Tasmania Devils at Healesville Sanctuary

Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is an aggressive non-viral transmissable parasitic cancer that affects Tasmanian Devils. The first "official case" was described in 1996, in Australia. In the subsequent decade the disease ravaged Tasmania's wild devils, with estimates of decline ranging from 20% to as much as a 50% of the devil population, across over 65% of the state. Affected high-density populations suffer up to 100% mortality in 12–18 months. The disease has mainly been concentrated in Tasmania's eastern half. Visible signs of DFTD begin with lesions and lumps around the mouth. These develop into cancerous tumours that may spread from the face to the entire body. The tumours interfere with feeding, and the affected animal may starve to death.

At Healesville Sanctuary they have a successful breeding programme. The main purpose of the program is to establish an insurance population that can be realised if wild Tasmanian Devil become extinct due to the spread of DFTD

The Hump Day Crew chatted to Tammika McIvor about the Tasmanian Devils and the Healesville Breeding Program success. Click here to listen.

For more information on all the happenings at the three Victorian Zoos, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The HDC keep you updated on Copenhagen

Delegates from around the world as well as scientists, NGO representatives and interested spectators have descended upon Copenhagen as the world attempts to plan how to tackle climate change. The Hump Day Crew keep you updated with our weekly interviews.

Click here to listen to David Hood of Greenpeace discuss the conclusions of the Copenhagen summit.

Click here to listen to what's happening in the first few days of the talks with Jonathan Larkin from the WWF.

Click here to listen to Luke Chamberlain discuss the other aspect of the Copenhagen talks getting less media attention then emissions reductions ie. saving world forests.

Click here to listen to Jonathan Larkin discuss the lead up to the Copenhagen talks.

For further information, please visit http://www.wwf.org/, www.greenpeace.org and http://www.wilderness.org.au/

Melbourne Zoo's New Wild Seas Exhibit

On the 9th December Melbourne Zoo will open their new Wild Seas exhibit to the public. The seals and penguins are currently moving in and will be followed at a late time, by pelicans, rays, Port Jackson Sharks and a variety of fish species.

The Hump Day Crew were intrigued to find out about the exhibit.

Click here to listen to the interview with Melbourne Zoo's curator for the exhibit, Jan Steele.

For the latest news from Zoos Victoria, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The Environmental Impact Of The Oil Spill of the WA Coast

Recently the news coverage has looked at the financial and human impact on the oil spill of the coast of WA. How about talking with our Conservation Director, Dr Gilly Llewellyn, Conservation Director of the WWF was one of very few people to personally go out there and see what was going on. The Hump Day Crew chat to her about the issue.

Click here to listen to the interview.

For the latest news from the WWF, please visit http://www.wwf.org.au/

The True Food Guide 2010

Australia currently has limited labelling laws for genetically engineered (GE) foods. That's where the Truefood Guide comes in handy. The Guide rates food brands and products as Green (GE-free) and Red (may contain GE ingredients).

You can browse or search for brands on the right-hand side. The Guide is also available for download or you can order a convenient wallet-sized hard copy. It's simple to use:

Buy Green. Companies and supermarkets listed as green have implemented policies and procedures throughout their supply chain to actively avoid ingredients derived from GE crops.

Avoid Red. The companies and supermarkets listed in the red section of the guide may have products that contain ingredients derived form GE crops.

Click here to listen to Laura Kelly from Greenpeace discuss the excitement of the new release.

You can download the guide from http://www.truefood.org.au/

Also take time to quickly sign the on-line petition at http://www.truefood.org.au/OurRightToKnow/

Stay posted with all Greenpeace initiatives at http://www.greenpeace.org.au/

PETA's Top 5 on Living Cruelty Free

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.

PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

Ashley Fruno of PETA Asia Pacific talks to the Hump Day Crew on five ways to live in a way that is cruelty free to animals. Her top five are:

1. Going vegan.
2. Buying only cruelty free products.
3. Not supporting zoos and other forms of entertainment using animals.
4. Not wearing wool, fur or leather.
5. Adopting an animal from a shelter and spaying or neutering companion animals.

