Exploring the Kanangra Wilderness (Australia)

**JayS** · 10-24-2011, 22:48

Beautiful country! Thanks for sharing.

**Phillipsart** · 10-25-2011, 00:29

Originally Posted by phan-tom

I've been lucky and seen quite a few over the years but there doesn't seem to be any where near as many as there used to be. I have a friend who works for the QLD government (I try not to hold that against her

) and she heads the QLD koala management team (not sure what the official name for her job is) and she said, after extensive consultation with wildlife conservation experts etc, that the koala will be extinct in the wild in 40 years or less. That was a best estimate and its all down to the loss of habitat caused by development of koala habitat for 'urban sprawl' etc... pretty depressing stuff.

Not only the Koalas that could be extinct in the next 40 years, The Green Sea Turtles could also be extinct in 30 years, if not totally extinct, certainly only very low numbers will be about, due to the environment and man. There's high numbers about at this moment, but the problem is there not successfully hatching the hatchlings. There's not many hatchlings going back into the wild, to sustain a number like we have now for the future. It's takes a long time before Sea Turtles are mature enough to breed. Over 30 years old before they start to breed.

**Callahan** · 10-25-2011, 00:34

Fantastic photos Hitchhiking! What an awesome trip... crazy beautiful scenery out your way! Drop a hammock and tarp into that, and I'd think it'd be hard to go home!

Cheers

**HitchHiking** · 10-25-2011, 03:55

Glad the pics are being enjoyed! Its a long way from Tumbler Ridge eh Callahan

**photohiker** · 10-25-2011, 04:17

Originally Posted by phan-tom

she said, after extensive consultation with wildlife conservation experts etc, that the koala will be extinct in the wild in 40 years or less. That was a best estimate and its all down to the loss of habitat caused by development of koala habitat for 'urban sprawl' etc... pretty depressing stuff.

She clearly hasn't been to Kangaroo Island down here (SA). There are so many Koalas on KI that they have been sterilising them and sending them to the mainland to live out their lives. Maybe they'll go extinct in Qld, but not sure that will apply to the rest of the habitat. There is one in the Gum tree outside my window right now.

Tassie Devil is under way more threat than the Koala, and you're right about the strength in their claws, I wouldn't want to grabbed by one either...

**ofuros** · 10-25-2011, 06:13

Great post & pics HitchHiking....

**easyriver** · 10-25-2011, 09:34

Tnx for the pics, esp the one about the "aboriginal axe groves". Are we talking about them being made during the "stone age", or after? I imagine if one knew what to look for they should be found world wide.

**photohiker** · 10-25-2011, 18:29

Originally Posted by easyriver

"aboriginal axe groves". Are we talking about them being made during the "stone age", or after? I imagine if one knew what to look for they should be found world wide.

easyriver, the Stone age was millions of years ago. The Aboriginal stone tools and relics found in Australia are usually dated to less than 60,000 years old.

Finding Stone Age artifacts is not common, but I have seen many Aboriginal relics on my travels. Always inspected with awe and wonder but then left where found. Don't want any visits from the Kurdaitcha Man!

**phan-tom** · 10-25-2011, 18:34

Originally Posted by photohiker

She clearly hasn't been to Kangaroo Island down here (SA). There are so many Koalas on KI that they have been sterilising them and sending them to the mainland to live out their lives. Maybe they'll go extinct in Qld, but not sure that will apply to the rest of the habitat. There is one in the Gum tree outside my window right now...

Yeah, sorry photohiker I shoud have clarified that it's QLD where they are in real trouble. My friend who was telling me about it works for the QLD government so I don't know much about koala populations in other states.

...esp the one about the "aboriginal axe groves". Are we talking about them being made during the "stone age"...

I think the stone age refers to the period in human history when stone was the hardest material available for grinding, cutting, making pointed sticks etc so I think the answer is yes easyriver. Its believed Australian aboriginals have been here for about 50,000 years and there is more than 4000 rock engraving sites around Sydney alone if that gives you an idea of how many there might be Austalia wide.