Liz Gwynn

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Liz Gwynn

South-east Queensland has fewer than 16,000 koalas left in the wild, and of those experts say 10 per cent will end up in veterinary hospitals each year. Only half who receive hospital care will survive. Australia’s iconic marsupial is up against a chlamydia epidemic, vehicle strikes and dog and feral animal attacks. It's also under threat from the creep of urban development into its habitat. RSPCA Queensland wildlife veterinary director Dr Tim Portas said koala numbers continue to decline.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Liz Gwynn

Gel blasters branded as submachine guns, assault rifles and a "John Wick pistol" are being sold on Facebook Marketplace in Queensland, with claims many are making their way interstate where they are either banned or regulated like other firearms. The ABC has found dozens of listings where some sellers are advertising the item for as little as $50, while others offer a "package deal" that includes a case and pellets for several hundreds of dollars.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Liz Gwynn

Police have shot six people wielding gel blasters in Queensland in the past six years. It's become a national problem — they look identical to handguns, shotguns, and rifles, making it hard even for officers to tell the difference between a toy and a real gun.  Gel blasters themselves don't pose a physical risk, but police say they can be a threat if misused.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Liz Gwynn

Potentially deadly synthetic opioids have been found in vape liquid, as criminals make new varieties to evade detection. Nitazenes are made in a laboratory and are considered up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl, which has caused an unprecedented number of deaths in North America. A new type of nitazene called Protodesnitazene has been detected in Australia for the first time after Queensland police seized the substance several weeks ago.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Liz Gwynn

Melbourne-based 3D printer Kris Paxton was driving a company-branded vehicle when he was approached by a stranger asking about guns. "There was one night when I was picking up my dinner and a car pulled up beside me and a dodgy looking guy came out and asked me about 3D-printed guns," Mr Paxton said. "I said I don't have anything to do with that ...