Media Releases

Recent releases

• Penguin theft results in fine

  23 Apr, 2012

  A man who caught a protected Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) and kept it at his father’s house for several days was convicted and has received an $800 fine.

• Back from the brink – Emergency action gives Pygmy-possums a future

  19 Apr, 2012

  Mt Buller’s Mountain Pygmy-possums have had some rare good news following the success of an emergency action to save the isolated population from extinction caused by declining genetic diversity.

• Nifty trap lifts the lid on the elusive burrowing crayfish

  17 Apr, 2012

  Researchers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) have devised a trap that improves detection and capture of the elusive Burrowing Crayfish.

• Planned burns ignited from the air

  12 Apr, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in Gippsland has treated almost 27,000 hectares of public land this autumn planned burning season to reduce bushfire risk to people, property and communities. DSE Regional Manager Land and Fire, Grange Jephcott said crews use fire-lighting ping-pong balls or aerial drip torches to ignite large areas of remote forests and parks within a relatively short time-frame.

• Please tell us where the Polytelis, pretty polly won’t tell us

  10 Apr, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has called on Victorians to report nesting sites being used by the Threatened Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) as part of the first ever National Recovery Plan for the species.

• Wildlife owners given two weeks to get their books in order

  05 Apr, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment is reminding Victorian wildlife licence holders that they have two weeks to lodge their annual returns or risk fines and loss of their wildlife licence.

• State forests and parks firewood collection points patrolled this weekend

  04 Apr, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria will be patrolling state forests and parks this weekend to ensure people comply with the rules and regulations around firewood collection.

• Canada calling

  04 Apr, 2012

  When Andrew Gordon made the switch from boilermaker to Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) project fire fighter, he had no idea that three years on, he’d be rappelling out of choppers in Canada.

• Lakes Entrance trio convicted of illegal timber harvesting and firewood collection

  02 Apr, 2012

  Two Lakes Entrance men and one woman were recently convicted in the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court of unlawful timber harvesting and firewood collection.

• Gippsland Lakes algae almost clear

  02 Apr, 2012

  The blue-green algal bloom that has been affecting the Gippsland Lakes for the past four months has declined further, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their favourite water activities in the Lakes over the Easter holidays.

• ‘Don’t be an Easter Bunny!’ - Trail-bike riders urged to protect themselves

  02 Apr, 2012

  The high rate of injuries being suffered by trail-bike riders across Victoria has prompted the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to remind riders about the importance of protective equipment.

• Kiwis burn to learn

  30 Mar, 2012

  A crew of 24 New Zealand fire fighters has arrived in Victoria to learn first hand about the state’s planned burning program.

• Take care with your campfire this Easter holidays

  30 Mar, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria are urging the community to act responsibly and show extreme caution when lighting campfires and using barbecues in parks and camping grounds over the Easter holidays.

• Corn snake found wandering streets

  30 Mar, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is urging the public to provide information about the illegal possession of reptiles after a Corn Snake was found in Corio.

• Watching seagrass grow – Marine scientists begin charting Bay’s secrets

  29 Mar, 2012

  Port Phillip Bay’s seagrass is being put under the microscope in one of the most comprehensive studies of seagrass and reef habitats ever undertaken in Victoria.

• Helmeted Honeyeaters’ sweet release to save species

  26 Mar, 2012

  Fifteen critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeaters will be released into the wild today as efforts by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Healesville Sanctuary continue to save the bird from extinction.

• Nowhere to hide as autumn community baiting program gets underway

  26 Mar, 2012

  Rural communities in far East Gippsland are once again joining forces with the Southern Ark project, Parks Victoria and DSE to target foxes and wild dogs.

• Handy camera snaps a Bandy!

  21 Mar, 2012

  While many of Australia’s mammals only get about their business after dark, there are occasions when some of our wonderful marsupials can be seen out and about during the day.

• Port Phillip Bay marine life makes a splash online

  14 Mar, 2012

  An innovative online resource will provide information on the array of marine animals that call Port Phillip Bay home.

• Marlo Platypus fit for release

  13 Mar, 2012

  Biodiversity Officers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), biologists from the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) and Healesville Sanctuary staff are pleased to announce the successful release of a juvenile male platypus back into the wild.