Living Planet. Australia s extinction crisis. Your donation will be used to:

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1 MAGAZINE WINTER 2016 Living Planet EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR WWF SUPPORTERS / ISSUE 34 Australia s extinction crisis Australia has just added 49 more names to the long list of our plants and animals heading for extinction. Woylie Will you help WWF with a bold new plan to save our disappearing animals? You are doing what a lot of people thought was impossible: helping WWF bring tigers back from the brink of extinction, protecting Borneo s orang-utans against huge threats, and increasing the number of China s rare, giant pandas. Your support has given those species a chance. But there are amazing animals dying out in our own back yard. Quokkas, rock-wallabies, northern bettongs and Kimberley bilbies are almost gone. Australia has already lost more mammals than every other country in the world, combined. Without a dramatic increase in conservation work to protect them, we could see the permanent loss of hundreds of unique species in just a few years. Please make an urgent donation to help WWF save at least 21 threatened species by Your donation will be used to: 1 Fund the most effective conservation tools to find them 2 Track threatened species 3 Step-up our work to save them. Turn to page 3 for more information See page 3 for more details. on our 21 by 2021 bold new plan.

2 WWF-AUS / LAURENT DESARNAUD An election on the future of Australia s species Australia is losing its unique native species at a terrifying rate. We ve already lost more mammals than every other country in the world, combined. Now my conservation teams are racing against time to save our quokkas, rock-wallabies and Kimberley bilbies. What s needed is a dramatic increase in conservation efforts - and a real commitment on both sides of politics. That s why WWF has drawn up the bold Save at least 21 species by 2021 plan. It s a long-term blueprint to protect key species from the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, fires and feral predators. In the lead-up to the federal election we are also asking all parties to tell us how they plan to save Australia s threatened species. Before election day, we ll release a scorecard that shows how their policies stack up. Our political leaders have to step up and commit to the reforms needed to save our native animals. We must all throw our support behind Australia s vulnerable animals before they re gone for good. WWF-AUS / SHENAYE HUMMERSTON Cocky trees going gang busters! Remember the 3,000 seedlings that you helped us buy and plant in a critical black cockatoo feeding ground in the hills east of Perth last year? Well, they are going gang busters! There has been about an 85-90% success rate in their survival which is excellent. Here s a photo to show you how well they are growing, despite the long, hot summer we ve just had. Planting trees for cockatoos is one of the ways you help us fight back on behalf of these amazing birds. We couldn t do it without you. Thank you! Quokka search and rescue Summer 2015 in WA saw a devastating bushfire rip through the home of one of the last and most important populations of mainland quokkas. We didn t know how many quokkas - if any at all - had survived. But now, thanks to you, WWF and the Department of Parks and Wildlife are now on the ground and will undertake over 100 surveys in the coming weeks to search for surviving quokkas. We wanted to share with you some of the first results. Take a look at this sensor camera image, taken from one of the survey locations. It shows a surviving quokka taking refuge in a small, unburnt or rather less severely burnt patch. There is a lot more survey work to do. And we ll keep you updated. But for now, we can t thank you enough for helping us mount the search. MARGARET OWEN KARLENE BAIN / WWF-AUS Will you join us on the frontline? Never before has your help been so urgently needed for our on-ground teams to step up their work in the field - to give some of our most threatened Australian species a chance to recover. Help Alexander protect bilbies In the southern Kimberley, WWF s Alexander Watson is working with Indigenous rangers to protect a crucial population of bilbies. Alexander believes this could soon be the last place in Australia we ll find this once-common animal. Help Merril fight for animals in the Southwest In Western Australia, WWF Species Conservation Manager Merril Halley and our partners, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, is trying to slow the frightening decline of quokkas and other important marsupials. Help Jess save northern bettongs In far north Queensland, WWF ecologist Jess Koleck and her partners are racing against time to save what looks like the last population of northern bettongs. Like all of our WWF on-ground teams, Jess, Alexander and Merril work tirelessly to save Australia s beautiful, unique species. But they re crying out for more conservation tools - such as DNA research - that will make their work faster and more effective. That s where you come in. Please help WWF s teams on-the-ground do more, faster. Please donate urgently to help us work to save 21 priority threatened species by Online: wwf.org.au/save21by2021 Alexander and Cornell (Yawuru Country Manager), looking for bilbies using sensor cameras. Merril and her colleague with a little rock-wallaby. WWF-AUS / YAWURU ABORIGINAL CORPORATION WWF-AUS / REBECCA BOYLAND ALLANA BROWN / BUSH HERITAGE / WWF-AUS Dermot O Gorman, CEO, WWF-Australia Mail: GPO Box 528, Sydney NSW 2001 Phone: Jess is delighted to find any evidence of bettong activity. 2 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU 3

