Latest news with #AlastairDuncan
ABC News
05-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Barn-owl project reducing farmers' reliance on poison to manage rats and mice
With a review into the risks of rodent bait in Australia about to be released, an award-winning initiative is using barn owls as a natural alternative to control rats and mice on farms. Wildlife organisations have called for a ban on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides due to concerns that they kill and harm wildlife that eat baits or poisoned rodents. Studies here and overseas show some rats and mice are developing genetic resistance to poisonous baits, reducing their effectiveness while potentially increasing their use. But a pilot project in the Northern Rivers, New South Wales, is offering farmers hope of significantly reducing rat numbers in macadamia orchards. The Owls Eat Rats initiative has been in the works for a decade, with the pilot project launched at Banyula, a regenerative farm at Clunes, about 30 kilometres from Byron Bay, two years ago. It involved the installation of hunting roosts and barn owl nesting boxes, addressing Australia's wildlife accommodation crisis caused by clearing trees with hollows that take up to 150 years to form. Founder Alastair Duncan said it took time and effort to establish barn owl colonies, but the impact on rodent control had been so promising that three neighbouring farms had signed up. "They [owls] move in, they breed and they hunt and each breeding event takes about 1,000 rats out of the system," Mr Duncan said. "Farmers don't necessarily want to use poison; it's just that they don't have alternatives. "So when they see something that's working, they jump on board pretty quick." At Banyula, 70 nest boxes — including 12 for owls — span across the property, which has 7,500 macadamia trees and 75 hectares of new plantings of koala habitat and rainforest. Success is monitored by tracking nut damage in the orchards using trail cameras, physically inspecting nest boxes, and examining owl pellets — the regurgitated fur, bones, and feathers the birds cannot digest. "We're finding that 90 per cent [of pellets] is rats and the rest is house mice, which are a really significant pest in the agriculture industry," Mr Duncan said. Wildlife Health Australia notes increasing reports of toxicities associated with rodenticide exposure in Australian wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and further work is needed to better understand and manage the risks. Mr Duncan said secondary rodenticides build up in predators' bodies every time they eat a poisoned rodent, affecting their hunting, breeding and survival. As opposed to the days it can take for rodents to bleed to death internally after consuming bait, barn owls are fast and efficient killers. Banyula director Matthew Bleakley said owls had allowed them to reduce rodenticide use, target applications and choose less harmful baits. Late last month, Owls Eat Rats was awarded $50,000 by Taronga Zoo's Hatch accelerator program, which helps ecopreneurs tackle serious environmental and conservation challenges. Mr Duncan said the grant would help fund academic research and further his goal of mainstreaming nature-based pest control. Mr Duncan planned to replicate the project on the Sunshine Coast, where he lives, and was working with the Australian Macadamia Society. "It's a massive boost for us," he said. Wildbnb Wildlife Habitat director David Brook spent a decade perfecting barn owl nesting boxes, prioritising comfort and safety. Each pair of owls needs at least three nesting boxes over a small area to provide variety in their habitat. "We realised that the owls were not only breeding back-to-back — so we had four different clutches of owlets in a 12-month period — but they were bringing in 10 to 15 rats a night to feed the owlets," Mr Brook said. "The next stage of this project is to rigorously investigate the idea. "We're bringing in university and industry partners and looking at just how replicable it is across other landscapes and other industries," Mr Brook said. Mr Brook said wildlife rodenticide poisoning and potentially associated road traffic strikes required more examination. "We're now starting to work with the local wildlife hospitals and with Taronga Zoo and universities to better evaluate the impact of toxic rodenticides on the barn owls," he said. Agricultural chemicals are regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The APVMA is reviewing anticoagulant rodenticides warfarin, coumatetralyl, diphacinone, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, difethialone and flocoumafen, based on public health, worker safety and environmental safety. In a statement, an APVMA spokesperson said it was "preparing the documents for our proposed regulatory decision for the anticoagulant rodenticides review". "We expect to publish this in the near future, which will start a three-month public consultation period," the spokesperson said.