Click here to listen the Ashley Fruno talking with the Hump Day Crew.

For the latest information, please visit http://www.petaasiapacific.com/

Saving Frogs with Michelle Howard - Zoos Victoria

Frogs play a vital roll in any environments ecosystem. They are also extremely vulnerable to environmental change since they require a stable environment in both the water and the land. Zoos Victoria has several initiatives aiming to conserve the welfare of frogs in our state.

At both Werribee and Healesville they are holding frog spotting nights where you have the chance to grab a torch and learn to identify frogs from their calls. You can also do your bit at home by recording any frog sounds you hear and sending them to the zoo. By collecting these recordings, Zoos Victoria can identify exactly which species of frogs are inhabiting where.

Click here to listen to Michelle Howard discuss these campaigns as well as saving the Southern Corroboree Frog (pictured) which is facing extinction as a result of disease caused by infection with a pathogen known as the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus as well as habitat destruction.

Find out more at http://www.zoo.org.au/

350.org prepares for an International Day of Action on 24th Oct, '09

Accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are already above the safe zone at our current 390ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.

There are three numbers you need to really understand global warming, 275, 390, and 350.

For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Parts per million is simply a way of measuring the concentration of different gases, and means the ratio of the number of carbon dioxide molecules per million other molecules in the atmosphere. 275 ppm CO2 is a useful amount—without some CO2 and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in our atmosphere, our planet would be too cold for humans to inhabit.

The 24th October, 2009 has been chosen as an international day of action for Climate Change in which 141 countries will participate in various activities to increase the attention deserved by Climate Change.

Luke Chamberlain, Forests Campaigner for The Wilderness Society speaks about 350.org and gives an update on logging in Victoria's Brown Mountain area. Click here to listen.

For more information, please visit http://www.350.org/ and http://www.wilderness.org.au/

BANNED: Pamela Anderson's New PETA Anti-Fur Advert

Animal Rights Organisation PETA is no stranger to controversial campaigns, but now they've managed to have one their racy videos banned at an entirely new location: airports. PETA's video features Pamela Anderson playing the role of an airport security guard who forces passengers to remove any clothes that aren't animal friendly. According to the New York Post, the video was scheduled to be played in several New York area airports, but after viewing it officials have decided the video is too provocative for children and are refusing to air it.

You be the judge:


For more information on PETA, please visit http://www.peta.org/

If you become a vegetarian you can drive a car

A common reason for individuals to choose vegetarianism is because of the poor standard at which animals are raised for meat. However the environmental impact of eating meat is also something worth considering. Producing just one pound of meat produces the same amount of greenhouse gases as driving a SUV 40 miles.

A 2006 United Nations report summarized the devastation caused by the meat industry by calling it "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." The report recommended that animal agriculture "be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity."

According to Environmental Defense, if every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetarian foods instead, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than a half-million cars off U.S. roads.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

They are a stand out organisation who make their statement by utilising pop culture.

Check out one of their adverts that was banned in the USA:


May celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone, Bryan Adams, Sophie Monk and Sir Paul McCartney have thrown their support behind PETA.

To hear all about it, click here and listen to the interview with one of PETA's Senior Campaigners, Ashley Fruno.

To find out more, please visit http://www.peta.org/ and http://www.goveg.com/

The Mountain Pygmy Possum - only 30 left in the wild

The Mountain Pygmy-possum is the largest of Australia's five species of pygmy-possum, yet it only weighs 45 grams and could easily fit in the palm of your hand. Its mouse-like body is covered in thick greyish fur, it has a long tail, agile front feet designed for gathering food, and strong back feet for gripping. It also has enlarged front teeth for cracking seeds. Unfortunately, there is as little as 30 left in the wild.

Click here to hear what Zoos Victoria is doing to save the Mountain Pygmy-possum from extinction.

