Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Big Day for the Cassowary
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has officially handed over management of the Garners Beach cassowary rehabilitation facility to the Australian Rainforest Foundation.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ARF which now assumes the daily running of the world-class QPWS facility for sick, injured and orphaned cassowaries.
Speaking after the on-site signing at Garners Beach near Mission Beach Ms Nelson-Carr said the agreement was the result of first-rate teamwork between the two organisations.
“The foundation has appointed a manager/caretaker who will live on site and work directly with a QPWS officer and the community to achieve conservation outcomes for cassowaries and the environment.
“This will enable the department’s rangers to focus on broader management issues facing the iconic birds.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Rainforest Association Roger Phillips said with less than 1200 cassowaries remaining in the wild the recovery program was important globally in dealing with injured and distressed cassowaries, endangered birds that are crucial in the ongoing fight to protect and extend our remaining rainforests.
“QPWS and the local community must be congratulated on their work and the outcomes achieved in this area, particularly following Cyclone Larry, when the cassowary was dealt a huge blow,” Mr Phillips said.
Ms Nelson-Carr praised the ongoing efforts of QPWS and ARF staff and many residents for their commitment and dedication in rehabilitating cassowaries affected by urbanisation and natural disasters.
“After Cyclone Larry a supplementary feeding program involving 61 feeding stations was established for at-risk cassowaries while the native habitat recovered. At the program’s peak around 140 cassowaries were visiting the feeding stations in cyclone-ravaged areas.
“This agreement with the Australian Rainforest Foundation will enable better delivery of wildlife services in the Mission Beach area, including a range of cassowary support programs such as public education to raise the birds’ local profile,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media contact: Harry Landman (Ms Nelson-Carr’s office) or Helen Cook (ARF) 0439 878070
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ARF which now assumes the daily running of the world-class QPWS facility for sick, injured and orphaned cassowaries.
Speaking after the on-site signing at Garners Beach near Mission Beach Ms Nelson-Carr said the agreement was the result of first-rate teamwork between the two organisations.
“The foundation has appointed a manager/caretaker who will live on site and work directly with a QPWS officer and the community to achieve conservation outcomes for cassowaries and the environment.
“This will enable the department’s rangers to focus on broader management issues facing the iconic birds.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Rainforest Association Roger Phillips said with less than 1200 cassowaries remaining in the wild the recovery program was important globally in dealing with injured and distressed cassowaries, endangered birds that are crucial in the ongoing fight to protect and extend our remaining rainforests.
“QPWS and the local community must be congratulated on their work and the outcomes achieved in this area, particularly following Cyclone Larry, when the cassowary was dealt a huge blow,” Mr Phillips said.
Ms Nelson-Carr praised the ongoing efforts of QPWS and ARF staff and many residents for their commitment and dedication in rehabilitating cassowaries affected by urbanisation and natural disasters.
“After Cyclone Larry a supplementary feeding program involving 61 feeding stations was established for at-risk cassowaries while the native habitat recovered. At the program’s peak around 140 cassowaries were visiting the feeding stations in cyclone-ravaged areas.
“This agreement with the Australian Rainforest Foundation will enable better delivery of wildlife services in the Mission Beach area, including a range of cassowary support programs such as public education to raise the birds’ local profile,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media contact: Harry Landman (Ms Nelson-Carr’s office) or Helen Cook (ARF) 0439 878070