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside ITV Taggart cast's lives now from new careers, health battles and heartbreaking tragedy
The ITV Glasgow based police drama became one of the UK's longest-running television programmes having first aired in 1983 and ended in 2010 after 110 episodes and 27 seasons. Scottish ITV series Taggart was known as one of the UK's longest running shows, airing from 1983 until it was finally axed in 2010. The hit programme, which had a total of 27 seasons, followed a group of detectives as they solved crimes around Glasgow. Taggart tethered on the brink of cancellation in 2009 despite still bringing in a whopping 5.2m viewers. The show aired its last episode after a run of 110 episodes, prompting an announcement on the Taggart website: "This programme is now over." But where are the cast now? Here we take a look back at some of the beloved fan favourites from the Taggart cast which long time viewers are sure to recognise. Here is what they have been up to since the show came to an end from personal tragedies and heartbreak to new day jobs. Mark McManus Mark McManus found fame as the tough DCI Jim Taggart when the series premiered in 1983. McManus, who stumbled upon acting without any grand aspirations, famously acknowledged: "I had no great talent as an actor, but I learned the techniques and applied myself." The actor became known for his famous catchphrase: "There's been a murder". McManus sadly passed away following pneumonia complications in 1994 at the age of 59. Alastair Duncan Alastair Duncan made a splash in 1983 as DS Peter Livingstone, partner to Mark McManus's character on the beloved detective show. However, the Edinburgh-born actor had bigger aspirations and left Taggart behind for a career in Hollywood. His credits include appearances on hit shows like Mad Men and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and he later ventured into voice acting for video games. After divorcing Breaking Bad actress Anna Gunn in 2008, the father of two stepped back from the spotlight, opting to sell luxury properties in Hollywood instead. He previously shared with The Sun: "I sell Hollywood homes." There were even whispers suggesting the actor-turned-businessman now lives among Hollywood elites like Bruno Mars and Charlize Theron. Iain Anders Iain Anders became part of the Taggart ensemble back in 1985, stepping into the shoes of Superintendent Jack McVitie, earning himself the cheeky moniker "The Biscuit" along the way. The actor graced 40 episodes before his untimely passing in 1997 at the age of 64. James MacPherson James Macpherson stepped into the sidekick role as a detective after Alastair Duncan's departure. Following the death of Mark McManus in 1994, James advanced to become DCI Michael Jardine, only to leave in 2002 following health concerns involving a collapsed lung. In the aftermath, James established an acting company with actress Emma Currie and featured in numerous theatre productions. More recently, he notably voiced the biography of Sir Alex Ferguson. Blythe Duff Blythe Duff remained on Taggart for an impressive 31 years, becoming one of its longest-standing cast members shortly after James MacPherson. She brought WPC Jackie Reid to life, holding the role close to her heart, as she expressed to the Scots Magazine: "I liked the character. She was straightforward, unfussy and a big part of my life. I had a good amount of input on set and I guarded the character ferociously." Beyond the screen, Blythe even tied the knot with a police officer and later pursued roles on the West End. Her recent credits include portraying Professor Minerva McGonagall in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'. John Michie John took on the role of DI Robbie Ross in 1998 and stayed with the show until it wrapped up. The actor is perhaps the most recognisable in the soap world, having transitioned from solving murders in Maryhill to walking the cobbles on Coronation Street and navigating hospital wards in Holby City. John experienced a devastating family loss when his 24-year-old daughter Louella passed away at Bestival in Dorset after consuming recreational drugs. Alex Norton Alex is best known for his portrayal of the straight-talking DCI Matt Burke in Taggart from 2002 until the show's end. The actor has had a successful career, featuring in high-profile films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Les Miserables and Braveheart. Alex has also made appearances on BBC's Waterloo Road. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Colin McCredie In 1995, Colin joined the Taggart squad as DC Stuart Fraser, securing his prominent role. He continued with the show until its conclusion in 2010 and has since featured in the soap opera River City. In 2014, Colin also made an appearance on CBeebies in the series Woolly and Tig, acting alongside his young daughter.
