Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Hamilton Island Resort culls more cockatoos, wallabies and possums

Hamilton Island Resort culls more cockatoos, wallabies and possums
December 20, 2016

More wildlife has been destroyed to protect property and human health at Hamilton Island Resort in Queensland's Whitsundays, despite an angry public backlash.

In September, the ABC revealed hundreds of animals, including 35 cockatoos, a kookaburra and almost 400 wallabies, were killed at the popular tourist destination between November 2014 and May 2016.

New figures show in the past six months another three sulphur-crested cockatoos, 106 agile wallabies and 80 brushtail possums have been culled.

Hamilton Island's social media pages were inundated with angry messages and pleas from people after the mass deaths were revealed.

Management at Hamilton Island said culling was a last resort, but it was legally allowed to control a variety of introduced species, to prevent major environmental damage and soil erosion.

It said the resort had developed other ways to protect guests and property including physical barriers around bins and educating guests not to feed the animals.

Management said the island's environmental officer had to cull three sulphur-crested cockatoos that were diseased, malformed or injured.

The Queensland Department of the Environment allows management to cull an unlimited amount of agile wallabies, 100 sulphur-crested cockatoos, 10 kookaburras and up to 5,000 possums every three years, despite no population data being available.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the figures were alarming, advising that he said he would contact Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles to discuss the issue.

Beatty stated “surely we should be looking at alternatives and not just culling animals because they're considered a nuisance.

"We're hoping they'll at least consider other measures to stop culling in general, let alone the amount that's going on."

In a statement, Minister Miles said he had asked his Department to work closely with the resort operator to ensure humane alternatives are being explored.

Image: Wallaby at Hamilton Island's Plam Bungalows. Courtesy of Trip Advisor.

7th September 2016 - HAMILTON ISLAND WILDLIFE CULL SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FURY 

2nd June 2016 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR CROCODILE MANAGEMENT

2nd May 2016 - NSW GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS SUGGESTS CULLING OF 90% OF SNOWY MOUNTAINS BRUMBIES OVER 20 YEARS

3rd November 2015 - RESEARCH PROJECT FINDS WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS LITTERED WITH RUBBISH

20th August 2014 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTS COMMISSIONER FOR THREATENED SPECIES

 


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Sportybots

We are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…

read more

Fitness / Play / Recreation / Sport / Wellness

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

VITEC

Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business