AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2008
Qld: Call for dog ban to protect koalas
BRISBANE, Aug 5 AAP - A new report has found south-east Queensland's koala population
could vanish within 20 years, sparking calls for a ban on pet dogs.
The survey by consultants GHD for the Environmental Protection Agency and Moreton Bay
Regional Council showed the urban koala population in that area had declined 46 per cent
over the past six years.
The state government has announced a task force to recommend drastic measures to cabinet
within four weeks.
Those measures could include banning dogs in new residential areas, phasing out dog
ownership in existing residential areas, and mandating koala-friendly fences for homes.
Premier Anna Bligh said today tougher action was needed immediately.
"I understand that there will be a big debate about some of these issues, but I'm not
going to stand by and watch the koala population of south-east Queensland simply dwindle
into oblivion," Ms Bligh said.
"These are icon species - the koala is one of the great symbols of our country."
AAP gd/pjo/maur/de
KEYWORD: KOALAS
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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