Latest news with #Caloundra
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tourists oblivious to disturbing scene 500m off sunny Aussie beach
In waters off one of Australia's most popular beaches, something confronting was unfolding. Sunbathers, cafe patrons, and tourists in hotels that overlook the ocean would not have been able to see that 500 metres out, there was a dolphin in desperate need of help. It likely would have died without anyone knowing if a drone operator hadn't noticed something shining on the water and become curious. Their footage, supplied to Yahoo News, shows the dolphin trapped inside a two-metre-long net the state government had set and left to catch sharks off Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. The net is one of 27 laid along Queensland's coast as part of a program designed to reassure tourists the beaches are being protected. Because the Shark Control Program (SCP) is controversial, the drone pilot who captured the vision has asked to remain anonymous, so we'll refer to them as 'Alex'. 'I was filming some surfers. Then I took the drone further out, and that's when I found the dolphin,' they said. 'At first, it made me feel anxious. As I got closer, I felt sick. My body felt really heavy.' Alex is speaking out of concern that the system isn't equipped to free beloved Aussie species like dolphins when they're drowning in the nets. Currently, shark nets are only checked for wildlife every 48 hours, although the new state government plans to update the rules to make it daily. When Alex called the SCP hotline to report their find on April 20, they were told it wasn't possible to send out contractors to investigate until the following day. It's likely the dolphin was already dead by that time. Earlier on that autumn day, the weather had been a warm 27 degrees, and there was a light breeze ruffling the sand. But by the late afternoon, when the call about the dolphin came through, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says it had concerns about sending its contractors out as conditions had become unfavourable. 'Contractors were unable to respond immediately due to workplace health and safety concerns over fading light, weather conditions and large swells,' it told Yahoo News. It said a boat was sent out at 'first light' the following day, but "unfortunately" they confirmed the animal was dead. A separate clip provided by an anonymous source shows the dolphin dead in the water before the contractors arrived. A swimmer is understood to have taken the footage close to the animal, despite there being a 20-metre exclusion zone around shark nets under the Queensland Fisheries Act. The 2025 dolphin entanglement is the first recorded at Caloundra since 2018, when a single animal was released alive. But analysis of the SCP shows dolphins are regularly killed by the program, with nine of the 12 caught in 2023 succumbing to nets or drumlines. That same year, two dugongs and five endangered turtles were also found dead in SCP devices. In May, Yahoo reported on a massive manta ray becoming entangled in nets off Noosa beach. Andre Borrell is the founder of Envoy Foundation and a critic of Queensland's use of shark nets. He argues the state government's need to operate under an exemption in its own Animal Care and Protection Act is a clear sign the SCP is 'cruel'. 'The whole core premise of this program is one of cruelty, and the only reason it can operate is because they've written themselves a loophole,' he said. 'Every death that happens is horrific, there's no good way that an animal dies in shark control equipment or at the hands of shark control contractors. We need to view everything about this program through that lens.' Confronting picture showcases state of Aussie wildlife on world stage Rare animal hiding in outback photo helps solve decades-long mystery 50-night search in Aussie forest uncovers worrying find Critics of shark nets say they are not effective in preventing attacks because they are just 186 metres long and 6 metres deep, so sharks can simply swim around them. While it's acknowledged there are fewer incidents at beaches with nets, critics say the lower numbers are reflective of them being set in areas already patrolled by lifeguards who are able to actively warn swimmers about sharks. NSW also has a shark netting program, and dolphins have been found dead in them on multiple occasions. But coastal councils around the state have indicated they no longer want them set off their beaches, and there will be pressure for the Minns Government to remove them when they are next reviewed. In Queensland, the Crisafulli government appears to be taking the opposite approach. In May it announced it would be expanding the SCP, with an $88 million investment aimed at supporting the state's $33 billion tourism industry. This will include an investment in technology and innovation, but also a possible expansion of netting to six new beaches. The minister for primary industries Tony Perrett said the program would be 'striking the right balance between ensuring swimmer safety and maintaining a healthy marine environment'. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Man jailed after exotic snakes, turtles, iguanas found in foul-smelling package marked as ‘toys' during border search
