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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-22 Daily Xml
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Answers to Questions

SOUTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT

187 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (24 November 2010).

1. How many destruction permits have been issued over the last five years for culling of South Australia's faunal emblem, the southern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons?

2. How many wombats have been estimated to have been killed by the issue of these permits?

3. Are there geographic areas where these permits are concentrated?

4. (a) What allowable methods can be used under authorised culling permits; and

(b) Do these methods include bulldozing of burrows and decapitation of pouched young?

5. (a) What information does the government have on the extent of unauthorised/illegal culling that is taking place; and

(b) What measures are in place to reduce this?

6. What measures are in place to investigate and prosecute illegal culling of southern hairy-nosed wombats?

7. (a) Is the Minister aware of alternatives to culling, such as the Wombat Mitigation project as developed by the Wombat Awareness Association; and

(b) If so, does the government support non-lethal alternatives such as this project and should they be promoted and supported across all wombat-populated areas in South Australia by Department of Environment and Natural Resources personnel in the first instance?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has advised that:

1. Between 1 January 2006 and 22 December 2010, there were 139 permits issued for destruction of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats in South Australia.

2. As at the 24 December 2010, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources database recorded 887 Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats known to have been destroyed under permit during the five year period. This dataset is incomplete pending returns on current permits and further data input.

3. Geographically, the permits were issued for use on properties in the West Coast and Murraylands regions.

4. (a) Shooting is the only allowable method for legal destruction of adult Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats in South Australia, and must be undertaken in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Wombats by Shooting in South Australia.

(b) In no instance is bulldozing of burrows authorised as a method of destruction of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats. In instances where a very small, hairless young is found in the pouch of a shot female, the Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Wombats by Shooting in South Australia recommends decapitation as the most humane method of achieving a sudden and painless death.

5. (a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has actively investigated past reports of the illegal taking or killing of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats that it has received, and takes all reports seriously.

(b) Department staff work with landholders and the local community on issues associated with Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats and relevant legal requirements. Most recently this included two workshops that were held in the Murraylands attended by approximately 120 people.

6. Reports of non-compliance and legislative breaches are received by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Investigations and Compliance Unit. Reports are graded in terms of reliability and assessed against legislation to confirm that a prima facie offence exists. Any investigation which provides prima facie evidence of an offence against the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 is referred to the Crown Solicitors Office (Environmental Division) for prosecution.

7. (a) Yes, the Minister for Environment and Conservation is aware of the Wombat Awareness Organisation and its efforts regarding wombat conservation. The Minister and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages a 'living with wildlife' approach and the use of non-lethal management strategies to issues involving human-wildlife conflict.

(b) DENR has and will continue to support and promote non-lethal approaches to wildlife management.

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