Koalas

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Strange animals really. The name comes from an aboriginal language and means "doesn't drink" because for the most part these animals get all the moisture they need from the leaves they eat. They actually do drink water, but not as often as you might expect. They're highly specialised feeders and can only eat the leaves of a few specific species of gum trees. These leaves aren't very rich in nutrients so Koalas aren't the most energetic of creatures and spend the majority of their lives just eating and sleeping.

People that live in Sydney keep getting told that Koalas are an endangered species, and they even have a couple of charities raising money to "save the Koala". It's all a pack of lies. Yes Koalas are dying out in and around Sydney, but only around Sydney. In the rest of the country they keep outbreeding what their habitats can support and we have to regularly cull their numbers to keep their populations healthy. Sydney could do a great deal to help their Koala populations by shutting down coal mines instead of begging for money from strangers to throw at a nonexistent problem.

Adelaide Hills koala population boom risks starvation, study finds

 

[Judge]

Interesting.

Makes me wonder about the divide of values and perception between one Aussie state and another. I'm guessing being in SA, that you're considerably closer to nature compared to most anyone living in urban areas of NSW or Victoria. Where I'd think much of any human urban environment would be toxic to any number of animal species.

Actually it sounds quite familiar given the differences between one US state and another, with so many ecological variables in play.

 

[Outdated]

I'm guessing being in SA, that you're considerably closer to nature compared to most anyone living in urban areas of NSW or Victoria.

It's only very specifically in and around Sydney where Koalas are dying out, go to the western half of New South Wales and populations are healthy. States of Queensland and Victoria also have to carry out regular culls of koalas to keep populations healthy.

Last year a group of Sydney siders took the Victorian government to court to try and prevent a cull, but consider this:

Why would we take advice on wildlife management from people with a proven very bad track record?

Wildlife advocates file lawsuit over mass koala shootings

 

[Outdated]

Actually it sounds quite familiar given the differences between one US state and another, with so many ecological variables in play.

The biggest problem is people that have grown up only in cities and are completely divorced from the natural world we live in. They don't like the idea of culls "because koalas are cute" without having any understanding of how crucial it is to maintain a balance in ecosystems.

These are the same idiots that keep trying to prevent the burning off of native bush, they have absolutely no understanding of the Australian bush and their reactions are not based in logic but are instead simple emotional responses to situations they are not prepared to learn more about. They have the notion that "fire is bad" with no understanding of what they're talking (protesting) about.

Fact: the trees that Koalas rely on for their only food source rely on fire as a part of their breeding cycle. If the tree doesn't get scorched by fire then it won't flower. No flowers means no seeds, which means no baby trees to replace those that get old and die. So called "greenies" want fires stopped because some animals get hurt in fires, but without those fires all the animals they care about will starve to death.

Save the forests - bulldoze the greenies.

 

[Judge]

The biggest problem is people that have grown up only in cities and are completely divorced from the natural world we live in. They don't like the idea of culls "because koalas are cute" without having any understanding of how crucial it is to maintain a balance in ecosystems.

Sounds very familiar with consideration to my area as well. Bears, wolves and in particular deer. Where policies and methodologies change based on their numbers. All as you say to "maintain a balance in the ecosystem".

To act preemptively to keep a problem from becoming a natural disaster.

 

[Outdated]

Sounds very familiar with consideration to my area as well. Bears, wolves and in particular deer. Where policies and methodologies change based on their numbers. All as you say to "maintain a balance in the ecosystem".

That statement pretty much highlights a big part of the problem, people form different emotional responses to different types of animals and tend to only like the main players such as bears wolves and deer. Probably one of the most important players in your ecosystems are the coyotes but no one likes them. Your possums as well, ugly as they are they are a very necessary part of the balance.

Aussie farmers are finally starting to work this out. Some of them are deliberately devoting part of their land to wildlife habitats and bringing native wildlife back in to the equation is saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars on pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. The success stories in this area keep stacking up.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

It seems to be the same discussions going on all around the world when it comes to nature conservancy.

In countries with a lot of land mass, it seems the large cities, where people are concentrated, and the majority of voters are... there is a disconnect from the realities of nature and what it means to "be in balance". The people who live out in the bush... out in the rural places where they have direct contact with nature and the beauty that it beholds, understand it isn't about absolute numbers, per se, but rather "healthy populations". The people living out in the country... in the bush... they often have a deep connection with animals... and trees and water,...everything in nature. They see the beauty... that's why they live there. However, with that, there is also an understanding that "I too" must survive out here... I am a predator, and I will sometimes have to kill for my next meal.

The folks in the cities just imagine horrible people with guns and killing animals. They see the meat laying out neatly on the market shelves with little thought to how it got there and their own nutritional needs for it. This is a very nuanced conversation for people who are "in the know". The primary problem is that whenever these policies are brought to the broader population... instead of locally... this ignorance is highlighted in the media and sympathy for "cute animals" can distort the realities and goals of the policies.

Related tangent topics...

I wonder how many of these conservationist organization donations and member dues are actually putting their money where their mouth is... or is this just a "money grab" for the administrators and leadership and only a tiny percentage actually goes towards conservation efforts. The term "non-profit" means nothing... if you take in $1 million dollars... and distribute that $1 million dollars to pay your administrative and leadership staff... you've not made a profit.

It's that old argument of which is better, a carnivore or vegan diet? Well, exclusively, neither. Do ranchers raise animals to feed people... which also means raising food crops for the animals... OR... do agricultural farmers grow massive amounts of plants, knowing that the process of planting and growing those plant crops kill ALL the animals and insects, destroying the entire regional ecosystem... or displaces and encroaches upon the flora and fauna that once lived there? There are no clear "winners"... both are what may be considered "necessary evils" that produce good... feeding people. No room for "virtue signaling" here, as it just demonstrates ignorance.

 

[Shamar]

It's only very specifically in and around Sydney where Koalas are dying out, go to the western half of New South Wales and populations are healthy. States of Queensland and Victoria also have to carry out regular culls of koalas to keep populations healthy.

Last year a group of Sydney siders took the Victorian government to court to try and prevent a cull, but consider this:

Why would we take advice on wildlife management from people with a proven very bad track record?

Wildlife advocates file lawsuit over mass koala shootings

Read about the Kaibab Deer experiment, an attempt to create a safe paradise for deer over here. Same situation, same failure.

There are stories of bringing New York City children into the countryside. They freak out because there are no sidewalks, the trees don't have little fences around them, and they suffer from an agoraphobia like response because there are no nearby buildings. Just try to get them to understand nature and ecology.

We have an old joke (I heard it in elementary school) where a bunch of city children were being treated to a day in the country. One found a pile of empty milk bottles and shouted "Hey everybody, look at this! I found a cow's nest!" Seems to have gone from joke to prophecy.

 

[Poppy98]

Koalas aren't the most energetic of creatures and spend the majority of their lives just eating and sleeping.

Eating sleeping and being adorable, sign me up!

we have to regularly cull their numbers

nm about my prior statment,

 

[JayCee]

hmmm... how fo they taste...? in a stew ? Sorry Alter ego, speaking .feeling threatened by world crazinesses . Still remembers older neighbour offering to teach me how to prepare possum ...

 

[Outdated]

I wonder how many of these conservationist organization donations and member dues are actually putting their money where their mouth is...

The one mentioned in the post above is based in Sydney, that alone warrants scepticism.

It's that old argument of which is better, a carnivore or vegan diet? Well, exclusively, neither.

Interesting fact. In terms of nutrition it takes much more land and much more water to feed people on a vegetarian diet than it does to feed them meat. If the whole world had to stop eating meat from tomorrow many millions of people would starve to death within weeks.

hmmm... how fo they taste...? in a stew ? Sorry Alter ego, speaking .feeling threatened by world crazinesses . Still remembers older neighbour offering to teach me how to prepare possum ...

I've never heard of anyone eating Koala, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen though.

Aussie possums are different, they mostly only eat fruit, nectar and pollen so they taste different. The meat isn't popular in Australia but you can find it commercially available if you go looking for it. Mostly it's imported from New Zealand.

New Zealand introduced Aussie possums to their countryside "because they're so cute" and regretted that idea soon afterwards. The Aussie possums became a pest species over there and now they're desperately trying to hunt them out and they sell the meat to help recover some of the costs.

 

[JayCee]

Awe..... they are cute.

 

[Outdated]

There are stories of bringing New York City children into the countryside. They freak out because there are no sidewalks, the trees don't have little fences around them, and they suffer from an agoraphobia like response because there are no nearby buildings.

