Parks Australia News
Recent releases for Parks australia are listed below - for more news from each area follow the links on the right. For high res images - see our media centre
Jeffrey Lee AM - honoured on Australia Day | 26 January 2012
Jeffrey Lee
Photo | James Hunt
Kakadu traditional owner, Jeffrey Lee, has been honoured in today's Australia Day awards as a Member of the Order of Australia. The prestigious award recognises his services to conservation, and particularly his advocacy to secure the inclusion of his ancestral lands of Koongarra in the Kakadu World Heritage Area.
Koongarra's stunning woodlands and rock art sites lie in the shadow of Nourlangie Rock, one of Kakadu's most popular visitor destinations. It was excluded from Kakadu National Park's original boundaries in 1979 because of its potential uranium resources.
Last year Jeffrey, the senior traditional owner of the Djok clan, flew to Paris to make a personal - and successful plea - to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to declare Koongarra as part of the Kakadu World Heritage Area.
Read more about Koongarra's World Heritage listing
Jeffrey speaking on YouTube | Minister Tony Burke discussing the successful World Heritage listing of Koongarra on YouTube
Nagoya Protocol - a win for environment and business
25 January 2012
Australia has signed the Nagoya Protocol, an international treaty that will establish a legally binding
framework for the use of genetic resources in a rapidly expanding global industry.
Australia's United Nations Ambassador Gary Quinlan signed the protocol in New York on 20 January
2012, on behalf of the Australian Government.
The Director of National Parks Peter Cochrane said the Nagoya Protocol would help ensure that
researchers and companies around the world delivered benefits to Australia from their use of our
genetic resources.
Read the media release | More on the Nagoya Protocol | Photo of the signing
Watch baby red crabs emerging from the ocean
Watch baby red crabs emerging from the ocean
13 January 2012
Despite the recent shipwreck in Flying Fish Cove, hundreds of thousands of tiny baby red crabs have emerged from the ocean to begin their journey back to the forest.
National park ranger Braydon Moloney captured this stunning footage.
More news | Watch the video now
Near miss in Kakadu - be croc-wise this barra run-off
Saltwater croc
12 January 2012
A near-miss incident involving a four metre crocodile on the South Alligator River has prompted Kakadu National Park to remind fishermen to be croc-wise during this barramundi run-off season.
A fisherman went very close to losing his arm when the four metre saltie launched itself out of the water and grabbed a small barramundi off his line. The angler was attempting to pull the fish into the boat without a landing net.
More news | Read the media release to find out more | Download the crocodile factsheet (PDF - 259KB)
Booderee birds - free iPhone app now available on iTunes
12 January 2012
Parks Australia has just released its first iPhone app!
It's a bit of a guide on what birds you can expect to see while at Booderee National Park. It contains images, bird calls and descriptions of what the birds look like, how they nest and breed and also what they eat. You can also find out where you are most likely to see them in the park.
The app contains some other helpful information, such as different walks to take and suggested itineraries for when you visit the park.
There are several podcasts included and information on the Botanic Gardens too.
The best part is it's free!
For all Android users out there - don't despair! An Android version of the app is coming soon.
Learn more about Booderee's birds | More news
The MV Tycoon in Flying Fish Cove | amsa.gov.au
Cleanup following Christmas Island shipwreck
10 January 2012
A cleanup is underway on Christmas Island following a shipwreck yesterday in Flying Fish Cove that resulted in oil and phosphate being split close to shore.
Christmas Island National Park emergency trained staff supported the Royal Australian Army and Australian Federal Police in rescuing the crew of the cargo vessel MV Tycoon.
Na Godjok Nayinggul
10 July 1943 to 3 January 2012
Na Godjok Nayinggul | 10 July 1943 to 3 January 2012
It is with deep sadness that we advise the passing of Na Godjok Nayinggul, senior traditional owner of the Manilakarr clan and former Chair of the Kakadu Board of Management.
Na Godjok passed away at Gunbulunya at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
Read more | Welcome to country
Northern quoll | Bruce Thomson
Kakadu's 'smart' quolls are coming out on top
4 January 2012
Kakadu's northern quolls have been undergoing a training program to learn not to eat cane toads.
The ABC's 7.30 Report has provided an update on how the cute little quolls are going - and it seems they are doing well! Despite still facing other predators such as feral cats, the quolls are overcoming the cane toad obstacle and battling on.
More news | Watch the 7.30 Report | Read more about the program on our blog
