wildlife matters Issue 37

AWC partnering to save Australia’s endangered wildlife It’s time to reverse the tide of extinctions

The AWC mission

The mission of Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the effective conservation of all Australian animal The recently published United Nations Global Assessment We have also recently announced that the Newhaven species and the habitats in which they report painted a stark picture into the global biodiversity Stage 1 fenced area is now feral predator and herbivore Contents live. crisis – nearly one million species are at risk of extinction free, triggering the finalisation of plans for translocations To achieve this mission our actions are unless radical action is taken. In Australia, we are world of threatened species into the largest feral-free area on focused on: leaders in mammal extinctions; 31 species have gone mainland Australia. 4 Indigenous partnership model extended to Wilinggin country extinct since European settlement, and a further 56 These successes have been achieved through the • Establishing a network of mammal species are threatened with extinction. 10 AWC uncovering wildlife at Bullo River Station sanctuaries which protect dedication of AWC’s team of Ecologists and Land threatened wildlife and This is an appalling record and is simply unacceptable Managers, delivering practical land management 14 Fighting fire with fire to protect the central Kimberley ecosystems. AWC now manages – we are putting at risk our natural capital, what makes programs informed by good science. 29 sanctuaries covering more than Australia unique. We know that the main drivers of this 18 Investing in science to inform conservation Our strategy is clear: 6.5 million hectares (16.1 million extinction crisis in Australia include invasive species 22 Vital research extended to two new sites acres). (particularly feral cats and foxes), inappropriate fire • Deliver science-informed land management; regimes and feral herbivores. 24 Last post for last cat • Implementing practical, on-ground • Construct a network of large-scale fenced areas conservation programs to protect We cannot wait – the time to act is now. to secure the future of threatened species; Endangered species find refuge in Wet Tropics 28 the wildlife at our sanctuaries. The AWC team is reversing the tide of extinctions. Our • Invest in strategic research; and 32 Iconic Bilbies back in NSW national parks These programs include feral innovative model has allowed us to secure populations of animal control, fire management iconic endangered species including the Purple-crowned • Pursue long-term solutions to control key threats to 34 Contract extended at Sydney landmark and the translocation of Fairy-wren, Bilbies, Numbats and the Bridled Nailtail wildlife, such as gene drive technology (in partnership endangered species. with CSIRO). 38 Translocation program set to secure 21 threatened species Wallaby. • Conducting (either alone or in AWC leads the way in new models for conservation. I We continue to do this in a cost-effective manner: 87 42 AWC launches $2 million matching challenge collaboration with other am very pleased to announce the partnership between per cent of your investment is spent where it counts organisations) scientific research the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation and AWC across – in the field. We continue to focus on accountability that will help address the key more than 1.7 million hectares of Wilinggin country in the and measuring the results of your investment with the threats to our native wildlife. Kimberley. Wilinggin Rangers and AWC Ecologists and continued development of performance scorecards that • Hosting visitor programs at our Land Managers will work together to help care for the allow us to monitor and report on the ecological health of sanctuaries for the purposes of country. This, along with the land protected through the our sanctuaries. Dambimangari partnership, spans one of the only areas education and promoting The UN Global Assessment is clear – we must act and awareness of the plight of of Australia to have not suffered any mammal extinctions, we must act now. We can make a difference. With your Australia’s wildlife. protecting rare and endangered species such as the generous support, we can continue to reverse the tide of Golden-backed Tree-rat, Northern Quoll and the Black- About AWC extinctions, and restore Australia’s biodiversity for future footed Tree-rat. generations. AWC is an independent, not-for-profit Significantly, AWC’s model, skills and influence now Tim Allard Cover image: organisation based in Perth, Western extends across more than 4.3 million hectares of the The complex rugged landscape of Wilinggin Australia. Donations to AWC are tax Kimberley region, working with Indigenous groups, country. The view from the 100 meter drop of deductible. Donkins Hill Falls Brad Leue/AWC pastoralists, and governments to deliver effective Over the last 10 years, around 87 per conservation. Chief Executive Australian Wildlife Conservancy cent of AWC’s total expenditure was This follows the announcement of the innovative PO Box 8070 incurred on conservation programs, partnership between AWC and Bullo River Station in PS: Your ongoing support is invaluable. As June 30 Subiaco East WA 6008 including land acquisition, while only the Northern Territory. AWC is delivering science and approaches please consider making a tax-deductible Ph: +61 8 9380 9633 13 per cent was allocated to land management programs to protect the extraordinary donation to AWC as part of the $2 million Matching development (fundraising) and www.australianwildlife.org conservation values of the property (including the Challenge. All eligible donations will be doubled, administration. Gouldian Finch and Wyulda) while Bullo River Station helping AWC accelerate its work to secure the future of continues to operate as a pastoral business. Australia’s endangered wildlife.

