|
Threatened
fauna in the national spotlight
Members of the
public, schools and organisations across Australia are urged to join a
nationwide fauna survey to help save Australiaís threatened native
species. The eighth annual Great Australian Marsupial Night Stalk,
investigating the diversity and abundance of marsupials and feral
pests runs from off 1 September to 16 October.
The nationwide
spotlight survey is coordinated by Perth Zoo, where threatened native
species are successfully bred for release into the wild.
Australia's
marsupials are under increasing threat of extinction due to feral
pests and changing land use, with at least 16 marsupial species or sub
species already extinct and a further 55 in serious trouble.
A Night Stalk is
easy and a great family night out. It involves a simple spotlight
survey in your local area, recording the marsupials, other native
animals and feral pests you see on the way. A Night Stalk can be
completed on any night of the six-week program.
Data collected will
be collated and analysed. It will be posted on the
Perth Zoo web site and made available to wildlife and conservation
agencies.
To find out how to become involved in Night Stalk ñ including
information on how to organise a local survey - go to www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/nightstalk
or call (08) 9474 0497.
Funny
little rituals
Carol Smith, Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Specialist
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety condition whereby the sufferer performs
compulsive behaviours in order to ward off anxiety or feel better. The
behaviours may include excessive hand washing, frequent counting in
oneís head, walking in certain ways, or having to touch parts of the
body in a certain order.
The rituals can be most
evident at mealtimes, before bed, whilst getting dressed or going to
the toilet. It is hard to distract a person engaged in a ritual, and
if you try to stop them mid-ritual they usually become upset. Usually
the sufferer knows that what they are thinking is irrational but they
have no sense of control over the rituals.
People with OCD also report
thinking ìtabooî thoughts that they find distressing and
intrusive. For example a young boy may have recurrent thoughts that he
is homosexual, or another may have thoughts about licking the toilet
bowl.
OCD has its origins in
childhood, and often surfaces at about five to seven years old.
Typically children are well behaved, and it may take some time before
parents notice the problem. Indeed, because of the embarrassing and
distressing nature of the problems, sufferers can keep it to
themselves, and it is often called ëthe Secret Problemí.
Early treatment is the best
option. Call Carol on 0407 828 944, or for bookings contact 9328
2064.
|
