Tree Hollows

So many amazing hollows along the Murray River in Koonoomoo. We were lucky enough to see a Rosella nesting in one.
Hollows are so important to our wildlife. So many animals and birds use them as homes/nests to keep their young safe from predators. This is why trees need to be left alone- to get old enough to develop hollows. Without them, species die. 

Only old trees have hollows. As they fall and die or are logged or cleared, they can not be replaced without 100 or more years of growth, maturity and decay. In Australia many native vertebrate and invertebrate species utilise tree hollows. Many of these species use hollows, and in south east Australia this includes some 17 % of bird species, 42 % of mammals and 28 % of reptiles (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 1997). They include bats, possums, gliders, owls, parrots, antechinus, ducks, rosellas and kingfishers as well as numerous species of snakes, frogs and skinks.

Hopefully these pictures can show people why its very important to protect these trees. Especially in camping areas like along the Murray River. Cutting down any trees for firewood is ILLEGAL even if they look old or "dead."
So if you are camping
- remember to only take branches that have already fallen to the ground for your fires. 
- cutting ANY trees is ILLEGAL
- dragging branches behind your car through the bush is ILLEGAL

If you see someone cutting trees down
- take photos and videos
- call Parks to report them

Allowing people to get away with this not only puts our right of FREE CAMPING at risk of being stopped but also, destroys our bush and puts our wildlife at risk. Leave the bush how you found the bush (and includes taking your rubbish home with you.) Don't burn our trees that give us shade, help produce water and keep our wildlife safe- reduce the fuel load on the ground and take from there.