enought at
present to make a wise decision?

Scott O'Keeffe

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 Behalf Of R & J
Frankenberg
Sent: 31 January 2002 17:39
To: 
Subject: Koalas on KI




Without knowing anything about KI vegetation, I find it quite credible that
in the absence of predators or disease, koalas could over-populate their
habitat.  Eucalypts can recover from defoliation, but not again and again
and again...  Yes there may be a fungus involved, but it may be fatal when
the trees are losing their vigour because of continual defoliation.

We have to be careful of the 'charismatic megafauna' syndrome here.   Just
because koalas look cuddly and cute, and are at risk from habitat loss and
disease on the east coast, we can't refuse to recognise reality elsewhere.
To spend vast sums catching, sterilising and releasing a few koalas is a
ridiculous waste of money.  ( It is probably just as stressful to the koala
as banding is to waders).   If populations (particularly introduced species)
get so big that they are destroying their habitat, they need to be carefully
culled - with associated research so that the results are understood.  If we
mess things up, we have to be responsible for managing the result.

If the koalas manage to kill most of the trees on KI it is not going to do
much for the local bird and mammal populations.   Please can there be a bit
of ecological and common sense here.

Judy Frankenberg


***************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and are
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you are not the original recipient, any use, dissemination,
forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited.
If you received this email in error, please notify the sender.

This message has been scanned for viruses by the Dragnet CleanMail Service.
***************************************************************************
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to 


Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to 


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the birding-aus mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU