Elephants and Komodo Dragons!!!

Hi Steve,

When Tim Flannery wrote his book The Future Eaters back in the early 90s he proposed there that Komodo dragons be introduced as a top predator that we have lacked.

Dont know/haven't heard anything about elephants. Maybe its another of Dr Tim's ideas.

When he (TF) wrote The Future Eaters I thought he was a smart thinker although his K Dragon idea was a bit "off the wall" and even he admitted it then. Since then though my estimation of him and his ideas has gone rapidly downhill, as he has made too many wildly extravagent predictions and claims about things way outside his area of expertise.

Cheers,

Val

You'd think they would have learned from the cane-toad debacle.

Yes, unbelievable.

Frank

Elephants are a terrific idea. We could trial them in Queensland first, training them to squash Cane Toads would be great!! Michael

Hi

I think it may be an April fools joke published 2 months too early. Wouldnt bother reading too much into it. It will never happen - just one person thinking out aloud and getting some air time.

Cheers
Greg

Can you imagine instead of a 'roo bar, an elephant bar on the front of your 4B.

Have the media started interviewing the inmates of the local nut house.

Article was in today's West Australian. Professor making the suggestion comes from Tass from memory. Some academics think it's not a bad idea others think he's on a different planet. Didn't read it properly though, as I thought it was a crock of elephant manure.

Hi Steven,

After 200 years or so we still have not learnt from our mistakes by introducing species of new animals on this wonderful continent. None of them have worked and all have had devastating consequences.
I own and breed Dingoes and have gathered a vast knowledge of this wonderful predator.
Where native habitat were on the brink of extinction in certain parts of the country, the Bilby, a noetable reference, the re-introduction of Dingoes back into these areas have had remarkable results.
Not only was the eco system brought back into balance, suspect native fauna near extinction in theses areas now flourishing and flora have also recovered.
The eradication of ferals animals in these areas by bringing back the apex predator (the Dingo) cannot be disputed.
Goats, foxes, feral cats and other vermin are no longer in these experimental areas.
There is no need to introduce more problems when our native dog can restore the environment back to the way it should be.
Yellowstone N.P (America) have had extraordinary results by re-introducing the Wolf back to it's native home land. When all hope seemed lost to restore this fantastic N.P back to all it's glory, rivers, forests, elk and other notebale animals, are all making a strong recovery, all via the Wolf's presence.
We should do the same here with our native dog......the Dingo.

Only my thoughts,

Cheers,, John R

G'day Steven G1

Your post subject is something that was talked about on the North West ABC radio today, amazing how the general poulation think suggestions like Elephants and Komodo dragons in the Australian wilderness chomping on unwanted grasses, feral cats and the like, think its NUTS and the person or people who actually suggest the idea are loopy as well.

Well mate, its actually happening to a great degree as we speak and no one seems to give a toss because the Elephants in the grass are the mining giants, but now that they want to control the print and television media, it will be kept a secret.

Safe travells:

Here's the report from the no brain do-gooder.




In an article published in the journal Nature today, Tasmanian scientist David Bowman proposes allowing the enormous mammals to roam through Australia's savannas to control the African pest gamba grass.

But the Pew Environmental Group says unleashing elephants could be disastrous.

"Unmanaged fire and invasive pests are some of the biggest threats to the native plants and animals of the outback," Patrick O'Leary from group said in a statement today.

"But the solution is already in our own backyard and the last thing our unique landscape needs is the equivalent of a 10-tonne cane toad flattening the countryside."

Mr O'Leary said other options, such as greater funding for indigenous rangers, were a better way of controlling pest plants and animals.

"Indigenous rangers have stopped noxious weeds like Mimosa from expanding from the Northern Territory into the Kimberley," Mr O'Leary said.

"We do know how to control pests like gamba grass. It's not too late at all - that's a furphy - but we have to have a coordinated, scientific and properly funded approach."

Professor Bowman, an environmental change biologist at the University of Tasmania, wrote that wild elephants could fight invasive pests and reduce fire hazards.

With around five per cent of the continent burnt in bushfires last year, the introduction of large animals could help reduce the amount of the flammable gamba grass that is widespread in northern areas, Prof Bowman writes in the article.

"It is too big for marsupial grazers (kangaroos) and for cattle and buffalo.

"But gamba grass is a great meal for elephants or rhinoceroses," he writes.

"The idea of introducing elephants may seem absurd, but the only other methods likely to control gamba grass involve using chemicals or physically clearing the land, which would destroy the habitat."


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I was wondering how many cattle in the high country equates to 1 elephant.

I believe in its original context the statement was deliberately "out there" to make a point. He wasn't seriously suggesting elephants.

Found this today. Thought some of you may be interested.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glanceview/213702/bringing-elephants-to-the-outback.glance

Cheers Stev