European bison return to the United Kingdom
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scotland's papers: Police 'ring of steel' for Trump and Osbourne tributes
More from Scotland's papers The Herald The Scotsman Daily Record The Scottish Sun Daily Mail Scottish Daily Express The Times The Telegraph The National The Courier The P&J Glasgow Times Edinburgh News
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Discovery in remote bushland prompts renewed calls to combat Aussie crisis
For millions of years, Australia evolved in near-isolation, its unique ecosystems untouched by the threats posed by introduced species from overseas. But, when Europeans arrived, that all changed. Now, we have one of the worst track records in the world when it comes to invasive pests, with everything from cane toads, foxes, feral pigs and deer running amok across unimaginably large parts of the country. While some species generate a lot of attention, others often escape the spotlight. That's mainly been the case for feral donkeys in Australia, despite there being between two to five million living in the country, according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Feral donkeys were originally introduced in the 19th century for transport and work in remote areas, particularly in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but after becoming redundant with mechanisation, many were released or escaped and have since established large populations. This month, a herd was spotted in Victoria, much farther south than their usual range. Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University, Euan Ritchie, said that while in this case, it's more likely the group escaped from a nearby property rather than an "expansion into the area from feral populations". But, he warned it's "concerning" whenever invasive animals are detected in regions where they don't already occur. In an interview with Yahoo, he said it's especially alarming "when it happens in conservation areas such as national parks". "Such incidents need to be acted on swiftly to ensure populations don't become established and to minimise any environmental harm," Ritchie warned. What damage do feral donkeys do to Australia's environment? Ritchie explained that feral donkeys can cause a range of issues, some potentially devastating to already fragile ecosystems. He said their impact includes overgrazing, which reduces plant cover and diversity while promoting the spread of woody, unpalatable species; the dispersal of weeds via their fur and droppings; soil compaction and erosion; the risk of transmitting parasites and diseases to other animals; and competition with native wildlife — such as kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies — for food and access to waterholes. As a result of more open vegetation, it can make it easier for feral cats and foxes to hunt native wildlife, Ritchie added. "Further, Australia has over 1000 species of threatened plants, and grazing by introduced and feral herbivores, including donkeys, increases their risk of extinction," he said. To make matters worse, feral donkeys are "generalist and very hardy herbivores" and have the potential to invade most terrestrial ecosystems in the country. "Given that Australia's ecosystems are already under severe pressure from a range of threats, we must do all we can to prevent any further new and compounding impacts, such as those posed by the spread and increased abundance of feral donkeys." How can the public fight back? Across the vast areas where feral donkeys are found, the most effective control methods include aerial and ground shooting, exclusion fencing, and — where terrain allows — localised trapping and mustering. Another technique involves using "Judas donkeys" — sterilised donkeys fitted with tracking devices that are released to join wild herds, making it easier for authorities to locate and cull the rest of the group. But, because they occur over "very large areas of arid and northern Australia, much of which is in very remote and rugged" country, this is difficult, with little to no road access to some regions. "They also occur in very large numbers in some areas, meaning control efforts need to be substantial and sustained in order to meaningfully reduce their numbers and impacts," Ritchie said. He said this highlights the essential need for early intervention when it comes to invasive species. "It's far cheaper and easier to control a population of invasive animals before they become established, abundant, and widespread. Donkeys are no different in this respect. Intervening early also minimises any potential harm to the environment and agriculture," Ritchie said. In recent decades, it's estimated that in excess of $80 million has been spent on donkey eradication efforts, with over 500,000 killed in the Kimberley Region of WA alone since the 1970s. "All invasive species can potentially have significant impacts on Australia's wildlife and ecosystems, and they can compound other threats," Ritchie added. 🎣 Plea after fisherman fined $2000 for 'doing the wrong thing' 🏡 Worrying find in suburban town highlights growing problem 🌳 Aussies urged to know telltale sign as pest threatens every state In some areas, ecosystems might be affected by multiple invasive, large herbivores and omnivores, meaning the total grazing pressure on vegetation is unsustainable and can lead to biodiversity decline and extinction. "In northern Australia, for example, some areas have feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral water buffalo and feral pigs, all in the same area. In arid Australia, feral camels, feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral goats and introduced European rabbits may all co-occur," Ritchie said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Dancing queen' wants donations for 100th birthday
For her 100th birthday, a woman in south-east London wants donations to a hospice instead of gifts - and plans to dance to ABBA at her birthday party. Gwynneth Pedler, from Dulwich said she "set a target of getting to a hundred" and has learned a routine for her chosen song, Dancing Queen. In the run up to her special day, she has received physiotherapy at St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham and credits them with getting back the use of her left leg after an accident. Born on 23 July 1925, Ms Pedler, a former head teacher of three schools and an air mechanic in the WRNS, once "accidentally" invited a whole class of students in Poland to come and stay with her in England. She also admits to being "a rather unruly child" as an evacuee during World War Two. Oldest person in the UK: How has life changed? The times and life of the world's oldest man When the physiotherapists asked if she had a goal, she told them she wanted to do a routine to ABBA's Dancing Queen at her birthday party, attended by more than 100 people, to celebrate her centenary. She said, "I thought it was ambitious but they said no - it wasn't." So they have choreographed steps and wiggles with sweeping arm movements, which has also helped build strength and balance. She said: "They do such wonderful work - not only with physiotherapy and art therapy - but all the other things that they do, in all sorts of other areas. The drivers are so calm, so helpful - it's a really lovely atmosphere." As a child, she was evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII, where she recalls a very long walk to school, something she wasn't keen on. "So we didn't go! We went out to where the farmer was thrashing the corn and he let us have a stick - to hit the rats as they ran out," she chuckles. It was her time in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) that taught her discipline, she says. And there followed a career in education - one of the things she attributes to having had such a long life. "Keep yourself surrounded by people younger than you and get to know them and socialise with them - because you'll then learn how to be young," she advises. 'I'll get you to England' After her retirement, Ms Pedler taught English in Poland - and once inadvertently invited her students to stay with her in England. All 27 of them. "One of them said, 'We've never been to England'. And I said, 'Oh, don't worry, I'll get you to England'," she recalls. They took that literally and went home to tell their mothers. Word got to the head and rather than cause disappointment, Ms Pedler made it happen. "I hadn't got room for them - my bungalow was big but it certainly wouldn't fit 27 students. So I borrowed tents from the Scouts, tables to put food on and raised some money." With an infectious can-do attitude, she talked her neighbours into bringing dinners for the children - for the next fortnight. "Everybody helped out, all sorts of people. I was just the figurehead really," she says modestly. Several of her Polish students went on to become teachers themselves and some are coming to her birthday party. Raising money and awareness for St Christopher's Hospice, is the latest mission in this determined woman's remarkable life. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Related internet links St Christopher's Hospice