3 Ground-breaking Indigenous partnership model extended to help manage Wilinggin country

By Peter McKay, Northwest Regional Operations Manager Photographer Brad Leue

Wilinggin country dominates the central Kimberley plateau Brad Leue/AWC

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Australian Wildlife Conservancy AWC and WAC will now collaborate Grevillea form discrete riparian areas Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (Malurus (AWC) and the Wilinggin Aboriginal in the management of this country, that typify the central plateaus of coronatus coronatus). Corporation (WAC) have entered improving protection of an array of Wilinggin country. The Ngarinyin people are also into an innovative and ambitious threatened species while generating This awe-inspiring country protects custodians of two nationally partnership to work collaboratively sustainable income for WAC and some of Australia’s rarest mammals, significant fish species – the Barnett across 1.73 million hectares of the important socio-economic benefits including the Black-footed Tree- River Gudgeon (Hypseleotris northwest Kimberley, enhancing for Wilinggin Traditional Owners. rat (Mesembriomys gouldii), kimberleyensis) that is only found conservation science and land Wilinggin country dominates the Monjon (Petrogale burbidgei), in the Barnett River system and the management across a massive 4.3 central Kimberley plateau. The Scaly-tailed Possum (Wyulda critically endangered Freshwater million hectare conservation corridor. rugged and expansive sandstone squamicaudata), Golden-backed Sawfish (Pristis microdon). In June 2004, following a struggle of and basalt ranges stand resolute Tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) The WAC-AWC partnership over two decades, the High Court against time – an example of the and the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus of Australia recognised the Wanjina- magnificent landscape cared for hallucatus). For many of these AWC is now working hand-in-hand Wunggurr Community as the by the Ngarinyin people for around species, whose range once extended with Wilinggin to deliver a science and land management program Traditional Owners of the Wanjina- 50,000 years. across northern Australia, this part of across the 1.73 million hectare Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title the Kimberley is their last remaining The major waterways of the collaboration area, consistent with Determination Area. refuge. Drysdale, Hann, King Edward, the Wilinggin Healthy Country Plan. Ngarinyin Traditional Owners Durack, Moran, Roe, Mitchell, Remnant populations of threatened The WAC-AWC partnership was maintain a strong connection to Calder, Isdell, Charnley and and endemic birds that are known itself inspired by the successful Wilinggin country and continue Chamberlain rivers carve through the from, or could potentially occur on Images partnership between AWC and to care for it. Wilinggin Rangers sandstone, revealing the iconic rocky 1. WAC Project Officer Lloyd Nulgit (far left), Wilinggin country include the Black the Dambimangari Aboriginal have been working with Ngarinyin gorges and waterways that are such Wunggurr Rangers and Traditional Owners Grasswren (Amytornis housei), Corporation (DAC) to help manage Kane Nenowatt and Robin Dann together Traditional Owners for over a decade a prominent feature of the northwest with Traditional Owners and Incendiary Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae), 800,000 hectares of Dambimangari to look after the natural and cultural Kimberley. The sandy banks Machine Operators Cassidy Charles, Michael Northern Crested Shrike-tit (Falcun land, adjacent to the Kimberley coast Images values of the Wilinggin Indigenous lined with Melaleuca paperbarks, Nulgit, Tyron Burgu and AWC Regional Fire culus frontatus whitei), Red Goshawk Coordinator Toby Barton prior to the joint 1.The AWC/WAC partnership adds 1.73 million – an area of international significance Protected Area (IPA). Freshwater Pandanus, Ficus and prescribed burning operation Brad Leue/AWC hectares to AWC’s conservation portfolio AWC (Erythrotriorchis radiates) and the for conservation.

6 7 The partnership is the largest • On-the-job training will continue science and land management to be delivered to help build the program AWC is undertaking, and capacity and expertise of brings AWC’s model of management, Wilinggin Rangers and Traditional partnership and collaboration in the Kimberley to 4.3 million hectares. It Owners. In turn, AWC staff will also expands the delivery of AWC’s learn traditional knowledge from prescribed burning program to Wilinggin Rangers; 6.3 million hectares, the biggest • AWC and WAC will work together non-government fire management program in the country. to develop culturally-appropriate and environmentally-sustainable AWC and Wilinggin Rangers will business opportunities, and to collaborate on the development and implementation of annual leverage Government investment activity plans for ‘right way’ burning, in Wilinggin activities; biological surveys, and feral animal • The project will support and weed control. Periodic reporting AWC CEO Tim Allard and WAC Deputy Chair 1. will track key metrics, such as the Wilinggin in protecting cultural Robin Dann heritage (especially sacred density of feral herbivores, the The WAC-AWC partnership is vitally extent of weed infestations, and sites and rock art) by aligning important. It will help protect a further the success of prescribed burning visits to remote areas for land 1.73 million hectares of the northwest regimes. management/science operations Kimberley, enhancing conservation Fire management is a critical with cultural visits involving science and land management across 4.3 million hectares of priority land element of the partnership. Effective Traditional Owners when for conservation in an area that has prescribed burning (which aims operationally feasible to do to replicate Ngarinyin people’s suffered no animal extinctions since so; traditional burning practises and limit European settlement. the scale of late season wildfires) • The project aims to maintain/ It costs AWC just $1 per hectare per protects wildlife habitat and cultural increase populations of annum to protect Wilinggin country. sites, and generates carbon credits threatened species that are which can be sold annually by WAC. Please consider making a tax- 2. 3. known to be on or could deductible gift to AWC in support of In addition to carbon income, the potentially occur on Wilinggin this landmark partnership. project will deliver a range of other land, (e.g., Northern Quoll, 3 socio-economic and conservation outcomes: Gouldian Finch, Kimberley Brush-tailed Phascogale, Brush- • AWC will make an annual tailed Rabbit-rat and Black- contribution to WAC to help strengthen its organisational and footed Tree-rat); governance capacity in order • The project aims to reduce the to ensure that Traditional frequency and extent of late- Owners remain strong custodians season wildfires, to increase of the natural and cultural values of their native title land, which the amount and dispersal of are important to all Australians, long, unburnt vegetation (critical 4. 5. recognising that Wilinggin for wildlife in need of food and Traditional Owners are choosing shelter); and, Images to manage their land in a way 1. Regional Fire Coordinator Toby Barton and Wilinggin Ranger Cassidy Charles • The project will remove feral checking equipment for the planned burn Brad Leue/AWC that protects and enhances 2. Gouldian Finch Wayne Lawler/AWC conservation values; animals and invasive weeds. 3. Purple-crowned Fairy-wren Wayne Lawler/AWC 4. Black-footed Tree-rat Eridani Mulder/AWC 5. Monjon Brad Leue/AWC

8 9 AWC partners with pastoralists to protect threatened wildlife

By Dr Eridani Mulder, Senior Wildlife Ecologist

In the Northern Territory’s remote to run the property as a commercial north-west, embraced by millennia- cattle station alongside a sustainable old sandstone ranges, Australian eco-tourism operation. The Wildlife Conservancy has entered into partnership model has the potential a major new partnership to deliver to catalyse wider application on conservation on pastoral land to help commercial pastoral land. protect the region’s threatened wildlife Uncovering Bullo River’s natural and habitats. treasures AWC, in partnership with long- term AWC supporters, Julian and In the late dry season of 2018, AWC Alexandra Burt, are developing and ecologists set to work on a major, implementing an exciting new model multi-year, biological exploration to deliver land management and to uncover the secrets Bullo River science across one of the country’s Station has been keeping. Equipped most iconic commercial pastoral with remote camera traps, the AWC stations. team completed the first round of systematic scientific surveys at Located 360 kilometres south-west Bullo River. Based on their extensive of Darwin, Bullo River Station covers knowledge of similar ecosystems more than 160,000 hectares of the across northern Australia, the NT that has exceptional conservation ecologists set cameras deep within value. Dissected sandstone plateaux, gorge systems, across refugial sweeping eucalypt savannah paperbark-lined sand seep habitat at woodlands, open grasslands and the the base of ranges, and in protected rich alluvial floodplains of the Victoria patches of long, unburnt vegetation. and Bullo rivers provide vital refuge The initial camera trap surveys for threatened wildlife. Like most of northern Australia, the region is under involved more than 1,000 trap nights threat from wildfires, feral animals and over two short visits. weeds. Now under the ownership Sorting through thousands of of the Burt family, the property is an images captured during the survey, important site for conservation. AWC ecologists were astonished Under the 10-year partnership to discover an exceptionally rare agreement, AWC is contracted to Wyulda (Scaly-tailed Possum). This protect wildlife and improve the record is significant as it represents a ecological health of Bullo River momentous range extension for this Station through the delivery of land species. Until AWC discovered the management and conservation possum living in the upper tributary science. In other words, no donation of Bullo River gorge, Wyulda had dollars are needed for AWC to only ever been recorded in Western manage Bullo River Station for Australia, more than 150 kilometres Bullo River Station, Crater Lake Falls Brad Leue/AWC conservation. The Burt family continue away.

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The possums are consummate will be reinforced by spotlighting prescribed burns at Bullo River. rock-dwellers, easily navigating the surveys and remotely triggered After just two years, the successful rock ledges, vines and vegetation of camera traps. Around 2,000 trap- exclusion of late dry season wildfires vertical cliff walls, using their bare, nights are planned at Bullo River from the station’s open savannahs prehensile tail to hang from branches this year. There has never been a to feed on young leaves, flowers and comprehensive ecological audit is already making a positive impact fruit. Although superficially similar of the property, making AWC’s by increasing the age classes of to the more common Rock Ringtail biological exploration of Bullo River vegetation across the landscape. Possum, which may also occur at even more important. The data we This is generating positive benefits Bullo (and is found sharing habitat collect will enhance our knowledge for wildlife dependent on cover and with Wyulda at AWC’s Artesian of the property’s spectacular seed resources at specific times Range Sanctuary), Wyulda are biodiversity values and help inform of the year, such as the nationally more closely related to the group the ongoing design and delivery of endangered Gouldian Finch, small of possums which includes the our land management activities to mammals and reptiles. The program control feral animals, fire and weeds. Common Brushtail and the Spotted is also boosting pastoral productivity Cuscus. Despite a history of hot, late Delivering effective fire and protecting infrastructure. dry season wildfire in recent years, management the detection of Wyulda provides Under this innovative business Like the rest of northern Australia, encouragement that other remnant model, AWC and the Burt family wildfire is a key threat to biodiversity populations of declining mammal are building a new template for and pastoral productivity in this fauna, such as Golden Bandicoots the delivery of conservation on region. AWC’s Wongalara Wildlife and Black-footed Tree Rats, might commercial pastoral land. It is 2. Images Sanctuary manager Chris Whatley be holding on at Bullo River. here that AWC has an opportunity 1. Bullo River runs through the heart of the property has been delivering fire management Brad Leue/AWC to demonstrate that conservation Setting up this year’s biological at Bullo River Station since 2017 2. The first image of a nationally endangered partnerships can work to survey across the property has Images Gouldian Finch captured on Bullo River Station Brad with the objective of limiting the been sweaty work with AWC’s 1. Bullo River Station owner Julian Burt with Leue/AWC frequency and extent of late season successfully deliver a positive return ecologists establishing 36 permanent AWC Senior Wildlife Ecologist Eridani Mulder, and 3. This camera trap image is the first evidence of wildfires. Now that the 2019 wet on investment for both commercial Ecologist Stella Shipway Brad Leue/AWC Wyulda in the NT AWC pastoralists and Australia’s natural monitoring sites in 33 degrees 2. Bullo River Station is in the remote northwest of 4. A Black-headed Python found in the woodlands season in the north-west has celsius. AWC’s trapping program the Northern Territory. of Bullo River Station Brad Leue/AWC ended, Chris is busy implementing capital.

12 13 Fighting fire with fire to protect the central Kimberley’s threatened wildlife

By Andrew Morton, Senior Field Ecologist

Ben Wooltorton lights up a backburn at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary Melissa Bruton/AWC

14 15 AWC is committed to implementing its award-winning This cross-tenure project incorporates AWC-managed EcoFire program across millions of hectares of the sanctuaries, pastoral stations and Indigenous freehold Kimberley despite government funding being withdrawn. land. All stakeholders are closely involved in the design and delivery of the prescribed burning program, which is This innovative fire management program was the first collaborative effort to control wildfires and limit the massive. For example, throughout March and April 2019, damage caused on a landscape scale in the Kimberley. AWC staff flew 26,052 kilometres in light aircraft and AWC’s neighbours around Mornington came on board in dropped 70,709 incendiaries. 2007. The program rapidly grew into the largest and most AWC’s team of land managers and field ecologists have successful non-government fire management program in been delivering EcoFire for 12 years across more than the country. three million hectares of the central Kimberley. (AWC also Initially funded in part by a West Australian Government delivers ecologically friendly fire management across a and Rangelands NRM grant, this vital program is now further three million hectares of the Kimberley, including wholly funded by AWC through donations after the at Yampi, and together with Dambimangari and Wilinggin government withdrew its funding in 2019. Aboriginal Corporations). Implementing Australia’s largest non-government fire Measuring success management program The success of the project is measured against key fire The central tenet behind EcoFire is to incorporate metrics, such as the percentage of each property burnt Indigenous land management practices with modern in controlled burns compared to late season wildfires, science and technology to deliver large-scale fire and the distance between burnt and unburnt patches of management that generates positive outcomes for vegetation. By applying objective metrics to measure the threatened wildlife. success of EcoFire, AWC can determine whether we are delivering a positive return on investment.The results are Historically, northern Australia’s Indigenous people would 1. exceptional and show that since the inception of EcoFire light fires throughout the year for various purposes, such there has been a clear shift in the seasonality of fires from as hunting (to flush game and provide fresh growth to the late dry season to the early dry season. Wildfires in attract grazing animals), clearing areas to allow transit, the central Kimberley have been reduced by more than and burning to promote desirable plants or protect 50 per cent, delivering benefits for wildlife, for climate important cultural sites. Moving across the landscape, change and for pastoral productivity. they created a mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches. The distance between burnt and unburnt vegetation has The onset of pastoralism in the 1880s, however, resulted also been reduced, making the latter more accessible to in the dispossession of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands. By the mid-1970s, many Indigenous species like the endangered Northern Quoll and Gouldian land management practices had ceased. Finch, improving their chances of survival. The impacts of managing fire are multiplied when feral herbivores are Without people in the landscape intentionally also removed, with the abundance of small mammal managing fire, the patterns quickly changed. The lack populations doubling in just a few years after destocking. of traditional burning across the Kimberley resulted in the accumulation of fuel loads across much of the Catalytic impact landscape. During the build-up season (typically October The catalytic impact of EcoFire, the first and largest to December), ignitions such as lightning strikes, caused collaborative aerial burning program in the Kimberley, intense, large-scale wildfires to occur under hot, dry has also been significant. Several programs now use conditions. These high-intensity fires burnt vast areas (in methodologies informed by EcoFire, and it has evolved the order of millions of hectares) every one to three years, from individuals managing fire on their own property killing trees and changing the composition of vegetation – or not managing fires at all – to virtually the entire 2. 3. communities. The restructuring of the landscape in this Kimberley implementing some sort of early dry-season way, coupled with introduced herbivores and the invasion fire management program. of feral cats, have driven the decline of many small native Images animals. The changed fire regime has also reduced EcoFire is strengthening the central Kimberley 1. Cool and patchy early season burns like this minimise vast and destructive wildfires community, facilitating cooperation between land Please support Ecofire and help save the in the Kimberley. Nick Rains/AWC pastoral productivity. managers to tackle any wildfires that do start, and Kimberley’s threatened wildlife. 2. EcoFire distance to vegetation unburnt for three years in 2006 (Fire scar data EcoFire aims to reduce the size, intensity and frequency supplied by North Australian Fire Information) inspiring the inaugural Kimberley Regional Fire Training of fire by shifting its seasonality from the late dry season $20 will support the delivery of fire 3. EcoFire distance to vegetation unburnt for three years in 2018 (Fire scar data and Knowledge Exchange hosted by AWC at Mornington – when it is most damaging – to the cooler, early dry supplied by North Australian Fire Information) Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018. management across 100 hectares of the season when fire is mostly benign. This way, unburnt central Kimberley (20 cents per hectare). vegetation, especially long unburnt vegetation, is more For more than a decade, EcoFire has helped to change accessible to the native animals that depend upon it fire patterns and restore biodiversity across a vast area for food and shelter. It helps small mammals to hide of the central Kimberley. With your support, AWC will from feral cats and ensures that seeds from a range of continue to deliver EcoFire and build on the exceptional grasses are available for animals, such as the nationally- returns that this program is generating for the central threatened Gouldian Finch, that depend on that diversity. Kimberley’s threatened wildlife.

