Latest news with #MatthewSwinbourn
The Age
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Fears for ‘shadow species slipping into the dark' as cockatoo conservation bid rejected
The West Australian government has rejected a nomination to upgrade the conservation status of the Baudin's black cockatoo from 'endangered' to 'critically endangered', in what advocates have called a death knell for the species. BirdLife WA claims the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee's decision, which took 18 months, represents science being sidelined and systemic failure, and accused the committee of being under pressure from the mining industry. The organisation formally nominated the species for up-listing in 2023, a bid it says was backed by research showing a 90 per cent population decline over three generations, or about 40 years, with as few as 2500 to 4000 breeding individuals remaining. The IUCN, Action Plan for Australian Birds, and BirdLife International have all listed Baudin's cas critically endangered, but BirdLife WA says the WA committee cited insufficient data. 'The birds will vanish while the government argues over data,' said BirdLife WA spokesperson Dr Mark Henryon. 'If the system won't act now, what's it waiting for – zero birds left?' Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said he understood the depth of public concern, and relied on independent scientific advice for such decisions. 'I give careful, ongoing consideration to these matters, and I'm acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with decisions affecting species at risk,' he said. Swinbourn said the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee comprised leading scientists with relevant expertise and operated independently, using internationally recognised criteria, including those of the IUCN, to assess the evidence.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fears for ‘shadow species slipping into the dark' as cockatoo conservation bid rejected
The West Australian government has rejected a nomination to upgrade the conservation status of the Baudin's black cockatoo from 'endangered' to 'critically endangered', in what advocates have called a death knell for the species. BirdLife WA claims the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee's decision, which took 18 months, represents science being sidelined and systemic failure, and accused the committee of being under pressure from the mining industry. The organisation formally nominated the species for up-listing in 2023, a bid it says was backed by research showing a 90 per cent population decline over three generations, or about 40 years, with as few as 2500 to 4000 breeding individuals remaining. The IUCN, Action Plan for Australian Birds, and BirdLife International have all listed Baudin's cas critically endangered, but BirdLife WA says the WA committee cited insufficient data. 'The birds will vanish while the government argues over data,' said BirdLife WA spokesperson Dr Mark Henryon. 'If the system won't act now, what's it waiting for – zero birds left?' Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said he understood the depth of public concern, and relied on independent scientific advice for such decisions. 'I give careful, ongoing consideration to these matters, and I'm acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with decisions affecting species at risk,' he said. Swinbourn said the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee comprised leading scientists with relevant expertise and operated independently, using internationally recognised criteria, including those of the IUCN, to assess the evidence.
West Australian
01-07-2025
- General
- West Australian
Perth Zoo's 11.7m new white-cheeked gibbon enclosure open to public days after tragic death of newborn
One foot carefully after another, a cheeky gibbon parades across a tightrope as he checks out his new home below. Perth Zoo's $11.7 million state-of-the-art gibbon enclosure opened on Tuesday, which takes the space into the air and tripling the space for the critically endangered apes. It means visitors can observe the acrobatics of the animals as they traverse rope pathways connected to a 14m tower overhead. Situated near Perth Zoo's entrance, the apes can now travel larger distances as the public watches from the ground below. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the expanded primate enclosure would be a drawcard for families. 'Record numbers of visitors are already enjoying the new café precinct and family facilities, and now, the primate crossing adds a world-class experience,' he said. 'Watching the gibbons swing through the skies is truly remarkable to see and it's these magic moments that form core memories and help inspire the next generation into conservationists.' Perth Zoo recorded more than 900,000 visitors in the last financial year, with upgrades, funded by the State Government, also completed to improve seating, barbeque and event facilities at the zoo. The unveiling of the exhibit comes after the zoo's gibbon population was hit by tragedy over the weekend. Keepers said the Zoo's white-cheeked gibbon Jermei went into labour over the weekend, but that the baby did not survive. Gynaecological experts who normally help with human pregnancies performed a caesarean to give the baby the very best chance at surviving. Perth's Gibbon population are part of a global breeding program to help boost numbers, with the apes one of the rarest in the world and native to south east Asia.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
New Perth Zoo gibbon enclosure opens days after tragic death
One foot carefully after another, a cheeky gibbon parades across a tightrope as he checks out his new home below. Perth Zoo's $11.7 million state-of-the-art gibbon enclosure opened on Tuesday, which takes the space into the air and tripling the space for the critically endangered apes. It means visitors can observe the acrobatics of the animals as they traverse rope pathways connected to a 14m tower overhead. Situated near Perth Zoo's entrance, the apes can now travel larger distances as the public watches from the ground below. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the expanded primate enclosure would be a drawcard for families. The enclosure is situated near Perth Zoo's entrance. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'Record numbers of visitors are already enjoying the new café precinct and family facilities, and now, the primate crossing adds a world-class experience,' he said. 'Watching the gibbons swing through the skies is truly remarkable to see and it's these magic moments that form core memories and help inspire the next generation into conservationists.' Perth Zoo recorded more than 900,000 visitors in the last financial year, with upgrades, funded by the State Government, also completed to improve seating, barbeque and event facilities at the zoo. Perth Zoo's $11.7 million state-of-the-art gibbon enclosure opened on Tuesday. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The unveiling of the exhibit comes after the zoo's gibbon population was hit by tragedy over the weekend. Keepers said the Zoo's white-cheeked gibbon Jermei went into labour over the weekend, but that the baby did not survive. Gynaecological experts who normally help with human pregnancies performed a caesarean to give the baby the very best chance at surviving. Perth's Gibbon population are part of a global breeding program to help boost numbers, with the apes one of the rarest in the world and native to south east Asia.
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
State Government bid to bring accommodation to Kings Park falls short with community left divided
A bold push to allow tourist accommodation in Kings Park has seemingly fizzled out after last year's tiny cabin trial, with neither the Tourism Minister or Environment Minister keen to talk about a future for overnight stays. The company that brought in the three tiny cabins last June around drawcard event Lightscape has also confirmed it won't be returning when the lights and sound spectacle returns next week. 'We really appreciated the opportunity to trial the concept at Kings Park and while the response was positive overall, we've decided to focus on our regional expansion for now,' a Heyscape spokesperson confirmed to PerthNow. WA's new Tourism Minister Reece Whitby, who was environment minister when the accommodation trial was supported, referred questions about the prospect of future accommodation for Kings Park to new Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn. Mr Swinbourn did not answer any of PerthNow's questions this week and a written response — attributed to a State Government spokesperson — was non-committal. 'The Heyscape overnight stay experience provided a novel, world-class experience in an extraordinary location,' the statement read. 'Any future proposals will be informed by the Heyscape review, which provides valuable insights into key considerations for accommodation experiences.' Last year's State Government-backed trial allowed the three cabins to be set up in the park for the three-week duration of Lightscape, providing a rare overnight accommodation experience for some of the event's 180,000 visitors. At the time, Premier Roger Cook called it a 'start of a new era for Kings Park' as the State Government explored new opportunities for hospitality and accommodation within the park. 'Kings Park is one of WA's best attractions and my government wants to bring Kings Park to life,' he said. 'That means more for visitors to do as they experience one of the world's biggest and best inner-city park.' But the accommodation audition drew a mixed response, with plenty taking issue with the $495 per night price tag for being too steep. Community group Friends of Kings Park also slammed the trial because of the potential to 'ruin' the A-class reserve.