3 FEDERAL ELECTION 2016 PUTTING THE ENVIRONMENT FRONT AND CENTRE FEDERAL ELECTION 2016 PUTTING THE ENVIRONMENT FRONT AND CENTRE XL CATLIN SEAVIEW SURVEY DEJAN STOJANOVIC / BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA SHUTTERSTOCK / PLAVEVSKI / WWF Koala Your support has enabled WWF to be at the forefront of shaping government policy on some of the most significant environmental issues of our time. When you as a supporter, and we as an organisation work together to bring issues before governments, they listen. In the lead up to this year s election, we are again asking for your continued support to ensure our political leaders deliver for our environment. We favour no political sides - all political parties should adopt our proposals into their election platforms. WWF is working on a number of priority environmental policy areas in 2016 that we are asking all political leaders to adopt: Protecting our native species Climate change The Great Barrier Reef. You can work with WWF to ensure our next government commits to programs that will boost the likelihood of survival for hundreds of Australia s threatened native species. Let s make this federal election count Carnaby s black cockatoo WWF will be your voice to the political parties on these vital issues. Save Australia s threatened native species Australia is home to one of the most unique collections of biodiversity on Earth. But we also have the worst rate of mammal extinction. Our species are in danger. Stronger laws and support for threatened species recovery are needed if we are to save our iconic wildlife. Your support will help WWF ensure that our next government commits to programs that will boost the likelihood of survival for hundreds of Australia s endangered native animals. Protect the Great Barrier Reef The Reef needs a champion that can defend it from industrialisation, overfishing, farm pollution and the multitude of other threats it faces. A stronger, better-resourced and more independent watchdog can ensure the Reef s interests are We need your help to transition to renewable energy and hold off the worst climate impacts that will threaten our unique wildlife like koalas, wallabies, quokkas and black cockatoos. represented and defended when important decisions are made and developments proposed. Your support will help WWF advocate for a legislated cap on pollution entering Reef waters and a multibillion dollar fund to fast-track agricultural practices that stop farm pollution running off the land into the Reef s waters. Halt dangerous global warming We are now experiencing the hottest summers on record, severe bushfire conditions, a drastically higher likelihood of extreme weather, and climaterelated decline of species critical to the ecosystem. If we are to combat the impacts of global warming, Australia needs a plan to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035 and achieve net-zero carbon pollution before The transition away from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy will create a better and more sustainable future for generations to come. Turning down the heat on the Reef We hoped it wouldn t come to this. But in shocking news, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced the worst mass coral bleaching event in history. With 93% of the Reef affected, this is a national tragedy. But it will be an even greater tragedy if our political leaders don t step up with us to address the survival of the Reef under dangerous climate change. Despite the shocking images we ve seen, there s cause for hope. If the conditions are right including clean water the coral can bounce back from bleaching and their colours can come back. But there needs to be immediate action. WWF, with your help, is campaigning to ensure the next Australian Government will commit to: 1. Turn down the heat and commit now to achieve 100% renewable energy by Give the Reef a fighting chance: support a legal cap on chemical farm pollution that runs into Reef waters. 4 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU 5

