Cycling is a popular sport because bikes are less polluting than cars and bike riding is good exercise and a great form of transport. In recent years cycle races have become fashionable, especially for 30-somethings.
Sport needs to show respect for nature
The Tour Down Under is a very large professional cycle race held each year in and around the Adelaide hills in January. It attracts many overseas riders and enthusiastic supporters. But how many of these cycle-sport fans realise that the event is dreaded by wildlife carers in the area because the organisers seem not to take into consideration the impact of hundreds of cyclists, helicopters, police sirens, motor vehicles and screaming fans as they move through roads winding through South Australia's fragile and fragmented bushland with a total impact that recalls the march of armoured tanks?
Wildlife presence clearly signed; why no appropriate planning by council?
The event consists of several races which span over 6 days. Day 2 of the race circuit was around the area of Mylor, Bradbury, Longwood and Stirling. The cyclists travelled along roads which are clearly signed indicating Kangaroos live in the area. The Mylor, Bradbury Longwood section was cycled around 3 times. This is an area where habitat is being eroded in a competition between housing and agriculture. The animals in this area are continually stressed and have no place to run to when the noise of humans and their machines, particularly helicopters, cause them to believe they are under attack.
This charming image of a visiting sports-hero proud to be seen with a baby kangaroo drew unexpected reactions.
A wildlife carer described the experience this year: "Not much to laugh about here. The ‘tour down under’ bike race was hell. The helicopters hovered above my house on and off for 3 hours. The noise terrified the animals I was caring for and obviously disturbed wildlife for tens of kilometers around."
Baby roos trained to wait for mother's return
When mother kangaroos think that the mob is being chased, they deposit their joeys and hop away to attract the threat away from the little kangaroos. Little kangaroos are trained to stay and wait where they are left. When things settle down, the mother kangaroo comes back to get the baby.
Kangaroos panicked; nine joeys missing
The carer told us that, "All the joeys seem to have been separated from their mums in the areas I check. Some of them did not survive. I found a beautiful little joey dead on the main road this morning. A fox had ripped her throat out, then must have dropped her as it crossed the road."
"I am so upset. There are about nine joeys missing from their mums here now."
"This tour down under will be here again next year and this just cannot happen again."
Even Lance Armstrong , the major draw card rider, complained about how low the helicopters were and the trouble the wind they caused made for the cyclists. He also mentioned the continual drone of copters above him during the 4 or 5 hour race.
Mike Turtur designed the race and is the race director.
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