Closing ceremony for Commonwealth Games mascot?
08 Nov 2005
Commonwealth Games mascot Karak - the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo - will be forced to extinction if the Bracks Government continues to allow destruction of its critical habitat.
Karak is facing extinction with less than 1000 birds remaining and its habitat and food supply under constant threat from land clearing. Since European settlement 98 per cent of Bulokes - one of Karak's only three food sources - have been cleared for farming across Karak's range.
And now, with a new clearing application lodged with West Wimmera Shire, Karak's remaining habitat could soon disappear.
The Bracks Government must step in and stop the destruction before it's too late, say WWF-Australia, the Victorian National Parks Association and Birds Australia.
WWF-Australia spokeswoman and Victorian Threatened Species Network coordinator Julie Kirkwood said urgent action was needed to protect Karak's habitat.
"Slow growing Bulokes won't provide food for Karak for another 100 years. The survival of endangered Karak will be determined by the Bracks Government. This is a critical turning point - they must step in and protect the remaining Buloke trees," Ms Kirkwood said.
Twenty five Buloke trees are facing the chop in the latest land clearing application lodged with West Wimmera Shire.
Victorian National Parks Association spokeswoman Karen Alexander said clearing of Bulokes was the single greatest threat to the survival of the Karak.
"This latest clearing application is just the tip of the iceberg. Between 2003 and 2005 West Wimmera Shire and the Department of Sustainability and Environment approved the clearance of 338 buloke trees, out of applications to clear 351. Clearly current policy isn't working," Ms Alexander said.
Birds Australia project officer Richard Hill said the Government must honour its September promise to protect Karak's habitat using strict guidelines to assess clearing permits.
"Mr Bracks must ensure that the few remaining Buloke trees are protected immediately. If not, we will condemn Karak to extinction," Mr Hill said.
For more information
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Press Office
Phone: 02 8202 1274
Mobile: 0424 649 689
