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People power saves QLD turtles and dugongs
20 June 2012 Have your say
Animals Australia supporters and caring people across Australia have won a landmark victory for turtles and dugongs in Far North Queensland. They will now be protected under the Animal Care and Protection Act thanks to you — and spared from brutal hunting methods.
In March this year, campaigning by Animals Australia and animal advocates, Colin Riddell, Bob Irwin and Rupert Imhoff led to two hard-hitting reports on ABC’s 7.30, exposing terrible cruelty to turtles and dugongs in ‘traditional’ hunts in far north Queensland. Footage revealed turtles slowly butchered while still alive and dugongs dragged behind speed boats until they drowned.
Over several years, thousands of outraged Animals Australia supporters and concerned individuals have written to the QLD Government calling on them to act. Under this public pressure, the new QLD LNP Government pledged to remove animal cruelty exemptions that had left these animals vulnerable, within its first 100 days in office. This week it honoured that promise, with Agriculture Minister John McVeigh introducing legislation to state parliament to ensure dugongs and turtles are protected by the same cruelty laws that protect other animals. Local Indigenous elders have also shown their support for the decision.
Sea turtles and dugongs subjected to cruel hunting methods, along with other animals that are traditionally hunted such as kangaroos and goannas, all feel pain, fear and distress — regardless of who the perpetrator is. Cultures the world over are now acknowledging that tradition is no excuse for cruelty. This legislation will help to spare turtles and dugongs the worst of their suffering.
If you were one of the thousands of people who took action to protect turtles and dugongs then we sincerely thank you for helping make this important victory possible. Please take a moment to also thank the QLD Government for this significant decision.
The Hon John McVeigh, Minister for Agriculture
(07) 3239 3000
Update 13 September 2012:
Yesterday, the Queensland Government passed into law the proposed amendments - meaning that turtles and dugongs are now protected from brutal hunting methods.
Post a commentYour Say: 171 comments
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colin riddell:
happy chappy
Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at 5:58am
marie claire we are over the moon also.3 yrs of hard work ,at least now it is a crime to be cruel.
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colin riddell:
Law will go through fully in the next 24 hours
Friday, 17 August 2012 at 9:25am
Mark Roy
Editor, Torres News.
The law you doubted would go through parliament is on the top of the list to be passed fully in the next 24 hours ,hold ya presses!
Show 2 repliesEditor, Torres News.
The law you doubted would go through parliament is on the top of the list to be passed fully in the next 24 hours ,hold ya presses!
Lynette:
turtles dugongs
Thursday, 19 July 2012 at 1:38pm
It is so good to hear that they can stop this cruelty. It makes me sick to my stomach, and very saddened to see the cruelty that human beings are capable of.
Lachy:
dugong - same goes with marine turtle
Monday, 9 July 2012 at 8:59pm
I would be suprised if anyone reading this blog has spent the time looking in to what some indigenous groups are doing about ensuring their hunting practices are closely aligned to the their traditional/cultural roots and the more contemporary steps they are taking to consere the dugong and turtle that populate their traditional sea country. There are lots of remarkable activities happening ranging from complete moratorium (Cardwell mobs, where cyclone yazi desimated seagrass beds) to Torres Strait where they are looking to enforce sustainable take.
Dugong are vulnerable mostly based on their lifecycles and dependence on seagrass beds which are vulnerable to stochastic events like cyclones (and other unanatural ones like urban/industrial developments). Australia is the last stronghold of this species and they are by no means on the verge of extinction. Regional issues do exist like post Yazi but in other places populations are still strong and support indigenous take. Well managed, this take can continue without making these species any more vulnerable than they are today.
In regards to bringing about change, the only way this will happen, particularly north of Cairns and all the way around the SHark Bay in WA is if people work with indigneous people. There is buckleys chance in hell of this new legislative reform having any impact outside of Cairns. If you want to make a positive impact, see what indigenous people are doing about hunting (of any species), understand their interests, motivations and situations and try and work with them. This method of animal rights activism (whilst noble and effective in populated areas) it probably has had the oppostive affect elsewhere.
Show 4 repliesDugong are vulnerable mostly based on their lifecycles and dependence on seagrass beds which are vulnerable to stochastic events like cyclones (and other unanatural ones like urban/industrial developments). Australia is the last stronghold of this species and they are by no means on the verge of extinction. Regional issues do exist like post Yazi but in other places populations are still strong and support indigenous take. Well managed, this take can continue without making these species any more vulnerable than they are today.
