Presenters share impressive animal knowledge at Gloucester workshop Gloucester District Gloucester District News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 30, 2024 Presenters Mat Bell, Caitlin Orr, Candice Skelton, Dr Kaya Klop-Toker and Kristy Peters. LOCAL animal experts shared their knowledge with 57 keen attendees at Gloucester Environment Group’s recent ‘Tweet-Croak-Grunt’ workshop. The day’s first speaker, Kristy Peters from Birdlife Australia, presented a lively talk on the birds of Australia. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Her focus then shifted to the Gloucester area, with an opportunity for participant input. The presentation was enhanced by beautiful photos of birds; some taken locally by David Rolfe. The next speaker was Dr Kaya Klop-Toker, a frog research scientist from the University of Newcastle. “Members of the audience were mesmerised by her fascinating talk, and photos of frogs from around the world and Australia,” said Di Montague from the Gloucester Environment Group. “She highlighted the amazing array of body colours, complete with spots and stripes. “No one in the audience would have known that one venomous frog, from South America, can kill up to 20 people or two bull elephants.” MidCoast Council’s Senior Ecologist Mat Bell and Koala Project Officer Caitlin Orr, alongside Candice Skelton from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, then discussed the endangered koala. “Not many knew that koalas can sometimes eat from tree species other than eucalypts,” Ms Montague said. “We saw photos of koalas hiding away from the heat in tree hollows on the ground. “They stressed the need to retain connecting forests and the planting of trees on private land and council public areas. “They outlined what Council and National Parks are doing in our area and how the recording of sightings is so important in order to receive State Government funding for koala protection.”
