Molly's+group

page by Maddy C, Mia, Molly and Zoe H. media type="custom" key="4182397" This is a map of Healesville Sanctuary. [] This is a link to a map of Healesville sanctuary zoo.

**The Spotted Tree Frog** Victoria Zoo.com: Many amphibians in Australia and around the world have declined in recent years. The Spotted Tree Frog, a mountain stream species from north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, is one such species. The spread of introduced trout coupled with habitat disturbances has reduced the distribution of this species to a few reaches of rocky mountain streams in just 13 river systems. More recently, a new amphibian disease, Chytridiomycosis (referred to as Amphibian Chytrid Fungus), is threatening the survival of this species in these remaining refuges. Declines in distribution and abundance throughout its range have resulted in this species being listed as threatened. The Spotted Tree Frog is listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is also listed as Critically Endangered on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and by the IUCN (2007), and Endangered on the NSW Threatened Species and Communities Act 1995. Captive breeding for release to support wild populations is an increasingly important element of a coordinated Recovery Program. Zoos Victoria became involved in this program in 1991. The spotted tree frogs are usually found near creeks and rivers, you would be most likely to find them in mountain creeks. Their diet revolves around flies, ants, moths and small spiders. Female frogs grow 61mm avearge and males 50mm average. The Spotted tree frog's family is apart of the other tree frog, forgs. They only live in victoria and are endangered especially after the black saturday fires. They were affected a lot more in the marysville area.

[] Picture source

[[image:http://blog.bioethics.net/541447~Australian-Kangaroo-Posters.jpg width="233" height="306" align="left" caption="Red Kangaroo"]]
Red Kangaroo Red Kangaroos can be found across most areas of Central Australia. They show a preference for open plains where shade trees are available such as Mulga and Mallee Shrub. They feed on grasses and other small plants, mostly at night, but also in the early morning and late evening. Although Red Kangaroos are considered common, their numbers can drop in times of drought. During these times they may have to compete with sheep and cattle for food and fall prey to dingoes as rabbit populations decline. The Red Kangaroo's legs work much like a rubber band. The male Red kangaroo's can leap over 9 metres (30 ft) in one leap. The feet of a red kangaroo can be as big as double a human’s size 10 men shoe! Male kangaroo's can grow up to a big 1.4 metres long (4ft) and can weight up to 85 kg. The female red kangaroo can weight up to 35kg and can grow as long as 1.1 metres (3ft) long. 
 * Sizes: **
 * Feeding: **

The Red Kangaroo prefers to eat grasses and other vegetation like shrubs and leaves. It can go long periods of time without water, as long as it has access to green plants as they have the ability to take moisture out of plants. Although the kangaroos have very long legs and are very fast some were to unfortunate to not escape the horrible fires on February 7th (Black Saturday).
 * Fires: **

 [] This is were i got this information from :)

Like many birds in Tasmania, the Orange-bellied Parrot migrates to mainland Australia each year. The coastal salt marshes and dunes where they spend the winter being cleared and degraded by human activities over the past 200 years. The population of Orange Bellied Parrots left in the wild is now around 150 and only one wild breeding population is known. It is considered critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The Victorian bushfires had a big impact on the parrots. Many were burnt when trying escape by flying over the red hot flames, and because of all the heat they were falling from the sky just like many other birds. Others were burnt when in captivity, sanctuaries and animal help centres were burnt so the parrots could not escape.
 * [[image:http://cleantech.com/news/ctcfiles/uploaded_images_throug_imce/oparrot.jpg align="left"]]Orange Bellied Parrot**



Mountain Pygmy Possum The Mountain pygmy possum is an endangered nocturnal marsupial found in the burnt black surroundings of Kinglake, dense alpines rocks and broad fields. This small mouse like animal weighs on an average of 45gms, is approximately 11cm long and the tail reaches a length longer than the head and body at 14cm long. It is mainly found in southern Australia and walk the grounds of Kosciusko National Park in New South Wales. The Mountain Pygmy Possum eats insects such as the Bognong Moth, fleshy fruits, nuts, nectar and seeds. It is covered in a of grey fur and the fur underneath is a wispy white coloured fine hair. The tail is hairless and has a light pink colour scheme. On the under side of the body, is a pouch containing 4 teats (on the female possum). This species was located in 1896 and was first described as a Pleistocene fossil. During most of the year, males and females live separately form each other. The females live on the higher part of the rocky slopes, while the males live on the margins (outside), usually lower on the mountain. In order to breed the males migrate to the females habitat. However, on Mount Higginbotham, unfortunately the males had to cross a road at the peak of the ski season and their survival and this became a hazard and the staff became aware of the danger. To solve the problem, a "Tunnel of Love" was constructed under the road to decrease the amount of possums claimed and warning signs were placed on the ski slopes and the road to raise awareness of the species safety. The mountain pygmy possum is becoming closer to extinction after the Victoria bush fires early this year. The fire swept the tiny creatures in the blaze and they had no chance to survive. it was a natural disaster that made these nocturnal animals* (so most were sleeping when the blaze broke out) population decrease and it is now believable that approximately 3000 mountain pygmy possum, both adults and babies remain. [] []

Healesville Sanctuary Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most much-admired wildlife sanctuaries. Displaying more than 200 species of Australian wildlife, the Sanctuary is a fantastic location to see native animals in their natural habitat. When injured animals from the bushfires were brought into Healesvile Santuary they were given injections in the bum so they wouldnt be in so much pain. Their wounds were cleaned and treated with special burn lotions, then bandaged. Some animals when put to sleep for surgery would not wake up because something went wrong in their surgery. Vet nurses and vet zookeepers were they people who helped these poor fire victom animals. About 1 million animals where burnt to death in the fires, the only animals that survived were the strong and healthy animals eg. kangaroos, bats, koalas etc. Healesville Sanctuary still has many animals recovering but others are under care by different wildlife carers. All this happened in a very short amount of time so unfortunatley some animals that had been waiting to be taken in care had not survived. Others animals that had survied were not found because there was not a lot of people so they did not suvive. The fresh vegetation that we want to grow is not growing as well as we want, so instead the bad weeds grow and make the animals sick, if they eat it. All the animals that have recovered have been released and placed back in their natural habitat. Other animals will be in care longer because their habitiat has not grown back so they would have know where to live.

Sam the koala picture from: []

Organisations that supported the victorian bushfires Wildlife victoria - //Hundreds of thousands of wild animals are killed, injured and orphaned throughout Australia as a direct consequence of human activities from black saturday fires Feb 7th. As government resources for wildlife management dwindle, much of the work of rescuing and caring for these animals falls on the shoulders of volunteer organisations such as Wildlife Victoria.// Wildlife Victoria’s intention to support Victorian shelter/foster operators and rescue/transporter volunteers who have no other source of funding to help with expenses they incurred during the fire season for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of injured Australian Wildlife from Black Saturday. []

 "Hello everyone I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees. I am here to talk today about the 2009 Black Saturday Bush fires that effected animals habitats, people homes and especially Australians wild life species. This was a tragic event that was introduced to Victoria on the 7th of February 2009 and claimed tens of thousands of animals in the blaze and approxemently 175 people died during the fires. Species lost in Black Saturday are animals such as Koalas, Orange bellied Parrots, Red kangaroos, Mountain Pygmy Possum,the Spotted Tree Frog and lastly the Sooty Owl. These animals are said to be the major animals swept out by the fires and most of their homes were destroyed as well. A highlight that puts me down is that this devastating disaster was definitely not an accident and the trouble caused was purposely lit. families that have lost love ones have been damaged forever and the trees and green surroundings are said to be fully grown and developed in 80 years. I think that we need to be more aware of the danger that broad bushy areas can have and to prevent these hazards we can all make a difference by clearing pathways, roads, river and dams to make an easy escape. They should make underground shelters for animals so they can hide and survive these deadly life claimers. Maybe if we found information about the animals in our bush lands we could have the knowledge to prevent these animals from extinction and find out breeding seasons, food diet and where they are most likely to live. For the benefit and sake of animals we need to be more appreciative of our wild life and protect them no matter where they live. From a backyard to a gum tree to a mountain, we should always try to save our precious species and bush lands."

<span style="font-size: 26pt; color: #7030a0; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Batang','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bibliography The Red Kangaroo (Zoo’s Victoria) [internet] Available From: [] [18th August, 2009] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Orange-Bellied Parrot, // Neophema chrysogaster.created by parks and wildlife service [internet] available // // from: [] // //<span style="font-style: normal; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; msobidifontstyle: italic;">Spotted Tree Frog. (Victoria Zoo) [internet] Available From: // []. // [10, August, 2009] []. [10, August, 2009] //