Media releases

Media releases from the Department of Environment and Science.

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May 2022

23 May 2022: World Turtle Day – check the permits are fine or pay a fine

Owners of freshwater turtles often say they make great pets because they don’t need a backyard, they don’t bark at the postie and they don’t need a lot of food.
23 May 2022: Cat on K’gari means trouble for owner

Social media users who follow various pages dedicated to K’gari (Fraser Island) have alerted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) about posts featuring an orange and white domestic cat with a fluffy tail on the island.
3 May 2022: Major recovery works begin in Burleigh Head National Park

Major scaling works have begun in Burleigh Head National Park, as Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and contractors begin the complex task of the safe removal of almost 30 boulders and other debris from the slope above the popular Oceanview Walking Track.

April 2022

30 Apr 2022: New mountainfrog species identified in Southeast Queensland

Ecologists from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and researchers from the University of Newcastle, Southern Cross University, CSIRO and the South Australian Museum have uncovered a new species of mountainfrog; Philoria knowlesi, in Queensland’s south-east, and are now working to protect its habitat.
22 Apr 2022: Feisty two-metre crocodile removed from Kurrimine

A two-metre crocodile that was hanging around a caravan park and boat ramp at Kurrimine Beach in far north Queensland has been removed from the wild.
22 Apr 2022: Stay clear of recovery works, Burleigh Head National Park

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is reminding visitors to obey all temporary closures for their own safety, as rangers ramp up recovery efforts in Burleigh Head National Park following the severe rainfall and floods in February.
22 Apr 2022: Beach driving – there’s no fun in a fatality

Rangers patrolling beaches in the Great Sandy Strait are warning drivers there will be a serious injury or fatality after eleven beach rollovers during the Easter long weekend.
22 Apr 2022: Rangers asking for improved parks behaviour

Poor behaviour in national parks and State forests is putting lives at risk, with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) issuing 21 fines over the Easter weekend in the Lockyer Valley and at Main Range.
14 Apr 2022: Don’t go bush for firewood

As Queensland shifts from summer to autumn, people who dust off their potbelly or fire pit are reminded that timber from State forests and national parks cannot be collected and used as firewood.
13 Apr 2022: Illegal dumping in the Great Sandy National Park

During a routine patrol of the Great Sandy National Park, rangers were dismayed to find a pile of domestic construction waste had been dumped along a firebreak.
8 Apr 2022: Clean-up continues at Ipswich facility

The latest air quality monitoring samples analysed at Cleanaway New Chum landfill site have not identified the presence of air pollutants that could impact on human health.
5 Apr 2022: Go slow for those below in flood-affected waters

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is urging boaties to ‘go slow for those below’ these Easter holidays, as marine animals may be harder to see in flood-affected waters.
1 Apr 2022: North West Island special activity area

With the camping area on North West Island about to reopen for the Easter holidays, visitors are reminded to be SharkSmart to reduce the risk of shark bites.
1 Apr 2022: Odour at Ipswich

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has increased inspections of waste operators in the Swanbank area following the recent floods to deal with excess water and odour issues.
1 Apr 2022: Wongari on the move looking for mates

Residents and visitors to K’gari (Fraser Island) are reminded to be dingo-safe during the school holidays as the island’s wongari (dingo) wander about looking for a mate.

March 2022

31 Mar 2022: Man fined for felling 113 trees in national park

A man has been fined $15,000 by the Cooktown Magistrates Court over the felling of 113 old-growth trees in the Rinyirru National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) in far north Queensland.
31 Mar 2022: Speargun survivor turtle released back to Boonooroo beach

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and volunteers from Turtles in Trouble Fraser Coast have released a green turtle back to its natural habitat on the Fraser Coast following its recovery from a speargun injury.
30 Mar 2022: Covert investigation leads to hefty fine for illegal crabbers

Two fishers have received a total of $20,131 in fines and costs for illegally crabbing in a Moreton Bay Marine Park ‘green zone’ as a result of a joint operation between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP).
23 Mar 2022: Newry Islands National Park amenities upgrade protects Reef