16 17 Investing in science to inform conservation management

By Dr John Kanowski, Chief Science Officer, and Dr Liana Joseph, National Science Manager

Our world is precious. Nature is under threat. Species are baseline data are collected to enable us to measure the disappearing, along with their intricate interactions. We impact of our actions over time. must do something! What can we do? A great deal of thought goes into the development of These are the thoughts, feelings and sense of connection the plans that underpin this work. Ecologists draw on that motivate us to conserve wildlife. But what should we conceptual models of interactions between species, their do? Where should we start? Which species most need habitats and threatening processes to determine which our assistance? These questions go to the role of science species, habitats and threats should be the focus of in conservation. Our heads, as well as our hearts, must monitoring activity [Fig. 1]. Surveys are then designed to be engaged for conservation to be effective. obtain the required information – considerations include One of the distinguishing features of AWC is the scale the number of sites and their distribution (by habitat and of our investment in science. AWC currently employs space) across a property, the intensity of surveys at a more than 50 professional field ecologists, including site, the frequency of surveys, and what sort of methods 24 with PhDs. Across the continent, we undertake the and equipment should be used. Ecologists draw on most extensive biodiversity survey program in Australia, their experience, analysis of existing data, the literature involving more than 220,000 trap nights every year. Our and discussions with peers to determine optimal survey internship program provides intensive training in fieldwork design and allocation of effort. Over time, as data is for eight to 10 ecology honours graduates every year. accumulated, the optimal design is refined. Technological We collaborate with external researchers from most advancements also change the equation. The Australian universities, CSIRO and some international development of remotely-triggered cameras has allowed research groups. AWC to greatly increase survey effort for small-medium sized mammals across remote landscapes whereas such The purpose of AWC’s science program is fundamentally surveys once relied on live-trapping, which is labour- simple – to provide information to make our conservation intensive and limited to a few sites at any time. activities more effective. The primary purpose of EcoHealth monitoring is to Monitoring for EcoHealth provide AWC ecologists and managers with information On new properties, our ecologists conduct inventories on the status and trends of key species and threats. to find out what species are present. This is the fun stuff, Armed with this knowledge, managers can make choosing a promising-looking location on Google Earth, informed decisions about whether to intervene in a and dropping in by foot, 4WD, boat or helicopter to system and how best to direct resources, such as to conduct a survey. As we go to press, we are conducting increase predator control if populations of threatened inventories on Bullo River Station, where our ecologists mammals are in decline. Determining whether changes have recorded the Wyulda (Scaly-tailed Possum) for the observed in monitoring programs are of conservation first time ever in the Northern Territory. Other inventory concern however, can be challenging – particularly in the work is being conducted on our new partnership boom-bust conditions that prevail over much of Australia programs in the Kimberley: Dambimangari and Wilinggin where species undergo large variations in abundance in lands. response to environmental conditions. Once we have established a reasonable inventory of At AWC’s Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Kimberley, species present on a property, we implement EcoHealth populations of small mammals have gone through two monitoring to track the status and trend of key species, cycles of boom and bust in the past 15 years [Fig. 2]. With Senior Field Ecologist Chantelle Jackson checking traps Brad Leue/AWC as well as threats to those species. Where feasible, such large natural variations in abundance, it is difficult

18 19 1. Fig. 3. Overview of AWC’s science program

Figure. 1. Conceptual model of interactions between conservation assets (species, guilds, ecosystems) and threats in Australia’s northern savannas. Source: Kanowski et al. (2018). to discern any underlying signal. AWC’s monitoring • research attempting to train Northern Quolls to avoid program in the Kimberley has been designed to tease eating cane toads currently invading the Kimberley, out the impacts of AWC’s conservation management using the concept of ‘conditioned taste aversion’. from underlying natural cycles. Survey sites have been All AWC’s research projects are aimed at improving stratified by grazing history, among other factors; our the conservation of our wildlife and their habitats. survey data shows that small mammals on Mornington One of AWC’s strengths is our capacity to integrate have responded positively to destocking across all science and land management – for example, in the phases of the cycle. This information, coupled with feral predator ecology project, AWC’s land managers targeted research on the ecology of small mammals, feral conduct fox baiting, while AWC ecologists monitor cats and fire, has led to a deeper understanding of the the density and movements of feral cats and foxes. factors driving mammal decline in northern Australia. As The diagram above illustrates the main components of a result, AWC has sharpened its focus on the effective AWC’s science program, and the links between them management of introduced herbivores and fire, to better [Fig. 3]. Importantly, as shown in the diagram, expertise conserve mammal populations. in conservation management is held by both ecologists A third major area of activity for AWC’s science program and land management staff, who work together to is applied conservation research. At present, AWC staff devise conservation strategies on AWC properties. are participating in 40 active research projects. Major Land management staff generally implement fire, weed research themes include the ecology of threatened and feral animal control, while the ecologists are tasked wildlife, and how to best implement management to with conducting inventory, monitoring and research, as improve the conservation of threatened wildlife. Some described above. current projects include; The purpose of our work is to improve our knowledge of the remarkable biodiversity we protect and ensure we are • studies of the response of native plants and animals, efficiently and effectively protecting the native species and and ecological processes, to the reintroduction of the natural world that we are a part of, have responsibility locally-extinct mammals to fenced areas on AWC’s for, and care about. The integration of science with land sanctuaries; management at AWC means that science informs our • research on the ecology of feral cats and foxes, and on-ground actions, enables us to measure our progress, Figure. 2. Small mammal abundance on Mornington, 2004-15, at sites stratified by grazing. Native mammals varied widely in abundance on a multi- their response to control, aimed ultimately at continuously refine our approach and direct resources to year cycle, but were more abundant on destocked sites at all times. AWC unpublished data. facilitating the safe release of threatened mammals where we can generate the most positive conservation outside fenced areas; and outcomes.

Image 1. Nicole Palmer, Senior Field Ecologist, setting traps during a translocation AWC 20 21 Innovative feral cat and fox research extended to two new sites

By Dr Andrew Carter, Wildlife Ecologist, and Dr David Roshier, Regional Senior Ecologist (Research)

Since 2015, AWC ecologists at encounter rates with cameras, and control (for cats, these methods Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary have individual identity of photographed are still in development) and having been undertaking one of the most animals. When combined with reliable methods for estimating the important research projects in analysis of images from monthly population density of feral predators Australia on the ecology of feral cats camera-trap surveys, these data (the current focus of AWC’s research and foxes ‘beyond the fence’. Now have facilitated robust estimates of at Scotia). this research is being extended to population density of foxes at Scotia the Pilliga and Mt Gibson Wildlife (on average, eight foxes per 10,000 Expanding the research Sanctuary. hectares). AWC’s efforts are now The research at Scotia is now focused on estimating the density For three years the AWC team at expanding in scope to include of feral cats, although this is more Scotia has been undertaking this fieldwork on two other sites – at challenging as cats have been more 1. research in a bid to help us manage the Pilliga project site in New South nomadic at Scotia than foxes during foxes and feral cats more effectively Wales, and at AWC’s Mt Gibson the period of the research project. in open (unfenced) landscapes. Wildlife Sanctuary in Western These predators kill more than 2,000 Phase 2: Examining the response of Australia. animals every minute in Australia. foxes and feral cats to fox control The research at the Pilliga involves While there is no existing strategy In October 2017 fox control was the deployment of an array of or technology that can provide implemented in the experimental camera traps across 15,000 an effective control nationwide, study area at Scotia for the first time hectares. Feral cats and foxes fenced predator-free areas, like at in more than five years. Nine foxes will be caught in this area during Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, offer an fitted with GPS collars were present winter 2019 and fitted with GPS immediate and permanent refuge for in the study area when fox baiting collars to track their movements threatened wildlife. AWC manages commenced, and within one month, the largest cat and fox-free areas on and monitor the effectiveness of eight of those nine foxes were dead. mainland Australia, but even at the predator control activities. One cat, As baiting removed all except one scale built by AWC, these fenced trapped in late 2018, has already of the collared foxes, estimates safe-havens still only cover a small travelled more than 170 kilometres of fox density, for this period, will proportion of Australia’s landscape. across the region. This research will need a different methodology that provide crucial insights into how AWC’s research project incorporates does not require individual foxes to the findings from Scotia relate to four linked phases, with the ultimate be identified in photographs. Work other environments. Importantly, it goal being to identify whether the is continuing on developing this will help to refine the methodology 2. density of cats and foxes can be method, with results likely to be for calculating population density suppressed (in the absence of a available in the second half of 2019. estimates of feral cats and foxes – fence) to levels that are low enough Phase 3: Examining the response something that, until now, has not to permit native mammals to of foxes and feral cats to integrated been possible to achieve in Australia. increase, or in the case of regionally fox and cat control Images extinct species, to allow them to re- Ultimately, this research will enable 1. Collaring feral cats allows Dr Andrew Carter and the AWC team to learn more about the animals’ behaviours and range AWC establish self-sustaining populations. Implementation of this phase of the AWC and others to measure and project will be dependent on AWC 2. The yellow line is made up of dots that show where a female cat travelled in the Pilliga, covering hundreds of kilometres AWC Phase 1: Developing reliable improve the effectiveness of feral obtaining regulatory approval for estimates of the density of foxes predator control at a landscape scale deployment of cat baits in NSW. and feral cats for the benefit of Australia’s native Phase 4: Reintroducing threatened wildlife. Since October 2015, AWC has fitted mammals ‘beyond the fence’ At Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, Please support AWC’s ground-breaking research for controlling feral predators ‘beyond the fence.’ 28 foxes and 30 cats with GPS collars outside the conservation Progressing to this phase will be cameras will be deployed across $150 will purchase a cage trap for catching feral cats and foxes fence at Scotia. These collars dependent on our ability to maintain 12,000 hectares to monitor changes $500 will fund a scientist delivering research in the field for one day have collectively yielded more fox and cat populations at low in predator densities in response to than 200,000 location data points. densities for an extended period of control measures, with the aim of $4,000 will help purchase a GPS collar for essential scientific research The telemetry data have enabled time, hence the importance of having facilitating the reintroduction of the estimation of home-range size, an effective means of feral predator Western Quoll and Brushtail Possum.

22 23 Last post for last cat

By Dr Danae Moore, Wildlife Ecologist, Dr Rachael Collett, Wildlife Ecologist, and Josef Schofield, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary Manager

