Message from the Acting Chief Conservation Regulator
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Welcome to the June edition of Conservation Matters for 2024.
As the winter chill takes hold and many Victorians slow down and tend towards hibernation, the Conservation Regulator’s work ramps up and we focus our efforts on forest and wildlife protection, specifically firewood theft, illegal vehicle use, and the migrating whales making a splash along our coast.
In addition to our enforcement role, we are passionate about educating the public on the rules, why they exist, and helping them understand how their actions can make a big difference in protecting the environment.
In this edition, we look at our winter regulatory priorities, highlight the value of public assistance in solving cases of wildlife crime through a state-wide campaign, promote a new program helping protect native fauna and flora, and provide an update on how we’re engaging with pet owners.
Remember, you can also get more frequent updates from us between Conservation Matters editions by following the Conservation Regulator on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
I hope you enjoy this edition!
Andrew Collins
Acting Chief Conservation Regulator
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Wildlife investigations and community assistance
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We work with Crime Stoppers to raise awareness of the nature and seriousness of native wildlife crime.
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As Victoria’s lead agency for investigating and prosecuting native wildlife crime, the Conservation Regulator encounters some horrific incidents of animal cruelty. Many of the cases our officers look into can’t be solved without the important assistance we get from the community, as highlighted in a recent educational campaign and some significant court results.
Over the last month, we partnered once again with Crime Stoppers Victoria for our ‘Wildlife Crime: It’s Your Call’ campaign. The campaign emphasises the value of public information in solving wildlife crimes by thanking those Victorians who are already sharing what they know and encouraging more people to look out for and report anything illegal or suspicious, including acts of cruelty, disturbance, illegal hunting or the unlawful keeping or trading of native animals.
We know Victorians care about protecting native wildlife, but many might not be sure who to call or what to report, which could significantly delay and/or limit our investigations. We want all Victorians to feel empowered in recognising, recording, and reporting wildlife offences and to understand that by sharing their information with Crime Stoppers, it will go to the right people to investigate, and they could make the difference in solving a wildlife crime.
The Conservation Regulator has been able to close several wildlife crime cases thanks to community information, including separate matters that resolved in court last month involving two men who were investigated and prosecuted following reports from members of the public alleging acts of cruelty and illegal possession.
One of the men, aged 38, was convicted, sentenced to an 18-month Community Correction Order, and banned from keeping animals for 10 years for offences related to confining wildlife in poor enclosures with no food or water, which caused the death of five animals, and keeping protected animals without permission.
The other man, in his 40s, was sentenced to a 12-month Community Correction Order and ordered to complete 160 hours of community work for allowing and encouraging his four pet dogs to fatally maul protected wildlife and cats.
Protecting native wildlife is everyone’s responsibility, and the more Victorians who come forward and share what they know, the better our investigations, and the stronger the message that wildlife crime is completely unacceptable.
If you witness or suspect any wildlife crime, you can tell Crime Stoppers what you know, anonymously, on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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Growing our new threatened species detection program
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We’re committed to detecting and protecting Victoria’s native species
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The Conservation Regulator’s work in native fauna and flora protection is continuing with the creation of a new program dedicated to detecting threatened species and other biodiversity values in our state forests.
The Biodiversity and Threatened Species Survey (BaTSS) program has been established to conduct biodiversity surveys to detect and monitor the occurrence of important native plants and animals as part of ongoing land management activities.
The BaTSS program has replaced and been built on the model and success of the Forest Protection Survey Program (FPSP) and will provide continuity to biodiversity data previously collected through the FPSP.
From 2019 to 2024, the FPSP delivered pre-harvest surveys in timber harvesting coupes and made more than 100,000 new observations of native plant and animal species and other environmental values. More than 16,000 of these observations resulted in some level of formal protection, including 763 new observations of the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum.
The BaTSS program will continue to focus detection efforts based on the greatest environmental risks and all survey data will be publicly available through the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, the largest single dataset on threatened species in the State.
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How fair is your firewood?
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Community urged to be wary of supporting firewood thieves this winter
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The cold weather is upon us and as many Victorians prepare to warm up by their fireplace, we’re encouraging them to source firewood responsibly and be on the lookout for dodgy dealers selling stolen wood.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant and widespread increase in firewood theft and habitat destruction on public land, with much of the wood sold to the community by illegal firewood operators.
More than 700,000 Victorian households rely on wood for heating or cooking, and by using reputable firewood suppliers, they can heat their homes and help protect wildlife habitat and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Recognising good wood can be tricky, so the public should ask the seller:
- Where is the wood from? Asking for the origin helps verify if the wood is from a legal and sustainable source.
- Can I get a receipt? Tax receipts help prove a transaction and promote transparency and accountability. Legitimate sellers should readily provide receipts for their products.
- Why is it cheaper than expected? Be wary of unusually low prices as this might indicate illegal or unsustainable practices.
Firewood thieves are damaging our forests and risking the survival of endangered animals, such as the red-tailed black cockatoo, who rely on native trees for shelter and nesting.
The Conservation Regulator is targeting the illegal take of firewood through Taskforce Ironbark, a joint state-wide operation with Parks Victoria, utilising regular patrols across public land, and intelligence-gathering methods such as concealed cameras and community reports to prevent and reduce environmental harm caused by firewood theft.
The community can help protect our forests by reporting information about firewood theft or suspicious sellers to 136 186.
