SOUTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT

196 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (6 April 2011) (First Session). Can the Minister for Environment and Conservation advise—

1. (a) How many reports of illegal killings of southern hairy-nosed wombats Lasiorhinus latifrons have been received by the Department; and

(b) How many investigations have been undertaken by the Department?

2. (a) What were the outcomes in terms of numbers of prosecutions, successful or otherwise; and

(b) What were the penalties issued?

3. Is there any intention to review the code of practice for humane destruction of pouched young ('Joeys') orphaned after their mothers have been shot to remove the prescription for decapitation as the only allowable method of destruction, as requested by animal welfare organisations like the Wombat Awareness organisation (WAO)?

4. What plans or strategies are in place to increase/promote the assistance given to landholders in improving their non-lethal management strategies involving human-wombat interaction?

5. Did all applicants for destruction permits receive visits from Department staff and, if not, what proportion of applicants applying for permits was visited?

6. Were any applications for destruction permits not granted?

7. Are any alternatives offered to landholders seeking destruction permits before, during, or after field visits?

8. Have destruction permits been authorised to allow culling of entire colonies on individual properties?

9. Have permits been issued for the destruction of wombats not in or near plough lines or fence lines?

10. Have any destruction permits been issued to hobby farmers who do not rely on livestock for income?

11. Is the Minister's Department aware of any evidence regarding the effectiveness of culling as a method of reducing wombat numbers in the long term?

12. Is there a likelihood of local population extinctions from illegal culling or as a result of diseases such as Sarcoptic Mange which lead to approximately 80 per cent reductions reported during the 2004-05 season?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. (a) Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2011, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) central database shows nine case reports specifically relating to alleged illegal killing of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats. These case reports may include multiple separate reports to the Department regarding related complaints or incidents.

(b) In the same period, eight reports of alleged illegal killing of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats were investigated. One report is currently under investigation. In cases where evidence warranted field investigation, DENR staff, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) officers and National Parks wardens conducted on site assessments.

2. (a) Between January 2000 and December 2011, no investigation reached prosecution. Allegations of offences were unable to be substantiated due to insufficient information, evidence being based on old or third party information, or there being no evidence at all.

(b) As there were no prosecutions there were no penalties issued.

3. The 'Code of Practice for the humane destruction of wombats by shooting in South Australia' was approved by the Wildlife Ethics Committee in 2007 and was based on national best practice regarding the most humane available methods at the time. A review of this Code of Practice is currently underway.

4. The Government promotes a 'living with wildlife' philosophy for all native species; this approach:

promotes positive attitudes toward wildlife;

encourages people to understand the importance of wildlife conservation;

considers the welfare of all wildlife; and

promotes humane and non-lethal methods as the way to manage problems with wildlife.

Officers from DENR regularly provide advice to landholders regarding non lethal management strategies for issues involving conflict with Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats. For example, in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin region all destruction permit applicants are sent the 'Living with Wombats' fact sheet, which includes detailed information about alternative non-lethal methods of wombat management.

Community workshops were held in October 2010 in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin region to discuss issues and opinions of landholders regarding Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats, and to further inform and engage landholders in non-lethal management strategies.

In May and June 2011, additional regional workshops were held on Eyre Peninsula, West Coast, and Yorke Peninsula. These workshops were funded by DENR and run by Conservation Ark.

5. No, not all applicants for destruction permits received visits by staff from DENR. The proportion of applicants applying for permits that were visited is not known. When a permit application is received from a new applicant, a telephone call to the applicant is a prerequisite. After the initial telephone call, the issuing officer and the District Ranger make a decision about whether or not a site visit is required. If the application is from a landowner who has previously lodged an application, it is likely the permit would be processed without a site visit.

6. DENR keeps records on destruction permits issued (i.e. number of permits issued and the species the permits were issued for). Data on destruction permit applications that have been refused is not collected.

7. Alternatives, such as those listed on the DENR website and in the 'Living with Wombats' fact sheet (available on the SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board website) are provided to landholders. This information is explained to landholders prior to, and/or during field visits, and is available to landholders at any time.

8. Destruction permits are not granted on the basis of culling entire colonies on specific or individual properties.

9. Yes, where necessary to mitigate damage caused by Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats where non-lethal measures have not been successful; for example permits have been issued where damage to buildings and infrastructure has occurred.

10. DENR has no record of any destruction permit for Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats having been specifically issued to hobby farmers who do not rely on livestock for income.

11. Destruction permits are not issued for the purpose of 'reducing wombat numbers in the long term'.

12. It is difficult to speculate on any likelihood of local population extinction due to alleged illegal culling of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats due to limited valid evidence being available.