A man's attempt to import a series of exotic animals into Australia – some of which died during the ill-fated voyage – has been exposed after the plot was foiled by border force officials. Queensland man Jesse Sayeg was this week handed a nine-month jail term after pleading guilty in Caloundra Magistrates Court to three offences related to the illegal importation of live exotic animals. The case was cracked open in March 2023 when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers became suspicious of a package sent from the Philippines. A strong odour from the package prompted them to alert the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). An X-ray of the parcel, which has been misdeclared as 'toys' and sent under a false name, revealed a consignment of reptiles and spiders. A DAFF veterinarian opened the package to discover three snakes, six iguanas, three soft shell turtles and three tarantulas stuffed into calico drawstring bags. Many of the animals were dead. The discovery launched a two-year, multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation Cascade, which uncovered a broader criminal network spanning three Australian states including Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. Subsequent search warrants led authorities to seize a further trove of exotic species, including two hog nose snakes, 45 tarantulas, three eco-skeleton spiders, two scorpions, an African hedgehog and an alligator snapping turtle. DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, warned of the serious risks posed by such illegal activity. DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, said the illegal introduction of exotic animals into Australia poses a significant threat. 'Exotic animals can carry biosecurity risks and diseases unknown in Australia, potentially devastating agriculture, native wildlife and even human health,' Ms Saunders said. She said breaches of Australia's biosecurity laws are treated with the utmost seriousness, carrying penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines as high as $1.65 million for individuals, or $8.25 million for companies. 'DAFF has more than a thousand biosecurity officers working at our borders and in mailrooms every day who are trained to pick up anomalies in the system,' she said. Ms Saunders said wildlife trafficking was a major global crime, ranking just behind arms, drugs and human trafficking in scale. 'DAFF, along with other government agencies, are united in their commitment to eradicate the illicit wildlife trade and will take vigorous and relentless action to seek out those responsible, bring them to justice and stop this global crime.'
ABC News
24-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
'Stranded' Eddie the echidna thought to have swum from Bribie Island's broken tip
An echidna found washed up on the Caloundra foreshore may have swam more than a kilometre from the isolated northern tip of Bribie Island. Locals and wildlife carers believe the animal may have been swept away overnight during a high tide and say it could be "Eddie", a solitary echidna first spotted several weeks ago on the eroding spit of land. Sunshine Coast resident Dave Cairns discovered the echidna at the base of a rock wall near Golden Beach and said it was alive but appeared to be exhausted. "I think it floated across overnight," he said. "It was about a kilometre from where wildlife's been trapped [on the spit]. "With the tide and swell, it could've easily been swept off." Mr Cairns said in all his years living near the passage he had never seen an echidna in that part of Golden Beach. "Never — not once in 30 years," he said. "It's why I reckon it came from the tip [of Bribie]." The echidna is now receiving veterinary care at Australia Zoo's animal hospital, being treated for exposure to salt water. Licensed wildlife carer Sybelle Foxcroft took the creature in and said the echidna was in a humidicrib receiving oxygen. She has previously taken part in a search of the island's tip to locate any animals that were isolated. Ms Foxcroft said she believed it was the same echidna they had been tracking for several weeks. "Looking at footage, his size and condition, it matches what I'd expect if he'd gone without proper food," she said. Where the echidna was found is a densely populated area with apartment buildings and foreshore infrastructure, with little suitable ground for echidnas to burrow or shelter. Dr Kate Dutton-Regester, a wildlife conservationist and lecturer at the University of Queensland, said echidnas were capable swimmers, though it was not often seen. While typically found around freshwater sources, she said echidnas could plausibly travel some distance in salt water, particularly if assisted by currents. Dr Dutton-Regester said the symptoms described were consistent with salt water exposure. She said the echidna could have been swept off the island or may have entered the water voluntarily, but she could not confirm whether it came from the tip of Bribie Island. "We're at the beginning of echidna breeding season," Dr Dutton-Regester said. "If it's a male they often roam more widely in search of a mate." Dr Javier Leon, a coastal erosion expert from the University of the Sunshine Coast, said recent conditions may have already displaced some animals. "We have had a large swell from the east the last two days that might have contributed to further erosion and, potentially, the wash-over of wildlife," he said. He said the area had already been severely damaged following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in February and warned it would become uninhabitable for animals. Jen Kettleton-Butler from the Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body (PPCMB) also travelled to the tip with a wildlife carer at sunset last week in an effort to locate Eddie, but they were unable to find the animal. Animals including goannas, lizards, snakes and small marsupials have recently been observed on the isolated section. Ms Kettleton-Butler said the spit, cut off by two tidal breakthroughs, now measured about 30-40 metres wide and 300-400 metres long and appeared to be shrinking with every high tide. When first contacted the Department of Environment said it had not seen any evidence of worsening impacts on wildlife at the northern tip of Bribie Island that would justify intervention. The statement said the animals in the area were considered to be adapted to rapidly changing coastal conditions. The department has been approached for further comment following the discovery of the echidna at Golden Beach. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie previously said he would request expert coastal engineers to urgently investigate the erosion and assess potential risks to wildlife.