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Victora whale-comes back some coastal visitors
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Commit to whale-watching safely this winter
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Victorian waters are bustling again as endangered southern right whales make their annual visit to our coast and while whale-watching can be exciting, it’s important for everyone to look out for them and keep their distance to make sure their stay is a safe one.
Southern right whales spend time between May to October in our warmer waters to rest, give birth, and raise their young. These mammals are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance and vessel strikes, and with only around 300 adults left in the south-east, it’s crucial that boaters and other ocean users know they’re visiting and how to protect them.
Remember to:
- Stay alert: With no dorsal fin, they are hard to spot and can look like floating logs when resting near the surface.
- Slow down: Within 300m of whales, boats must slow to five knots, and within one kilometre of whales, boats should stay under 10 knots.
- Give them space: Minimum approach distances apply right along the Victorian coast. Swimmers and surfers must keep at least 50 metres, boats 200 metres, jet skis 300 metres, and aircraft, including drones and helicopters, 500 metres, between them and whales. Avoid boxing whales in against the shore and if you find yourself too close, put the engine in neutral and let them pass.
The Logans Beach exclusion zone near Warrnambool is in force until 31 October to protect these whales from powered watercraft and drones in the only established nursery in south-east Australia.
Southern right whales are one of our most interesting species, from the way they whisper to each other to their unique white callosities, and it takes a huge amount of energy for mum to protect and raise her calf, so please admire from afar to help protect these gentle giants.
There are penalties for disturbing or harming whales. The public can report people getting too close to whales to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Brake time! Keep off closed roads this wet season
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Seasonal road closures are in place to protect the environment
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We know the colder months are when drivers and riders love to head out for an adventure, but it’s also the same time of year when Victorian parks and forests are most vulnerable to damage.
To help protect sensitive environments and emergency access tracks, public land managers have closed vehicle access to certain areas from now until November, because even our roads need a holiday!
It’s illegal in Victoria to drive off-road or go around a locked gate because it could destroy important native plants, damage wildlife habitat, or put the public and emergency responders at risk of an accident.
Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria Authorised Officers are targeting illegal vehicle use and gate breaches with increased patrols and surveillance over the 2024 closure period, after both agencies identified more than 380 breaches of closed gates and roads last year and issued 181 fines for vehicle offences.
It’s important to know where seasonal road closures are in place before taking the 4WD or trail bike out for a spin, because local conditions and weather can impact and force some roads to close at short notice. Check for updates on state and national parks and state forests before heading out.
You can also help protect sensitive environments by reporting any illegal vehicle use on public land to 136 186.
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Let’s talk licencing and leashes: engaging with pet owners
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Victorians all play a part in keeping native wildlife safe, whether they live in the wild or are kept as pets, and recently, the Conservation Regulator has taken up opportunities to chat about responsible pet ownership with the community.
In April, we sent some of our Forest and Wildlife Officers and other wildlife experts along to the Melbourne Pet Show to engage with reptile, amphibian, and bird lovers and share information on keeping native pets safely and legally.
We spoke with hundreds of people over the two days about licencing requirements for keeping wildlife as pets, as well as other ways they can protect wildlife in forests, on beaches, and in their backyards. The Pet Show was a great chance to engage with existing or soon-to-be wildlife licence holders. Thank you to all who stopped by our stall and had a chat with our team.
Last month, we were also invited back to present at BirdLife Australia’s 9th National Beach-nesting Birds Conference in Anglesea on our Operation Save our Hoodies (SoHo) following its third year in action.
Forest and Wildlife Officer, Han Auld, spoke about the development and maturation of Operation SoHo, including some of the challenges our coastal teams face, and discussed the goals for the 2024-25 season, particularly around improving nest protection and engaging with dog owners in specific areas.
The Conference is about sharing research, knowledge, and experiences on beach-nesting bird species and their conservation, and brings together people from around Australia, including local and state governments, coastal committees of management, volunteers, community groups, researchers, and students.
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We love the opportunity to engage and share our wildlife knowledge with the public
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Wildlife offences
- A Violet Town woman will face judgement over 47 wildlife and cruelty charges related to the alleged poisoning of wedge-tailed eagles and illegal possession of protected animal remains on 24 July 2024 at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
- A 38-year-old Melbourne man was convicted, sentenced to an 18-month Community Correction Order and 10-year ban on keeping animals after he pleaded guilty to 16 animal cruelty offences for failing to provide food, water, and/or shelter to 28 wildlife in his care and causing the death of five animals. He also pleaded guilty to two illegal possession charges.
- A 40-year-old man was sentenced to a 12-month Community Correction Order and ordered to complete 160 hours of community work after he pleaded guilty to six animal cruelty charges, including three of aggravated cruelty for deliberately allowing and encouraging his four pet dogs to fight with or fatally attack protected wildlife and cats at his property near Myrtleford in 2020-23. He also pleaded guilty to one count of illegally possessing eastern grey kangaroo remains.
Land clearing offences
- A 51-year-old man was charged with 113 offences related to alleged illegal native vegetation clearing in the Cherrypool State Forest in February 2023, including illegally cutting and removing trees, rubbish dumping, illegal vehicle use, and disturbing two native plants protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
To learn more about these cases and other Conservation Regulator news, visit our Latest News page.
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Thank you for reading this edition of Conservation Matters. We hope you found it interesting and relevant. The next newsletter will come your way in three months’ time.
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