Protecting all animals

Performance Report 2017-18

Vision: A world where people treat animals and the environment with respect and

compassion.

Mission: Building an ecologically sustainable and humane world for all animals.

How we work: We base our positions on sound science, the precautionary principle

and compassion for all animals. We work to educate and advocate for strong laws that

recognise the needs of animals and long term ecological sustainability. We seek to

change human behaviour to move from exploitation to compassion for animals. We

directly intervene in cases where we can prevent suffering of individual animals and

protect threatened populations and species.

We believe that you need to understand the causes of animal cruelty and extinction to

effect change. We believe in identifying the motivations behind human actions that

cause animal suffering and extinction and that we can find alternative cruelty-free and

sustainable solutions. We believe that working collaboratively with other groups makes

all our efforts more effective. We believe in using existing law and the courts to push

for positive change for animals and the environment.

Niche: HSI is the only international group working on saving endangered species;

improving legislation that impacts animals and the environment; reducing cruelty in

farming and industry; improving the welfare of domestic animals; and increasing

habitat devoted to conservation.

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Objectives:

To promote the protection of all living things from cruelty and neglect.

To promote the enhancement and conservation of all wild plants and animals.

To promote the protection and conservation of, or research into, native species

and ecological communities listed in Federal, State and Territory legislation.

To promote the welfare and conservation of all animals and wildlife in domestic

and international trade.

To use all means to further humane and environmental education.

To participate in, and cooperate with, all other international organisations and

with societies and organisations in Australia and other nations, in all efforts to

prevent or ameliorate the suffering of animals and the preservation and

conservation of the environment.

To assist and persuade, if necessary through legal means, to compel

government bodies and agencies to further the protection of animals and the

environment through appropriate regulations and enforcement.

To pursue all lawful means in furthering the purposes of this incorporated body.

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Campaign and Program Outcomes

1 - Australia uses and enforces current laws in the best interests of people,

animals and the environment

Habitat Protection Our campaign identifying the most threatened habitats in Australia and nominating them to be assessed for listing under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) has had another successful year, with Coastal Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) Forest of New South Wales and South East Queensland, an ecological community nominated as Endangered by HSI in 2014, completing the assessment process and being listed as a Threatened Ecological Community. Occurring from Gladstone in Queensland to Bermagui in New South Wales, this community spans across 32,000 hectares on regularly flooded alluvial soils near floodplains, wetlands and estuaries, consisting of a mosaic of forests dominated by swamp oak and featuring lilly pilly, cheese trees and paperbarks. It provides vital habitat, food and nesting sites for a wealth of significant and threatened species including regent honeyeaters, swift parrots and white-throated snapping turtles, as well as koalas and spotted-tailed quolls.

Coastal Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) Forest of New South Wales and South East Queensland We made two further submissions in the 2018 call for nominations, for ‘Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub of the Sydney Region' and 'Kwongkan Shrubland thickets of Western Australia's Avon Wheatbelt’, however these are yet to receive assessment prioritisation. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee has also / is also due to provide its listing advice to the Minister for the following HSI nominated ecological communities by mid-2019:

Poplar/bimble box grassy woodland on alluvial plains (decision twice deferred)

Tasmanian Forests and Woodlands dominated by black gum or Brookers gum (Eucalyptus ovala / E brookeriana) (decision twice deferred)

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The community of estuarine species dependent on salt=wedge estuaries of southern Australia

Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain

Ridged plains mallee woodland

Robertson Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion HSI is responsible for nominating 28 of the 78 (35%) of the TECs currently listed under the EPBC Act, as well as 10 of the 16 (63%) currently under assessment or awaiting a decision. The TECs currently listed that were assessed due to HSI nominations now amount to more than six million hectares of threatened habitats across Australia and assist in the targeting of Government recovery funding and initiatives such as Landcare, the Green Army and 20 Million Trees program. They are a highly important component of having remnant vegetation valued.

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As part of this continuing program, HSI has initiated research and preparation of a number of new ecological community nominations to be submitted for consideration in 2019.

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Marine Species A recent scientific nomination by HSI has seen the Australian sea lion listed on the Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPLA) to be considered for listing as Endangered under the EPBC Act. The species is currently listed as vulnerable. We expect a decision later in 2018. However in June 2018 we succeeded in getting the Western Australian Government to implement fishing exclusion zones around sea lion colonies. This important measure will help reduce the number caught and killed in the WA gillnet fishery and follows similar progress we made in South Australia where exclusion zones have been enacted for nearly six years. HSI successfully nominated the east coast population of the grey nurse shark for Critically Endangered status in 2000. Image: Dave Bluck HSI continued to actively engage in the review of the Commonwealth Bycatch Policy, attending stakeholder meetings and providing written comments on the latest draft. HSI continues to act as the conservation representative on the Commonwealth Fisheries Marine Mammal Working Group, providing advice on bycatch of marine mammals in Commonwealth fisheries. HSI also made a federal nomination for “Death or injury to marine species following capture in lethal shark control programs (nets and drumlines) on ocean beaches” highlighting the high level of threat to species such as the Critically Endangered grey nurse shark. HSI scientific nominations for three species of hammerhead shark led to the Federal Environment Minister announcing a ‘conservation dependent’ listing and management recommendations for the scalloped hammerhead in March 2018. Australia’s lists of threatened species receiving legal protection rely on public nominations and HSI is the country’s main nominator—we are currently working on new nominations for a variety of shark species.

Tiger sharks are the most impacted species in the QLD Government’s shark control program. Image: le bouil baptiste/shutterstock.com HSI is challenging the ten year permit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority issued to the Queensland Department of Primary Industry for 173 lethal drumlines to kill sharks in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Both agencies are defending the case which will be

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heard at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Brisbane starting on 30 January. Humane Society International is represented by Environmental Defenders Office NSW in the case, and is advocating for the removal of the lethal drumlines in favour of non-lethal measures. Terrestrial Species Nominations for “The loss or removal of dingoes in Australian landscapes” addressed the mesopredator release hypothesis, stating the case that in the absence of Australia’s top terrestrial predator introduced species such as feral cats and foxes are able to prey on threatened bird, mammal and reptile species more freely. These were submitted for assessment at the national level (EPBC Act) as well as in Victoria (FFG Act) and NSW (BC Act). An additional federal nomination for “The impact of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabei) on Lasiorhinus spp.” was prepared and submitted in an attempt to address the devastating impacts of mange on Australia’s wombats, including its potential to push the southern hairy-nosed wombat into a threatened species category or render the northern hairy-nosed wombat extinct. HSI has also worked to address threats to Australia’s biodiversity through the preparation of Key Threatening Process nominations seeking to have threats recognised in law and subsequently addressed through Government policy and Departmental action. HSI celebrated a significant win in May 2018 after a three year battle with the Federal Department of the Environment. Represented by Environmental Defenders Office (EDO NSW). The legal battle resulted in the release of Freedom of Information (FOI) documents that revealed the Federal Government advised the Government of NSW that its Biodiversity Offsets Policy did not meet national environmental standards. Despite this, the Federal Government went on to accredit the NSW policy allowing it to be used when approving developments impacting nationally threatened species found in NSW. This case highlights that handing over decision-making responsibilities to the states when it comes to our most threatened species will weaken protections for our most threatened species. HSI will continue to advocate for the Federal Government to hold the states to strong national environment standards as a minimum. International Treaties HSI also continues to actively engage in seabird and in particular albatross conservation matters—including attending the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna in October 2017, attending the annual meeting of the Longline TAP meeting as a longstanding member of the Longline TAP team, and submitting comments to the proposed National Plan of Action for Seabirds and AFMA’s draft Seabird Bycatch Strategy.

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In addition, HSI continues to attend CCAMLR meeting in Hobart (represented on Australian Government Delegation) working to ensure CCAMLR maintains its strong albatross protection regime. HSI attended the Convention on Migratory Species Convention (CMS) meeting (as a member of the Australian delegation) in the Philippines in October 2017, where dusky, blue, angel and whale sharks all won increased protections. HSI has had a strong presence all through the UNFCC negotiations and we continue to do so. HSI was represented at the November 2017 UNFCC meeting in Bonn, Germany where disappointing progress was made on the technical work that is essential to the long-term integrity of the Paris Agreement, especially accounting rules. However, the important role of ‘natural solutions’ (protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems for contributing to emissions reduction and sucking carbon back out of the atmosphere) was recognised. In December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly announced the commencement of negotiations for a new global treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) – out on the high seas beyond coastal states’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). It is hoped the new treaty will reinterpret the general duty to cooperate to ‘protect and preserve the marine environment’, as set out in the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to mean that the oceans belong to everyone, rather than the old dictum that the oceans belong to no-one. HSI continues to be involved in the UN talks through the BBNJ negotiations in New York In February 2018 we released Marie biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction: Australia’s continuing role, the report resulting from an international workshop held by HSI, the Australian Committee for IUCN, the Environmental Defenders Office and the University of Queensland Global Change Institute. http://www.hsi.org.au/assets/publications/593_marine-biodiversity-beyond-national-jurisdiction-australia-s-con.pdf 2 - Australia has environmental and animal welfare laws which protect

ecological sustainability and eliminate unnecessary suffering.

Biodiversity policy and law HSI is calling for new nature laws to better protect our unique and precious wild animals and places and we are not alone. At a symposium in Canberra in March 2018, hosted by the Places You Love alliance (of which HSI is a founder) with the Australian Committee for IUCN, the National Environmental Law Association and the Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law (APEEL) eminent legal experts, practitioners, academics and campaigners all agreed we need a new legal framework to effectively protect our natural world. This new framework must be built on five key principles: national leadership; a central role for community; trusted institutions; strong environmental outcomes; and resilience in the face of climate change.

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HSI has worked with the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) NSW to design a robust set of next generation biodiversity laws that we believe nature needs to survive the challenges facing it. Our paper recommends a number of significant changes including the establishment of new independent institutions. First, an independent National Sustainability Commission to develop national standards, plans and strategies. Second, an Environment Protection Authority to decide on development approvals against a modernised set of principles to guide

Ecologically Sustainable Development. Thirdly, an independent Scientific Committee empowered to list threatened and protected matters directly, with reasons based on scientific evidence. In addition we are calling for an increased focus on timely recovery plans for threatened species with objectives to which the minister will be held accountable. This will help to prevent threatened species dwindling further in the absence of any deadline for recovery plan development, implementation and funding. We are also proposing new triggers for federal protection including Land-clearing and Ecosystems of National Importance. The need to protect Ecosystems of National Importance first came up as part of the Hawke review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which recommended that ‘ecosystems of national significance’ be added as a new matter of national environmental significance. Ecosystems of National Importance are however, just one important best practice element that must be included in new nature laws. Our joint paper with EDO NSW sets out this and many other essential elements of next generation biodiversity laws. HSI shared our report with key decision makers in all the major parties and the paper is available at : https://hsi.org.au/uploads/publication_documents/HSI_EDO_Next_Generation_Report_WEB.pdf Oceans law reform has also been a focus for HSI and in May 2018 we held a workshop bringing together key experts to discuss what was needed in the way of laws, institutions and cooperative arrangements to best protect the oceans that surround Australia. Discussions were based on an options paper prepared by Rachel Walmsley from EDO NSW based on various consultations over the last year. This was the fourth workshop HSI has held on ocean law reform and it is part of our broader work to ensure that Australia’s oceans are given the legal protection they deserve.

iStock.com/Huw Thomas

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There was general agreement that it is time Australia stepped up to better protect its ocean environment and that what is needed is significant law reform in the form of a new Oceans Act to set the framework for achieving the comprehensive protection required, involving all levels of government and stakeholders across the board. HSI will release a new report prepared by EDO NSW outlining the recommendations for a new Oceans Act later this year. Submissions for Animal Welfare The new standard for free range eggs in Australia came into effect in April 2018. Despite the solid CSIRO science behind the former 1500 per hectare stocking standards, governments increased the stocking density for free range by 600%. HSI will continue to argue for a reduction in stocking densities and promote 1500 through our Humane Choice label. HSI prepared a submission on the draft Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry in February 2018. Our submission covered a range of issues including the provision of perches, litter for dust bathing, light levels, biosecurity and disease, and stocking densities. We also called for a total phase-out of battery cages—a move supported by the overwhelming majority of Australians (a recent RSPCA poll found 84% of Australians want an end to battery cages). A revised draft is expected to be released before the end of 2018.

HSI’s groundbreaking report on the ejiao industry identified that more than $4 million worth of the product was imported into Australia in 2017. Image: HSI HSI launched our investigative report into the ejiao industry in May 2018. Ejiao is a product made with gelatin obtained from boiled donkey skins which is being heavily marketed in China as a cure for a wide range of ailments despite having no proven benefits. The report revealed that

Australia is the 8th biggest importer of ejiao products and documented inhumane slaughter of donkeys in China. HSI has been supporting a public education campaign in China to highlight the welfare, environmental and health risks with ejiao products. We are also calling on the Australian Government to rule out supplying donkeys to China for ejiao. The report can be read here: http://hsi.org.au/assets/publications/602_ejiao-an-investigative-report-2018-au.pdf HSI engaged with key members of the NSW Police Force to provide intelligence and assist with efforts to improve criminal proceedings relating to illegal substance use within the greyhound racing industry. In August 2017, we sent a submission on the proposed Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds in Victoria. HSI met with Greyhounds Australasia in December 2018 to discuss our recommended legislation amendments to curb greyhound exports. HSI also supported efforts to release Australian greyhounds who have ended up at the notorious Canidrome in China set to close during 2018.

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3 - Australians understand the importance of ecological sustainability and good animal welfare and are able to make humane choices Wildlife Land Trust HSI’s private land conservation program had another strong year of growth, welcoming more than 70 new members to take the national tally past 540 privately-owned sanctuaries covering more than 65,000 hectares of land dedicated to the preservation of habitats and species rare and common alike. A recent analysis found that more than 200 sanctuary owners are involved in wildlife rescue, care and release, and that more than 100 WLT sanctuaries have attained permanent biodiversity protection—with 20 of these establishing the protection while being WLT members and approximately 50 more members seeking it. The following trends identified in late 2017 remain current: More than two thirds of NSW WLT members intersect with key locations for the protection and recovery of threatened species such as the yellow-spotted tree frog, regent honeyeater, eastern chestnut mouse, Bathurst copper butterfly and Minyon quandong through the Office of Environment and Heritage Saving Our Species program; and two thirds of our Australian members are located inside the Great Eastern Ranges conservation corridor, covering tens of thousands of hectares of habitat for wildlife, including threatened species such as the spotted-tailed quoll, koala, sugar glider and glossy black cockatoo.

Glossy black cockatoos on WLT sanctuary Jens and Ute's Refuge. Image: J Sohnrey The Wildlife Land Trust is a sponsor of the 2018 Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference in July in Sydney, and will host a stall and engage with dozens of existing and prospective members. A selection of inspirational WLT success stories are set to be presented at the upcoming 2018 Private Land Conservation Conference in Brisbane,

and staff also represented the WLT at various other conservation events throughout the year. The WLT’s new Sanctuaries You Can Stay program, which promotes ecotourism businesses run on member sanctuaries, now features more than 40 accommodations across Australia. The WLT also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the recently established NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), formalising a cooperative arrangement where eligible WLT members will be approached regarding obtaining permanent protection for their sanctuaries while the WLT will be promoted to BCT applicants. See latest WLT newsletter: https://www.wildlifelandtrust.org.au/index.php/publications/wlt-newsletters/download?path=WildlifeLands_Issue20_2018.pdf HSI sent two newsletters and a campaign report this financial year to inform supporters about critical issues facing animals and our environment.

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https://hsi.org.au/uploads/publication_documents/HSI_E-Newsletter_July_20171.pdf https://hsi.org.au/uploads/publication_documents/HSI_Newsletter_Mar_2018_WEB.pdf https://hsi.org.au/uploads/publication_documents/HSI_Campaign_Report_2017_WEB_FINAL.pdf We issued 69 national media releases, generating 172 media stories across television, online, print and radio news, reaching millions in Australia and around the world. 4 - Immediate suffering of individual animals is alleviated through direct

intervention and long-term care is provided with release back to the wild where

possible

Global conservation programs HSI continues its international conservation programs in cooperation with key partner NGOs. As at 20 June 2018, HSI has supported close to 450 projects in more than 50 countries, in 22 of the world’s global biodiversity hotspots. Our report on this critical program will be released in September 2018 and will contain a range of policy proposals for the Commonwealth Government to help neighbouring countries support, manage and protect their diminishing biodiversity. A few highlights of the work we supported in 2017-18: Image: Bali Sea Turtle Society Saving Bali sea turtles HSI is the major supporter of the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS). There are only seven species of sea turtle in the world and six of them are found in Indonesian waters: the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle. Endangered Green and Loggerhead turtles, vulnerable Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles and the Flathead turtle (whose conservation status is unknown due to a lack of data). BSTS runs community-based conservation programs to help protect these turtles from poaching and work to educate and change local behaviour from consuming turtles to conserving them. One of the key activities is nest protection. With eggs relocated to a protected hatchery safe from poachers, tourist traffic and feral dogs until they are ready to hatch when they are returned to the beach for release back to the wild. As at 30 June, 2018 a total of 367 nests containing 36,024 eggs had been rescued. The full year of 2017 saw 47,229 hatchlings released—13,974 have already been released in 2018. Fighting wildlife crime in Vietnam HSI supports a range of work through our conservation partner Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV). ENV has focused its activities on reducing consumer demand for wildlife products through investment in a long-term and sustained effort to influence public attitudes and behaviour; strengthening enforcement through direct support and assistance to law enforcement agencies and mobilising public participation to combat wildlife crime; and working with policy-makers to strengthen legislation for wildlife protection.

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Protecting painted dogs Fewer than 7,000 painted dogs are left in the entire continent of Africa and are found nowhere else on the planet. HSI supports the Painted Dog Conservation Project in Zimbabwe which is home to roughly 700 animals. The project works with local villages to run conservation programs and education and outreach programs. These efforts include Anti-Poaching teams and a Rehabilitation Facility where injured and orphaned dogs can be treated before being returned to the wild. More than six packs of dogs are monitored across Hwange National Park. Turtle conservation We have proudly supported the work of the Turtle Conservation Fund for many years and have contributed to a huge variety of research projects around the world designed to help ensure the long-term survival of freshwater tortoises and turtles. One example of a recent project is our support for the post-release monitoring of confiscated Big-headed turtles in Myanmar. These animals are considered Critically Endangered because of demand as an exotic pet in wildlife markets in China. Efforts by Myanmar law enforcement authorities to stem the smuggling have resulted in several large confiscations in 2016 and late 2017. This project will monitor 10 released turtles for 12 to 18 months to determine their survival rates to help inform future conservation efforts. Anti-poaching and anti-wildlife trade efforts in India HSI Australia has been partnering Wildlife SOS India for well over a decade now, and we are pleased to continue supporting their very effective ForestWatch program. The nation-wide anti-poaching and wildlife trade monitoring program works on capacity building and harnessing existing intelligence networks and skills from the poaching community. To ensure long-term sustainable enforcement efforts, ForestWatch works closely and successfully with all Indian Government enforcement agencies. Indian elephant rescue HSI has a three year MOU with Wildlife SOS India to financially support implementation of their national elephant protection program, aiming at rescuing distressed animals held in circuses across India, with the determination to repair their health to the extent possible and care for them for the rest of their lives. Wildlife SOS India will protect these elephants at their Elephant Conservation and Care Centre.

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HSI Australia has supported the ECCC in India since its inception in 2010. Image: Wildlife SOS Elephant protection in Cameroon HSI’s supports Born Free in a project to protect the fauna of the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary (BMWS) in southwest Cameroon including forest elephants and chimpanzees. One of the key goals of the project is to establish a community-based Elephant Guardian project in the communities most often visited by elephants. The Elephant Guardian project aims to halt elephant poaching at the sanctuary; ensure that forest elephants can move unimpeded and safe from persecution within the greater Korup landscape; and to garner support for conservation and the presence of the sanctuary from the local community. One barrier the project identified for some communities was the human-elephant conflict occurring when elephants raided crops. This was seen as a particular problem in the Tali village where the project constructed two chili fences, each about 50 metres wide, for two farmers, effectively preventing any further conflict from elephants. While elephants continued to visit the area they did not enter and damage the farms. A critical success measure occurred in February 2018, when Tali villagers apprehended two elephant poachers and turned them in to Wildlife officials who arrested them. Wildlife conservation in Thailand HSI is proud continue our support Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, who operate

several projects in the country, including a Wildlife Rescue Centre, Elephant Refuge

and Education Centre, Wildlife Hospital, Forest Restoration and Conservation and a

Gibbon Release and Rehabilitation Program. We have supported the rescue of

elephants and are committed to their lifelong care as they live out their retirement in

sanctuary.

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Financial information

In 2017-18, Humane Society International budgeted for an overspend of approximately

$140,000 financed by a spend-down of reserves to support investment in critical

projects and programs. Audited financial statements are available here:

https://hsi.org.au/uploads/publication_documents/HSI_2018_Annual_Report.pdf

HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL INC DONATIONS FY 2017-2018

Value ($)

Donations and bequests

Grant

Other income

Total income

$2,291,632.90

$200,000

$15,880

$2,507,512.90

Percentage breakdown of the amount expended from your Public Fund during the financial year:

Expenditure from the Public Fund $2,645,161.96 Value (%)

International Conservation and Animal Welfare Projects 20%

Administration

Support Staff

Australian Conservation and Animal Welfare Projects

8%

10%

25%

Campaign/Program Staff 37%

Total 100%

HSI Expenditure 2017/2018

Administration - 8%

Support Staff - 10%

International Conservation and Animal Welfare Projects - 20%

Australian Campaigns and Programs - 25%

Campaign and Program Staff - 37%