In regards to bringing about change, the only way this will happen, particularly north of Cairns and all the way around the SHark Bay in WA is if people work with indigneous people. There is buckleys chance in hell of this new legislative reform having any impact outside of Cairns. If you want to make a positive impact, see what indigenous people are doing about hunting (of any species), understand their interests, motivations and situations and try and work with them. This method of animal rights activism (whilst noble and effective in populated areas) it probably has had the oppostive affect elsewhere.
Peter Gerard:
Complete protection needed
Sunday, 8 July 2012 at 11:55am
Very good news regarding the establishment of some controls over killing dugongs and turtles but the legislation dpesn't go far enough. These animals are endangered and no one should be allowed to kill them. The idea of allowing some' traditional hunting' of these animals to continue demonstrates the servility of our legislators when it comes to indigenous Australians.' Traditional hunting' is a fraud; there is nothing traditional about speed boats and machetes. It's a joke. One would expect so called'traditional hunters' to have more respect for the animal they seek to kill.
Show 1 reply
Cecilia:
There are no excuses for this!!!
Friday, 6 July 2012 at 7:45pm
This is great news for the animals, but like many others have said, im worried about how this will be policed?
These animals are routinely cut up alive. Any assertion that this is an isolated incident, is complete rubbish and a tactic used by the Indigenous sympathizers to attempt to discredit the footage.
I am disgusted our government allows these endangered species to be killed at all. What part of 'endangered' does our government not understand? We have to protect them at all costs.
They are already under enough pressure as is; Ghost nets, pollution, urban expansion. They do not then need to be hunted and slaughtered on top of these other problems.
I applaud the determination of those such as Colin Ridell and Bob Irwin and the ongoing campaign by Animals Australia, Sea Shepherd, Earth Race Conservation and in particular to Rupert who risked his own life to get the footage.
It's immature to cry 'tradition and culture' when it comes to hunting endangered species. There is no excuse for it, whether you are black, yellow, white, catholic, muslim, Buddhist or atheist... Its about protecting the animals.
No person or group has the right to exterminate an endangered species and no person or group has the right to inflict such brutality on an animal. If any white person had done this, then they would have been jailed and heavily fined. There should be a rule for all with no exemptions.
So sad to see elements of the Indigenous camp trying to defend these slaughters. I applaud those indigenous leaders who have had the courage to step forward and condemn the footage and condemn anyone who cuts these animals up alive.
Show 2 repliesThese animals are routinely cut up alive. Any assertion that this is an isolated incident, is complete rubbish and a tactic used by the Indigenous sympathizers to attempt to discredit the footage.
I am disgusted our government allows these endangered species to be killed at all. What part of 'endangered' does our government not understand? We have to protect them at all costs.
They are already under enough pressure as is; Ghost nets, pollution, urban expansion. They do not then need to be hunted and slaughtered on top of these other problems.
I applaud the determination of those such as Colin Ridell and Bob Irwin and the ongoing campaign by Animals Australia, Sea Shepherd, Earth Race Conservation and in particular to Rupert who risked his own life to get the footage.
It's immature to cry 'tradition and culture' when it comes to hunting endangered species. There is no excuse for it, whether you are black, yellow, white, catholic, muslim, Buddhist or atheist... Its about protecting the animals.
No person or group has the right to exterminate an endangered species and no person or group has the right to inflict such brutality on an animal. If any white person had done this, then they would have been jailed and heavily fined. There should be a rule for all with no exemptions.
So sad to see elements of the Indigenous camp trying to defend these slaughters. I applaud those indigenous leaders who have had the courage to step forward and condemn the footage and condemn anyone who cuts these animals up alive.
Dan Murray:
Time to Join the 21st Century!!
Friday, 6 July 2012 at 7:16pm
I am close to those who got the footage and I can assure you no one was paid. I have seen the full video and it clearly shows Rupert walking up the beach to where the Islanders are surrounding the turtle. There is no discussion between them. He stands back and films them kill it in the most barbaric, inhumane, archaic and unnecessary way. You can also hear him sobbing quietly as he filmed the slaughter.