For the latest news on Zoos Victoria, please visit http://www.zoo.org.au/

The Wilderness Society Update - Environment East Gippsland sues VicForests for illegal logging

Today, Environment East Gippsland commenced proceedings against VicForests in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

A writ was filed with the court this morning and has just been served on VicForests.

“We ask the Court for a permanent injunction to stop VicForests from logging Brown Mountain” said Jill Redwood, Coordinator of EEG. “We also ask the Court to declare that the logging of Brown Mountain is unlawful”.

Brown Mountain is known habitat for at least five species of wildlife listed as vulnerable or threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

Click here to hear the latest from The Wilderness Society's Amelia Young.

To find out the latest news from The Wilderness Society, please visit http://www.wilderness.org.au/

Watch Out! It's The Snubin Dolphin.

In 2005 a new species of dolphin was found in Australian waters, the Australian snubfin dolphin. The discovery of a new mammal is extremely rare. Until recently the snubfin dolphin was thought to be an Irrawaddy dolphin, which is found in coastal areas and major rivers of south-east Asia, and is in serious decline.

The snubfin dolphin is Australia’s only endemic dolphin, meaning it is unique to northern Australia. Coastal and river dolphins are among the most threatened species of mammal in the world.

Interestingly, the snubfin has a unique way of attacking prey...by spitting water at it.

To find out more click here to listen to the interview with WWF's Lydia Gibson, their Tropical Marine Species Manager.

Please visit https://secure.wwf.org.au/act/donate/snubfin/ to find out how ways to support WWF and the Snubfin dolphin.

Who Gives You Your Wood?

Australians use wood for hundreds of different things. But where does this wood come from? Is your beautiful dining room table the stolen home of an Orang-utan? Is your wood decking responsible for climate change? .

Australia imports products made from timber that is illegally harvested from the Paradise Forests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Solomon Islands. This rampant and unregulated illegal logging is linked to corruption, environmental destruction and loss of livelihood for forest communities.

We now have the ability to make informed decisions when buying wood and knowing where it comes from...in other words, you can choose Good Wood.

Good Wood comes from ethically and ecologically sustainable sources. Buying Good Wood tells companies there is no market for illegal and destructive timber and forces them to act responsibly.

Click here to listen to the interview with Reece Turner - Forests and Whaling Campaigner for Greenpeace Australia.

Take the time to check out the following websites too!

http://www.goodwoodguide.org.au/
AND
http://www.greenpeace.org.au/

The Pygmy Hippo

The pygmy hippopotamus is a mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa. The pygmy hippo is reclusive and noctural. It is one of only two extant species in the Hippopotamidae family, the other being its much larger cousin the common hippopotamus.

Pygmy Hippos are classified as being ‘vulnerable’, which is just one step from an endangered classification. Therefore the birth of Monifa at Toronga Zoo was an exciting event.

Check out Monifa at Toronga taking her first swim.


Nine-month-old Pygmy Hippo ‘Monifa’ has now arrived at Melbourne Zoo, leaving her birthplace at Taronga Zoo.

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner says ‘Monifa’s birth is a significant contribution to the regional breeding program for Pygmy Hippopotamus, a species with as few as 3,000 individuals surviving in the wild.

‘We are especially delighted to welcome Monifa, as she is the first offspring of Timmy, a long-time favourite of our visitors and staff.’

Monifa’s survival was in the balance at first, so keepers had to step in and hand-raise her, which included providing bottles round the clock.

The calf’s very shaky start in life is reflected in her name: Monifa means ‘I am lucky’ in a Nigerian language.

From being a tiny and frail 3.8kg when she was born last October, Monifa is now a healthy 65kg, thanks to such dedicated care

She no longer needs to be bottle-fed, enjoying a variety of solids, such as endive, lettuce, carrot, apple, lucerne hay, and other fruit, vegetables, and grains.

Click here to listen to the interview with Senior Keeper Sheila Roe at Melbourne Zoo.