AWC’s landmark project to restore threatened and Benedict were able to build up a picture of mammals at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary has individual cat movements and patterns of behavior, reached a milestone, with the eradication of all and this information was supplemented by a vast feral predators from the Stage 1 fenced area. This array of motion-sensor camera traps. major accomplishment paves the way for the first As the eradication progressed, this unique mammal reintroductions, scheduled to commence combination of skills was used to pinpoint the later in 2019. remaining cats. They worked consistently for 314 It has taken a lot of work to get to this point. In days and finally, on 4 December 2018, the last feral March 2018, the main gate to the 9,400 hectare cat was caught: a female weighing more than 2 feral-proof area at Newhaven was closed, marking kilograms. the completion of construction work on the 44 It was a remarkably effective operation which kilometre, feral predator-proof fence. At over 1.8 made use of traditional hunting techniques and the metres high – and consisting of 9,000 posts, 18,000 support rods and 135 kilometres of wire latest technology. Less than 12 months after the netting – this fence is a major piece of Australia’s fence was completed, this mammoth undertaking conservation infrastructure. has now created mainland Australia’s largest feral predator-proof area. Next came the formidable task of eradicating feral animals – including feral cats, foxes and rabbits – January 2019 marked the beginning of an intensive from within the fenced area. The scale of the job monitoring period, designed to confirm the feral- called for an expert on-ground team, who between free status of the Stage 1 area. Over the four them brought a wealth of diverse trapping and months since, 100 kilometres of tracking on four tracking experience. Starting two months before consecutive mornings every two weeks has been construction on the fence was completed, our two conducted. Additionally, data from 139 infrared professional feral animal control officers, Murray cameras has been collected and analysed. Schofield and Liam Orrock, worked in tandem with Intensive monitoring has shown no sign of any AWC’s Newhaven Warlpiri Rangers – Christine Ellis, cats remaining within Stage 1 for several months, Alice Henwood and Benedict Mosquito – to clear enabling us to declare the area feral predator-free. the Stage 1 area of feral cats. At 9,400 hectares, Newhaven is now the largest Benedict, Christine and Alice are exceptional feral predator-free area on mainland Australia. trackers with decades of experience tracking cats AWC manages more cat and fox-free land on in Newhaven and the surrounding region. Their mainland Australia than any other organisation. This approach is to follow fresh tracks, continuing includes Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, which until now, their pursuit in some instances for many hours, at 8,000 hectares, held the title of being the largest until the cat tires and can be caught. Murray and cat and fox-free area on mainland Australia. With Liam used complementary techniques, carefully Newhaven declared feral predator-free, AWC is setting soft-jaw and cage traps, and laying baits. now working on an ambitious program to restore at AWC Land Management Officer Duncan Jungala Gallagher and Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary Manager Josef Schofield at one section of the 44km fence Wayne Lawler/AWC Their efforts were strategically targeted, informed least ten threatened mammals that have been lost by the rangers’ tracking work. Alice, Christine to central Australia back to Newhaven.

24 25 Three species are proposed for reintroduction to work at Mallee Cliffs National Park), Alice Springs Newhaven in 2019 – Mala, Red-tailed Phascogale Desert Park, and Zoos South Australia. As well as and Numbat. Mala are extinct outside fenced areas providing phascogales for the reintroduction project on the mainland, while both Red-tailed Phascogale at Newhaven, animals from the captive breeding and Numbat have been lost from more than 99 program may be used to further supplement Mt percent of their historic range and have completely Gibson’s Red-tailed Phascogale population; and to disappeared from the Northern Territory. contribute to a second captive breeding program A small population of Mala has already been at Monarto Zoo, to help establish a population at established at Newhaven (within a smaller, Mallee Cliffs National Park in New South Wales. purpose-built 150-hectare fenced area), following The third species scheduled for reintroduction to an emergency translocation from Watarrka in Newhaven in 2019 is the Numbat. AWC already late 2017. This population was supplemented in protects 50 per cent of the total population of this 2018 with animals from an insurance population nationally endangered species within our existing maintained at AWC’s Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary. network of predator-free havens. AWC plans to transfer the remaining Mala from Scotia in 2019, if conditions on Newhaven are Newhaven represents the northern known limit of considered adequate to support translocating the Numbat’s historical distribution, prior to the animals (like much of Australia, the sanctuary is decimation wrought by feral predators. Numbats currently experiencing a drought). would be sourced initially from the captive population at Perth Zoo and from wild animals Red-tailed Phascogales are a small, insectivorous at AWC’s Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary. Rigorous partly arboreal marsupial that once occurred monitoring following the translocation will track throughout most of arid and semi-arid Australia, 1. including the deserts of Central Australia. Predation survival, home range and habitat preferences of by feral cats and foxes, combined with loss of Numbats in this arid environment. habitat, caused the species to contract to a Reaching this important milestone means AWC few remnant woodlands in the West Australian is on track to restore some of Australia’s most wheatbelt. threatened mammals to central Australia. With the AWC has conducted a series of successful first translocations kicking off this year, Newhaven translocations of Red-tailed Phascogales to Mt will soon be home to a diversity and abundance Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Australia, of wildlife approaching that which existed prior to where the reintroduced population is becoming the arrival of Europeans. As reintroductions into established. In May 2019, AWC ecologists Stage 1 proceeds, AWC is beginning initial planning translocated 20 Red-tailed Phascogales from wild for Stage 2. Projected to encompass a massive populations in the WA wheatbelt to Mt Gibson. 100,000 hectares, this ambitious project will be Another 20 phascogales were flown to Alice the largest feral cat eradication on the planet and Springs, in the Northern Territory, to supplement a is ultimately expected to see the populations of captive breeding program at Alice Springs Desert at least 5 threatened Australian animal species Park. The captive population will ultimately become doubled. a source for reintroductions into Newhaven when Newhaven Feral Animal Eradication Report Card conditions are suitable. Effort Phascogales will be released into woodland • 5,338 soft-jaw trap nights 2. 3. habitat within the Stage 1 fenced area, in an area containing old, hollow-bearing bloodwoods. • 100 hours spent tracking cats Images Across central Australia, many of these old trees • 154 kilometres walked tracking cats 1. Red-tailed Phascogale Brad Leue/AWC have been lost due to changed fire regimes. The • 139 infra-red cameras deployed 2. AWC Animal Control Officer Murray Schofield with the • 10 x 1080 meat baits laid for foxes last cat that was inside the feral predator-proof fence phascogales will also be provided with nest-boxes, David Fraser/AWC to increase the number of available nesting sites • 120 kilograms of 1080 baited oats laid for 3. Red-tailed Phascogales were once widespread and facilitate post-release monitoring. rabbits throughout western and central Australia AWC’s current and upcoming work with the Results Red-tailed Phascogale represents a collaborative • 46 cats removed Return Red-tailed Phascogales to central Australia | $1,500 will pay for the return of 1 Red-tailed effort towards the conservation of the species, • All rabbits eradicated Phascogale to Newhaven and involves the West Australian Government, • 2 foxes removed AWC will be translocating Red-tailed Phascogales to the newly constructed feral predator-free area in 2019. Your New South Wales Government (through our • 9,400 hectares declared feral predator-free gift will return one Red-tailed Phascogale to Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, including captive breeding, veterinary services, transport and monitoring.

