Tiger mascot puts on a grrrrreat show

Well here's something you don't see every day - and for those intrigued by the legendary 'American troop mascot theory' often mentioned in Australian big cat lore, it's quite a treat to see an actual big cat getting up close with some military hardware.

Australian Royal Navy sailors from 816 squadron, also known as the Fighting Tigers, dropped into Australia Zoo on Sunday to play with teenage tiger Bashii.

But the eight-man crew from HMAS Albatross at Nowra in New South Wales were kept at bay until the 98kg four-year-old Sumatran tiger had checked out their chopper.

After the sailors’ dramatic arrival, landing their 10-tonne chopper behind the Beerwah tourist attraction, they made a $500 donation to the Wildlife Warriors tiger conservation program. 

Aussie musos rock wildlife scene

Aussie rocker Jon English spends his time these days working with organisations to help breed a captive population of disease-free Tasmanian devils for release back into the wild. "It's like serendipity really," English said.

"I was about to go to Tasmania when I was asked for a contact for [then environment minister] Peter Garrett, and that set the ball rolling."

His involvement in the Save the Tasmanian Devil Fund is not surprising, given he has always loved animals.

And he's not alone. Veteran rocker and lead vocalist of Cold Chisel Jimmy Barnes has become an Australia Zoo Wildlife Warrior - or to put it more succinctly, a special Ambassador to help raise the profile of wildlife in need.

Apparently Australia Zoo has long been a favourite holiday destination of his and now he has taken his passion for wildlife to the next level.

Joining Barnesy on the wildlife trail are Australian pop stars The Veronicas, who profess to be big animal lovers.

Battle on to save tiger from extinction

Right now the world is focusing on saving one of the great beasts of the jungle, the tiger, from the brink of extinction.

This week Russia is playing host to an international tiger summit, and Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged $1 million towards the cause. Wildlife activists and officials from 13 nations where tigers live in the wild arrived in St Petersburg this week at the invitation of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The 13 countries where tigers still exist are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Money raised by DiCaprio and WWF through Save Tigers Now will go to fund antipoaching efforts and habitat protection in the 12 priority landscapes across Asia that WWF believes represent the best locations to maintain viable, thriving populations of tigers. The money will also fund advocacy and outreach activities to build support for tiger conservation.

The summit’s four day goal is for attendees to put their political weight behind vocalising imminent threats, and best practice protection and population recovery methods. There are currently just 3200 tigers living outside captivity in each of the countries represented.

Australia Zoo conservation manager Giles Clark claims there is little hope of turning the tide on other critically endangered flora and fauna if the tiger cannot be brought back from the brink. Mr Clark, who heads to Sumatra next week as part of an ongoing Australia Zoo initiative, said he had confidence the summit was more than a “talk fest”.

He said the Tiger Protection and Conservation Unit in the heart of Sumatran tiger homeland Kerinci Seblat National Park had proved the damage of the past decade could be undone. Australia Zoo has donated $150,000 to the TPCU this year.

“They (tigers) have proven to be incredibly resourceful and can bounce back if they and their habitats are left alone,” Mr Clark said.

Steve Irwin Day - November 15, 2010

November 15 is 'Steve Irwin Day' at Australia Zoo, the zoological park first established by his father Bob Irwin and now run by his widow Terri. Pictured above is Bob (atop cage, with a crocodile inside) with Steve (right) and Steve's daughter Bindi.

The unconventional conservationist, whose TV success spawned the expansion of Australia Zoo at Beerwah, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, was tragically killed by a stingray while filming on September 4, 2006.

Steve Irwin's father Bob said it was a very special day for many people around the world.

"This day will be celebrated by people in different ways to remember a true Aussie bloke who did make a difference," he said.

"For myself, every day is a Steve Irwin Day. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be Steve's dad."

Bob used the day to bring attention to a proposal for the development of two marinas in pristine Tin Can Bay, saying they would threaten the region's dugong and dolphin population.

"This is not a local issue. The area provides habitat for species that are threatened all over the world, and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them," Mr Irwin said.

"I will continue Steve's message to fight for all those that do not have a voice."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/crocodile-hunters-life-remembered/story-e6frf7jx-1225953573001