Let me also remind everyone this is NOT an isolated incident. There have been many recordings in the past of turtles being cut up alive. Many of the videos are on Youtube. Colin Ridell and the rest of his team have been releasing this type of footage for years. The difference is the footage that Rupert got was in High Definition. And of course he had to do it undercover. He would have been killed if they knew what he was doing.
And what a silly accusation to make saying he paid for the footage. do you really think the islanders would accept money to let a 'White Man' film something like this? They have been going to great lengths to hide this dirty little secret of theirs. There is no way they would have allowed anyone to film it.
Its now become public knowledge it was filmed using spy sunglasses.
These new laws simply could not come quick enough. There is simply no excuse for this cruelty in this day and age. I now support a complete ban on hunting all endangered animals. This includes both Turtles and Dugongs. This isnt about Racisim. Its about protecting an endangered species. No group or person should have a right to kill an endangered species. Under Cites, Australia has not only National, but also international obligations to protect these remarkable creatures.
For those arguing the 'TRADITION AND CULTURE' argument, then let me remind you it was 'tradition and culture' for many tribes in Papua New Guinea to eat people..... Based on your argument we should allow these tribes to continue cannibalism...??
Its now the 21st century. Traditions and cultures have always changed and involved with time. There is no excuse for unnecessary cruelty and there is no excuse for wiping an animal out under the guise of 'Tradition and culture'..... These remarkable animals (Turtles and Dugongs) are an appendix 1 listed endangered species.
If you want to keep harping on about your 'tradition and culture' right to kill these endangered species, then take off your western clothes, give back the millions of dollars tax payers money supplying you with electricity food, fuel and clothes and start living your lives the way your ancestors did 200 years ago.
You can't have it one way or another.
Wake up Indigenous people and join the 21st century and stop slaughtering these animals in archaic ways!
Show 4 repliesLet me also remind everyone this is NOT an isolated incident. There have been many recordings in the past of turtles being cut up alive. Many of the videos are on Youtube. Colin Ridell and the rest of his team have been releasing this type of footage for years. The difference is the footage that Rupert got was in High Definition. And of course he had to do it undercover. He would have been killed if they knew what he was doing.
And what a silly accusation to make saying he paid for the footage. do you really think the islanders would accept money to let a 'White Man' film something like this? They have been going to great lengths to hide this dirty little secret of theirs. There is no way they would have allowed anyone to film it.
Its now become public knowledge it was filmed using spy sunglasses.
These new laws simply could not come quick enough. There is simply no excuse for this cruelty in this day and age. I now support a complete ban on hunting all endangered animals. This includes both Turtles and Dugongs. This isnt about Racisim. Its about protecting an endangered species. No group or person should have a right to kill an endangered species. Under Cites, Australia has not only National, but also international obligations to protect these remarkable creatures.
For those arguing the 'TRADITION AND CULTURE' argument, then let me remind you it was 'tradition and culture' for many tribes in Papua New Guinea to eat people..... Based on your argument we should allow these tribes to continue cannibalism...??
Its now the 21st century. Traditions and cultures have always changed and involved with time. There is no excuse for unnecessary cruelty and there is no excuse for wiping an animal out under the guise of 'Tradition and culture'..... These remarkable animals (Turtles and Dugongs) are an appendix 1 listed endangered species.
If you want to keep harping on about your 'tradition and culture' right to kill these endangered species, then take off your western clothes, give back the millions of dollars tax payers money supplying you with electricity food, fuel and clothes and start living your lives the way your ancestors did 200 years ago.
You can't have it one way or another.
Wake up Indigenous people and join the 21st century and stop slaughtering these animals in archaic ways!
Luke Sullivan:
Wonderful, but...
Friday, 6 July 2012 at 5:28pm
This is wonderful news, however indigenous communities are still allowed to hunt dugongs and sea turtles under Native Title legislation.
Also, who will enforce the Animal Care & Protection Act in FNQ? The local rangers were shown in the 7:30 report to be corrupt and involved in the poaching... Who is going to monitor these communities to ensure they don't continue to hunt in this fashion?
I grew up with aboriginies and I can tell you they will ignore these regulations. It's not in their nature to follow "white man" laws.
Luke
Also, who will enforce the Animal Care & Protection Act in FNQ? The local rangers were shown in the 7:30 report to be corrupt and involved in the poaching... Who is going to monitor these communities to ensure they don't continue to hunt in this fashion?
I grew up with aboriginies and I can tell you they will ignore these regulations. It's not in their nature to follow "white man" laws.
Luke
Val:
Cruel People
Thursday, 5 July 2012 at 3:59pm
Thanks for making a step in the right direction for these dear turtles as they get terribly upset if they are touched and scream a lot.
sharon:
one country one law
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 11:40pm
They bang on about wanting "equality" well here is their chance to show they mean it!! The exact same laws should apply to all Australians and no concessions should be made for that ridiculous "culture" hide behind reason. Animals do not suddenly become less endangered because they are being slaughtered by an "indigenous" person!!
I lived on the Cape for over 2 years and saw all the cruelty first hand, I contacted Sea Shepherd in regard to this exact practice, I have also lived for an extensive period in several remote communities of the desert regions and the same cruelty occurs out there. Only difference is the kind of animal.
Stop the hunting altogether is the only real way to protect the animals.
Show 2 repliesI lived on the Cape for over 2 years and saw all the cruelty first hand, I contacted Sea Shepherd in regard to this exact practice, I have also lived for an extensive period in several remote communities of the desert regions and the same cruelty occurs out there. Only difference is the kind of animal.
Stop the hunting altogether is the only real way to protect the animals.
Cathy D:
Remember?
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 10:18pm
Great news i must say,but just because there is a law does not mean that people will abide by it.Will they go elsewhere for a quick buck and leave the wildlife alone because of the new "law"- sadly i really don't think so!
[Edited by Admin]
Show 2 replies[Edited by Admin]
Me:
Me
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 8:58pm
How will this be policed? It all well and good to have a law but someone needs to follow it.
Show 4 replies
News from Nowhere:
Uniform laws
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 8:50pm
I guess the next logical step for Mr Imhoff et al would be to campaign to change Queensland's laws to bring it into line with the rest of Australia regarding secretly filming people.
There's plenty of footage out there of suburban kids being cruel to animals, too. But would we conclude from such footage that all mainland Australians are cruel psychopaths who torture animals?
If such footage was presented in the same manner as the 730 Report presented images of these alleged "traditional hunters" (who were in fact secretly filmed, allegedly paid, and uninitiated islanders - not traditional hunters) then I'm sure we would indeed reach the same conclusion.
Such is the power of the media during an election campaign. Yeah, congratulations, guys. You've just made life in the Torres Strait hell for genuine journalists and researchers.
Again: If you want to protect and care for native animals, try working with traditional owners. Don't betray them, lie to them, and threaten them with fines and jail. There's been enough of that over the past 200 years.
Show 5 repliesThere's plenty of footage out there of suburban kids being cruel to animals, too. But would we conclude from such footage that all mainland Australians are cruel psychopaths who torture animals?
If such footage was presented in the same manner as the 730 Report presented images of these alleged "traditional hunters" (who were in fact secretly filmed, allegedly paid, and uninitiated islanders - not traditional hunters) then I'm sure we would indeed reach the same conclusion.
Such is the power of the media during an election campaign. Yeah, congratulations, guys. You've just made life in the Torres Strait hell for genuine journalists and researchers.
Again: If you want to protect and care for native animals, try working with traditional owners. Don't betray them, lie to them, and threaten them with fines and jail. There's been enough of that over the past 200 years.
Marié Naude:
Saving Tutles
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 7:35pm
Please stop the slaughter of these helpless animals. Live Sheep export is the cruelst practice .Quote that I believe in
"If you have men who exclude any of God's creatures from shelter compassion and pity YOU will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men"
Show 1 reply"If you have men who exclude any of God's creatures from shelter compassion and pity YOU will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men"
Harry:
Well done to all involved
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 7:13pm
Congratulations to Colin, Bob, Rupert and the politicians involved. It is a shame the politicians before turned a blind eye, but finally there is a turn for the better.
Sally Cook:
well done
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 3:19pm
So impressive.Well done and thank you.....
Bernadette Johnson:
Bravo
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 3:10pm
This is great news, indeed. Now if we could only get the Qld. Government to take a stand on protecting the rest of the Queensland flora and fauna from development and abuse.
Blukat James:
Well done Colin Riddell
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 12:30pm
Fantastic news and well done to the tireless efforts of Colin Riddell.
lisa p:
Great News!
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 at 12:14pm
There's no place in the year 2012 for the killing of animals that are already endangered!
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