Many years before I actually went and did it I mentioned in an online forum that I liked the idea of escaping to the bush and living like a wild man. A girl from New York wrote back that the idea terrified her so much that she had to go to a mall to calm down and she was worried that she was going to have nightmares about it.

 

[Judge]

Many years before I actually went and did it I mentioned in an online forum that I liked the idea of escaping to the bush and living like a wild man. A girl from New York wrote back that the idea terrified her so much that she had to go to a mall to calm down and she was worried that she was going to have nightmares about it.

Nothing wrong with that. Unless you live in a shack and have a fetish for assembling explosives.

Before "Ted" the little talking teddy bear, there was that other "Ted".

 

[JayCee]

Aha..? thats why this fbi guy has been infitrating The Forums, about me doing service to my country and asking questions about the Outdated chatters..something about old time letter bombas ... ((( J/k. )))know how touchy old College Prof. s that play with chemistry can sets get ......... . Speaking of service. Please be aware that for this coming friday Jan 23 rd Gov of Minnesota , has requested help in a nationwide strike against doing any commercial or personal business or shopping or spending any money
in a show of civil cohesion ,against the Rumpy blacked masked goons called ICE . Seems much disruption there has ocurred . ""Please past it on,""" This part is serious, for those USA paricipants . Get all your shopping done today, if you can, its just one day.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Please be aware that for this coming friday Jan 23 rd Gov of Minnesota , has requested help in a nationwide strike against doing any commercial or personal business or shopping or spending any money

Purchase before... purchase after... inform me on how any of this makes any difference at all... and how it effects the administration or ICE? What's the point? More useless virtue signaling? Furthermore, how much of an effect would it be if only a tiny percentage of people are participating or is even aware of this?

Boycotts have never worked over the long term... but we aren't even talking about a boycott here... and how are businesses going to put pressure on the administration or ICE? The "dear leader" doesn't listen to his own advisors or his constituents on any topic... it's all about him. He just gets an idea in his head and when people give him any pushback, he goes into "retribution mode".

 

[JayCee]

Okay well he is already taking retribution against Minneapolis and had several other states
Regardless of trying send a message, There is an effect on the economy , however much .
Regardless of appearances, there is a kind of a message sent, on the concept of somekind of public retaliation of their own. The Leaders constituents hopefully will get the message . Other republican States do business with Minnesota. And any Rep. leaders in Minnesota ,may take notice . The request is being made at their governmental level .If the effect carries through ,someway on a National level , all republicans might take note of the capacity to effect the economy . If we do nothing at all ,then it is the sign that all is fine with ICE treatment of people, maybe the impression conveyed . Many are not capable of getting out of there own homes, disability whatever ? What easier way to protest. It is not a hopeless situation unless everyone gives up hope.You get to protest from your own chair. ( of sorts) .All you have to do is prepare one day early ? However insignificant,.
You may say you participated in your small way . It is obvious Rump IS all about the Money And so is the billionare class whom support him. " Just one Day"

 

[Forest Cat]

 

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View attachment 148590

Australia's biggest killer is actually the Sun.

Here's my next week's weather forecast. Although it's not exactly comfortable I'm glad to see it because this represents a normal Adelaide summer. Our weather has been a bit weird for the last few years and I'm happy to see more normal patterns returning.

Remember that Adelaide is on the southern coast, it's a lot hotter further north.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Purchase before... purchase after... inform me on how any of this makes any difference at all... and how it effects the administration or ICE? What's the point? More useless virtue signaling? Furthermore, how much of an effect would it be if only a tiny percentage of people are participating or is even aware of this?

Boycotts have never worked over the long term... but we aren't even talking about a boycott here... and how are businesses going to put pressure on the administration or ICE? The "dear leader" doesn't listen to his own advisors or his constituents on any topic... it's all about him. He just gets an idea in his head and when people give him any pushback, he goes into "retribution mode".

The Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56, followed by Atlanta and other cities ended segregation on public buses.

Delano Grape strike and boycott of table grapes from 1965-70 resulted in Farmworkers unions and wage increases.

In Immokalee, Fl, the “Penny per Pound” boycotts of fast food outlets like BK, McDs, etc. started in 2014 and resulted in an increase in farmworkers wages in the tomato fields of SW FL. A single field worker can pick 4000-5000 pounds of tomatoes per day.

Now, I suspect Tree will be in here soon reminding us to stay out of politics. Apologies, Tree. I had to correct the historical record.