Environment and the Law – Native Animals
Good morning/Afternoon Miss Morris and students. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the major threats to Australia’s wonderfully diverse native fauna. Key threats include climate change, urban development and habitat lost, however, the 2 that will be discussed is wildlife trade and kangaroo culling. Current legislation will be analysed as well at the action/inaction of the government, followed by case studies to support and concluding with suggestive recommendations.
Australia is one of the most important nations on Earth for biodiversity. In fact, Australia is one of only 17 “megadiverse” nations and is home to more species than any other developed country. The primary factors causing …show more content…
The Federal government found the dam would have significant environmental impacts. It would destroy habitat for endangered species found only in that river and would restrict freshwater inflow to the waters of the world heritage listed Fraser Island. Local Aboriginal people and farmers were opposed to the dam, as it would have flooded their lands. Due to the significant social and environmental impacts, the Federal government refused the project under the national environment law. This is a clear demonstration of how environmental, economic and social interests need to be balanced. A current issue which does not foresee this balance is the mass culling of kangaroos in …show more content…
Those seeking to control kangaroos by killing them as “pests” overlook the diversity of the different kangaroo species and their numerous roles in Australia’s delicate ecosystem. The hunting of wildlife by indigenous people cannot be compared to the industrial – scale slaughter, for a mass market of people and their pets, plus the over expanding export trade. The aboriginal communities are speaking out against the commercial kangaroo industry. Aboriginal peoples have a deep and spiritual connection to all native wildlife, including kangaroos. Although aboriginal people kill and eat kangaroos as part of their traditional diet, there are strict cultural protocols about how these practices are carried out. The current legislation does not effectively balance the need to protect the environment with the economic impact that damage to farms may have with the social/cultural importance for indigenous Australians. The legislation should recognise the beliefs, thoughts and opinions of indigenous Australians when it comes to this decision making as they have had a connection to the land and animals culturally and spiritually for thousands of year before