WA’s Whale Sharks

In the waters off  WA’s North West Cape between the months of March and July 2009 there has been a rather unusual number of whale sharks  seen in the area,  these gentle giants can grow between 12 to 18 metres in size. 

This season has been especially good for the whale shark tours operating out of Exmouth and Coral Bay.                       

Ocean Eco Adventures can offer one of the best day tours for whale shark encounters with its own spotter plane.

You can enjoy an encounter with a whale shark snorkelling.  The sharks can be playful with a strong  personalitiy and clear intelligence, they can interact with the swimmers.

The sharks are definitely the stars of the show on these tours and all the crew do offer a high standard of service.  

 

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Relocation to save 80yo tree

Kings Park arboricultural experts and specialist tree contractors have transplanted what is believed to be one of the original Centennial plantings of Red Flowering Gum trees along Fraser Avenue.

Arborist Jeremy Thomas said he believed the transplanting was a world first.

An 80 tonne crane lifted the tree and passed it to a 25 tonne Franna crane that “walked” the tree along Fraser Avenue to its new location. Earth anchors will be attached to the tree for stability while the tree develops new roots.

“I believe this is the first time such a tree of this species, size and age has ever been transplanted. We are quietly confident that this effort to conserve the Corymbia ficifolia which is around 80 years old will be a success,” new location. Earth anchors will be attached to the tree for stability while the tree develops new roots.

The tree stands 13 metres high, has a trunk diameter of almost one metre and a canopy spanning 11 metres in width.

Work to prepare the tree for transplant began a year ago with careful excavation around the root ball to assess root structure and prepare it for relocation.

The tree’s has been moved from the corner Fraser Avenue and the main carpark access road to a location near The Lodge just off the entry to Kings Park.

Last June, the Kings Park team successfully transplanted a 750 year old Boab tree 3200 kilometres from the Kimberley to Kings Park. It is envisaged that following an initial 12 month re-establishment period, this Red Flowering Gum will begin to regain its former splendour.

PERTH www.thewest.com.au

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