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 The Roses: Philia wins at Doomben for trainer David Vandyke
It's been an 11-year wait but Caloundra trainer David Vandyke thinks he has the filly to give him a Queensland Oaks. In 2014, Vandyke won the Doomben Roses with Arabian Gold before that filly came up agonisingly short 14 days later when second to Tinto in the three-year-old fillies' Group 1. Fast forward to 2025 and Philia led from barrier to box to give Vandyke his second victory in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday and bookmakers reacted to the win by firming the filly's Queensland Oaks quote from $11 into $3.50 favouritism for the $700,000 Group 1 on June 7. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'She was a month between runs and now I've got the nice two-week progression off a hard run today, 2200 (metres). Bring on the Oaks,' Vandyke said. 'Moving forward into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, that's a great asset. She loves it. 'She's a half to Duais, a multiple Group 1 winner that won over 2400 (metres) and she goes right back to one of the best families in the world.' . @KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Philia was forced to work early in The Roses when challenged leaving the straight by Verona Rose before a midrace move from Canny Queen applied more pressure to the leader, but the daughter of All Too Hard was up to the challenge. 'She was more relaxed in herself today which is pleasing going out in trip,' winning rider Kerrin McEvoy said. 'She kicked off the corner but had a bit of a stargaze at the barriers and thought 'job done' so I got a bit vocal with her but she's heading in the right direction. 'She's bred to and I think she will run the distance of the Oaks.' Philia ($3.70) defeated two fast-finishing backmarkers, Jenni's Meadow ($31) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Movin Out ($21) another length back in third. The $3.50 favourite Benagil struggled, beaten almost seven lengths into 10th. • 'I knew she was 100 per cent for today,' Vandyke said. 'She had to sprint a few times during the race and still had the audacity to kick in the straight and hold off the late charge. 'Moving forward into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, that's a great asset. She loves it.' Connections of Jenni's Meadow declared 'bring on the Oaks''. Jockey Ethan Brown declared the filly could have won The Roses if she'd drawn better than barrier 14. Co-trainer JD Hayes, who prepares the filly with brothers Ben and Will, said: 'That was a huge Oaks trial. She drew really wide, in the carpark actually, so we had to take our medicine and go back. But it was a beautiful Oaks run, bring on two weeks' time.' Jenni's Meadow firmed from $51 into $8 for the Queensland Oaks while Movin Out shortened from $51 to $11.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- ABC News
Two people fighting for their lives after caravan crash on Bruce Highway
Two people have been left with life-threatening injuries after a vehicle towing a caravan rolled down an embankment on the Bruce Highway near the Sunshine Coast this morning. Paramedics are treating a man who is fighting for his life at the scene and a woman in her 60s has been taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with chest and abdominal injuries. A third patient is in a stable condition and declined to be taken to hospital. Emergency services were called to the scene at Nirimba, near Caloundra, at 11:20am following initial reports of a two-vehicle crash. It is understood the vehicle towing the caravan left the road and crashed down an embankment into a creek. Police are yet to confirm whether other vehicles were involved. The Bruce Highway northbound is closed near Roys Road and traffic is being diverted. Drivers are asked to avoid the area. More to come.