You can find out about all the latest happenings at Melbourne Zoo at http://www.zoo.org.au/.

All Natural Special - Peter Singer

Peter Singer is an Australian philosopher. He is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and laureate professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE), University of Melbourne.

Specialising in applied ethics, after writing his book “Animal Liberation” he is seen as being one of the movers and shakers of the modern animal liberation movement.

He has written many books including the titles:
• Democracy and Disobedience
• Should The Baby Live?
• How Are We To Live?
• One World, The Ethics of Globalization
And The President of Good and Evil – The Ethics of George W. Bush

Adam says "I personally became aware of Peter Singer’s work when a friend lent me their copy of another of his titles The Ethics of What We Eat. I felt it covered vital topics that are unknown to the majority of people".

Peter Singer took time to discuss his book and other projects.
Click here to listen to the interview.

For more information, please visit www.princeton.edu/~psinger/

I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur - The Most Shocking Video Ever

Everyone knows than fur comes from animals but did you know the animals are still alive as the fur is ripped off their bodies. The following video shows the unacceptable treatment of animals at China Fur Farms.


Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org.
For more information please visit http://www.peta.org/ and http://www.petaasiapacific.com/

Seals are being Clubbed To Death in Namibia

The world's largest and cruelest slaughter of seals is about to commence on 1st July in Namibia. Australian-based fur and skins company, Hatem Yavuz, is directly implicated in this annual brutal slaughter. Hatem Yavuz alone bought all of the dead seal pup skins from last year's cull in order to make fur coats.

This year, the highest quota ever — 91,000 cape fur seals — are set to be killed. Most pups will be so young that they are still being nursed by their mothers. The terrified pups will be rounded up, separated from their mothers and brutally clubbed to death.

The market for Namibian Cape Fur Seal skins has collapsed over recent years due to lack of demand and import bans in the European Union, the United States, Mexico and South Africa because of the cruelty involved in the sealing methods. As of 2008, there was only one company left buying seal skins from Namibia — Hatem Yavuz.

An international campaign to expose and pressure Hatem Yavuz has been started by Seal Alert-South Africa. Please add your voice and express your outrage to Hatem Yavuz for their culpability in animal cruelty, and call on them to commit to never again buying Namibian Cape Fur Seal skins.

Visit http://www.animalsaustralia.org/ and send an email directly to Hatem Yavuz

Click here to listen to the interview with Glenys Oogjes of Animals Australia.

What you Eat could be Killing Orang utans

Palm Oil is found in many food and beauty products. Unfortunately the majority of Palm Oil comes from Indonesia, making it now the leading supplier for a global market that demands more of the tree's versatile oil for cooking, cosmetics, and biofuel. But palm oil's appeal comes with significant costs. Oil palm plantations often replace tropical forests, killing endangered species, uprooting local communities, and contributing to the release of climate-warming gases. Due mostly to oil palm production, Indonesia emits more greenhouse gases than any country besides China and the United States.

In Borneo and Sumatra as logging and palm oil plantations continue to rapidly destroy the habitat of the Orang Utan. The rate of deforestation and habitat loss is so great that some scientists are predicting that the orangutan will be the first Great Ape to become extinct in modern times.

Click here as Rachel Lawry from Zoos Victoria discusses the effect of Palm Oil plantations on the future of Orang Utans.

The below video gives information about the Global Warming effects of Palm Oil production in Indonesia.


Click here to ensure you are buying products that are free of Palm Oil.

Please visit www.zoo.org.au to find out what more you can do.

Good call Obama! The US announces planned emissions reductions for 2020 and 2050

Barack Obama has come out and committed the US to reducing it's emissions by 23% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. This leads a great example to other countries as we head towards the Climate Negotiations happening in Copenhagen.

Click here to listen to Jonathan Larkin from WWF Australia talk about what this means for the USA and other countries around the world.

For more information on the WWF, please visit http://www.wwf.org/.