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has invested $180,000 in upgrades to amenities in Newry Islands National Park off the coast of Mackay, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and culturally significant areas while ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for visitors.
15 Mar 2022: Keep calm and carry on to Fort Lytton this Easter

School-aged children visiting Fort Lytton National Park this Easter will be transported back to war-time Brisbane as part of a fun, new hands-on school holiday activity that uses drama to portray the critical role women played in the Australian army.
4 Mar 2022: Fine for illegally keeping crocodile - Townsville

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) welcomes the $3,000 fine handed down today in the Townsville Magistrates Court to a man who pleaded guilty to keeping a crocodile suspected of being illegally taken from the wild.
2 Mar 2022: DES monitors Petrie pond wall

The Department of Environment (DES) is monitoring a pond wall holding contaminated water and sludge on the banks of the North Pine River.
1 Mar 2022: Watch out for wildlife in flood-affected areas

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is urging residents in flood-affected areas to watch out for wildlife while cleaning up after the recent South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding event.

February 2022

25 Feb 2022: Wildlife officers hone their skills to catch a croc

When it comes to managing crocodiles, wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) need to be on top of their game.
21 Feb 2022: Jordan looking for some koala-ity time

A gentle-natured rescue koala by the name of Jordan is on loan to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for the next 12 months to help boost his socialisation skills and fulfill his natural breeding behaviour.
15 Feb 2022: Problem crocodile removed from wild, Cordelia (Ingham area)

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have captured and removed a 3.8 metre estuarine crocodile from the Herbert River at Cordelia, near Ingham, North Queensland.
15 Feb 2022: DES investigates large crocodile, Zilzie (Rockhampton area)

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) are reminding residents to be Crocwise while in Croc Country following reports of a large estuarine crocodile sighted near swimmers at Zilzie, east of Rockhampton.
10 Feb 2022: Last chance to get your tickets to turtle-y amazing show

Tickets to the hottest show in town are still available but visitors to the Bundaberg region are urged to get in quick to avoid missing out on the most turtle-y amazing experience.
10 Feb 2022: Fines to be handed down after state forest safety blitz

Dozens of vehicle owners who illegally entered Danbulla State Forest recently can expect to receive fines following a safety blitz by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
9 Feb 2022: Iconic croc removed from the wild, Cooktown

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have captured and removed a 4.3 metre estuarine crocodile from the Endeavour River at Cooktown.
8 Feb 2022: Double Island Point campfire seconds away from escalating

Another unlawful campfire at Double Island Point by campers without a permit, and another bushfire narrowly avoided.
2 Feb 2022: Fines issued for feeding crocodiles

Members of the public are reminded that deliberately feeding crocodiles can put lives at risk, with seven people fined for this foolish behaviour in a single incident last year.
1 Feb 2022: F-ery important croc safety news for barra season

Boaties are being reminded to heed the very important ‘croc wise’ safety messaging as barramundi season kicks off today around the state.

January 2022

31 Jan 2022: Unlawful campfire and alleged arson on K’gari

Swift action by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) has prevented a potentially devastating bushfire near the Marloo camping area in the northern end of K’gari (Fraser Island).
31 Jan 2022: Ongoing works, Noosa National Park Coastal Walk

A section of the Noosa National Park Coastal Walk will be temporarily closed as the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) undertakes work to upgrade the track and reduce the impact of visitors to the park.
25 Jan 2022: Increase in native hawkmoths, Heron Island

Visitors and staff at Heron Island may notice an increase in numbers of the Australian native hawkmoths and hawkmoth caterpillars on the island over the next few weeks.
21 Jan 2022: Deceased native birds, multiple locations - investigation

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is appealing for public assistance following several reports of deceased native birds from locations in the Central Queensland and Brisbane areas over the past month.
18 Jan 2022: Have your say on the draft Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park management plan

Queenslanders are invited to have their say on the future management of one of the state’s most scenic and remote national parks – Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.

Previous years

Releases from previous years: