From Vincent Serventy, Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia
Our society agrees with most of John Wamsley’s opinion and admires his courage
(17 November, p 48).
However, as the oldest conservation group in
Australia, we have always kept good relations with national park and wildlife
services, who work very hard and are often frustrated by government
departments.
Wamsley does not tell the whole story. The Department of Conservation and
Land Management in Western Australia had earlier created a fence to conserve an
endangered reptile, the short-necked swamp tortoise. It also created “biological
fences” with its Western Shield programme. These covered much of the state,
reducing the numbers of foxes and cats.
As a result, marsupials such as the numbat and woylie increased, being able
to supply Wamsley’s needs. We agree that Australia needs more folk of his
calibre. Our only complaint is that he should not attack conservationists, who
are his friends.
Sydney