4 SOUVIK KUNDU Tigers bound ahead A word from our Forever People Forever People are men and women who have determined that one of their lasting legacies will be to help preserve and sustain an Earth where all life can flourish. By making a donation in their Wills to WWF-Australia, they are speaking up for nature and ensuring its security, now and for generations to come. Here s what they have to say: The many challenges to the environment will not be solved within our lifetimes so we expect WWF to continue the good work for the benefit of our children and grandchildren and countless others. - Bob and Chris E. Forever People Bob and Chris with WWF s CEO Dermot O Gorman. There is nothing more deserving than the protection of all things wild, wherever they may be. Never has the urgency to protect so many species been as great as it is today. - Julie A The number of wild tigers has risen to nearly 3,900 (up from 3,200 in 2010) thanks to enhanced protections and better survey techniques. For the first time after decades of constant decline, tiger numbers are on the rise. This offers us great hope and shows that with your help, WWF can save species and their habitats when governments, local communities and conservationists work together, said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. The trend is going in the right direction - and that s a great place to be. But, despite this great news, tigers remain an endangered species, under constant threat from habitat loss and poachers seeking their body parts for sale on the black market. With your help, WWF will continue its work with tiger range countries to meet their commitments to the 2022 goal of 6,000 wild tigers. WWF and its dedicated staff and supporters plays a major role not only in saving wildlife but also in nurturing the fragile link between humans and their environment and ultimately our destiny. Why wouldn t I invest in that? - Paul D To discuss what your legacy could be please contact Christine Robinson directly on: , free-call or bequest@wwf.org.au WWF-AUS / JULIE CHAISE Your sustainable seafood choice matters Our oceans are in trouble WWF s Living Blue Planet report in 2014 shows a decline of 49% in the size of marine populations between 1970 and 2012 across the world s oceans. Almost two thirds of our fisheries globally are fished at, or close to, their maximum capacity. Sadly, nearly one third of fisheries are over-fished. Luckily there is something we can all do to help. MSC means healthier oceans The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world s most credible sustainability standard for wild caught fish. Carrying the MSC eco-label and ecolabelling program shows that a rigorous process has been passed, involving an independent third party audit against the highest international standard. Fisheries that are certified to the MSC sustainability standard are far healthier for the oceans. The accidental death of other species (like sharks and turtles) is reduced through better fishing practices. Limits are put on the amount of fish that can be harvested, which allow a healthy adult population to build up, among many other safeguards. Sustainable fishing ensures that the livelihoods of the local fishing community, which are dependent on these resources, are supported. Buying MSC certified seafood So if the MSC eco-label is so important, how can you find it when you want to buy sustainably sourced fish? The easy answer is head to your local supermarket, especially if tuna is your preferred snack. In February, John West Australia announced the culmination of four years partnership with WWF to source over 100 million cans of skipjack tuna per year, fully MSC certified sustainable and carrying the MSC eco-label. This is a huge landmark because John West Australia accounts for 43% of canned tuna in Australia. WWF believes this will help make MSC certified sustainable seafood the norm rather than the exception in our supermarkets across Australia. But it s not just tuna. You can look out for the MSC eco-label on cans, fresh fish, frozen and packaged fillets, even in restaurants. Many local communities like the Solomon Islands, depend upon a healthy ocean for their livelihood. How you can help Tell your favourite seafood supplier that you want to buy MSC certified sustainable fish. Choose the brands that are carrying the MSC eco-label - it s your way of letting them know that sustainable seafood matters. ANDREW J. SMITH / WWF-AUS PAUL HILTON / IPNLF / WWF-AUS 6 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU 7

5 CRAIG PENTLAND WWF-AUS / KAREN KALPAGE Rock stars airlifted to new home By Merril Halley, WWF Species Conservation Manager, WA Exciting news! Thanks to your generosity, the first 23 black-flanked rock-wallabies have been translocated by plane from WA s Wheatbelt to Kalbarri National Park, north of Perth. This is part of a critical conservation program to form new rock-wallaby colonies in other parts of Western Australia to ensure their survival as a species. Why Kalbarri? The spectacular gorges of the Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia s mid-west were once a haven for black-flanked rockwallabies. However, for decades we have seen the animals savaged by foxes and feral cats. Then wild goats came and drove them from the caves, their only refuge from predators. The goats reduced the wallabies habitat to dust and weeds. However, following a relentless program by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to control foxes, feral cats and goats, Kalbarri is once again in spectacular condition. This makes it one of the best possible places - right now - to move and re-establish a colony of black-flanked rock-wallabies. A new beginning The translocation program was undertaken by the WA Department of Parks and Wildlife in partnership with WWF. For the translocation the animals were captured and carefully placed in soft, dark bags, which were secured in pet packs in the aircraft, before being flown to Kalbarri National Park. Next steps Wallabies ready to make their flight to a new home. To make sure our wallabies survive and thrive, over the next few months we will closely monitor the wallabies location, health and well-being in their new home. Thank you! It is your support that helped fly the first 23 wallabies to a new home - and safety - in Kalbarri National Park. Thank you so much for everything you are helping us to do for these most iconic and internationally loved little Australians. Cover photos: Martin Harvey / WWF, Sabrina Trocini / WWF-Aus, Hayden Cannon / DPaW / WWF-Aus. All photos from the WWF photographic library have been kindly donated by photographers for WWF use, and cannot be reproduced or provided to external parties panda symbol and WWF is a Registered Trademark. Cert XXX-XXX-XXXX Forest Stewardship Council Cert o. nxxx-xxx-xxxx WWF-Australia, GPO Box 528, Sydney, NSW 2001 Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter. LIVING PLANET - WINTER WWF.ORG.AU