26 27 Endangered Northern Bettongs find refuge in Wet Tropics

By Dr John Kanowski, Chief Science Officer, and Jessica Koleck, Wildlife Ecologist

Australian Wildlife Conservancy Across the continent, predation by together with Queensland Parks and feral cats, changed fire regimes and Wildlife Service (QPWS) are forging habitat degradation caused by feral an exciting alliance to implement a herbivores have driven bettongs to monitoring and research program the brink of extinction. So much so aimed at protecting Australia’s that the Northern Bettong is now natural treasures across three considered one of the 20 mammal national parks in north Queensland’s species most likely to go extinct in Wet Tropics Heritage Area. Mt the next 20 years. Recent surveys Windsor, Mt Spurgeon and Mt Lewis indicate the largest of the remaining National Parks, and AWC’s adjacent populations, in the Lamb Range near Brooklyn Wildlife Sanctuary, are Cairns, supports fewer than 1,000 known hotspots for biodiversity. individuals. The program, which commenced in Northern Bettongs are a keystone 2017, is revealing crucial information species, delivering important about the survival of keystone ecosystem services in the forest species like the Northern Bettong and woodland habitats they (Bettongia tropica). occupy. Eating and dispersing a huge diversity of ectomycorrhizal Priority species, which play a vital fungi, they are essential for tree role in maintaining forest health, are health. Their loss spells tragedy for the focus of particular attention for conservation and imputes long- this innovative initiative between term negative consequences for the AWC and QPWS. ecological communities of which Northern Bettongs once ranged they are part. across a vast area, from central Almost all previous research on the Queensland to the Wet Tropics Northern Bettong has focused on of northern Queensland. Since populations in the Lamb Range, European settlement, however, with very little known about the populations of this small marsupial other remaining population in Mt have undergone a catastrophic Lewis and Mt Spurgeon National decline and, in the last few decades, Parks. Historically, Northern have disappeared from most of their Bettongs also occurred on Mt former range. In fact, two of the last Windsor National Park, but there four remaining populations have have been no records since 2003. Northern Bettong Wayne Lawler/AWC vanished in the last 15 years. Extensive camera surveys of Mt

28 29 Windsor, conducted by AWC and QPWS across 98 These collars recorded the location of bettongs every sites in 2018, did not detect a single Northern Bettong, 20 minutes throughout the night for an entire month. suggesting that the Mt Windsor population is now Data collected from the collars is now being analysed. locally extinct. AWC surveys in the Wet Tropics have also targeted the Fortunately, a population of the species has persisted occurrence and behaviour of feral cats. Camera studies across Mt Lewis and Mt Spurgeon National Parks. revealed feral cats frequented waterholes and utilised Camera trapping by AWC and QPWS has detected the Northern Bettong at 39 of 230 sites over only 1,500 dry creek beds. They avoided roads, perhaps because hectares. of the large number of dingoes that seem to prefer using them. Surveys detected feral cats at a much Trapping surveys conducted by AWC, with the higher frequency at Mt Windsor (where the population assistance of QPWS and the Traditional Owners, of Northern Bettongs appears to have gone locally Western Yalanji Aboriginal Cooperation, resulted in the capture of 13 individual Bettongs. Traps covered one extinct) than at Mt Lewis and Mt Spurgeon. third of the site and the results suggest the population Feral herbivores, such as cattle, have adversely is small, perhaps only 50 individuals. Genetic impacted Northern Bettong habitat on Mt Lewis and Mt samples were collected to help determine whether Spurgeon. Cattle have trampled and eroded sensitive the population is maintaining genetic diversity which plants and heavily grazed the grassy understory. risks being lost when populations are small due to genetic drift and in-breeding. Baseline health and body Northern Bettongs rest during the day in clumps of condition assessments were also conducted. grass, mainly Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), and they feed on the tubers of Cockatoo Grass (Alloteropsis One of the known threats to the Northern Bettong is semialata) during the dry season. Cattle reduce the loss of habitat through inappropriate fire regimes. Fire suppression has led to an invasion of rainforest plants availability of both food and shelter for bettongs. They and weeds and the loss of a grassy understory. QPWS, also reduce grassy fuel loads, making it difficult for which has been managing fire in the area, successfully managers to successfully implement fire management. burnt an area of forest that had been subject to QPWS and Western Yalanji are installing a block fence thickening in December 2017. No Northern Bettongs to reduce the impact of grazing by cattle who wander were detected in this area before the fire. However, over from neighbouring pastoral stations. seven months afterwards, as small patches of grass began to reappear, AWC’s surveys detected Northern By joining forces, AWC and QPWS have successfully Bettongs at a number of sites. These results show confirmed the presence of the Northern Bettong at Northern Bettongs have recolonised these formerly Mt Lewis and Mt Spurgeon, and have improved our degraded habitats – an essential step in conserving this knowledge about the key threats to their survival. The small, restricted population. data gathered from this project is providing crucial AWC ecologists have deployed GPS collars on eight guidance about the land management actions that Northern Bettongs to track their movements and must be implemented in order to effectively secure the provide crucial data on home range and habitat use. future of this keystone marsupial for all Australians.

This project is supported by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Senior Field Ecologist Andrew Howe measures the tail of a Northern Bettong AWC

30 31 Iconic Bilbies return to New South Wales National Parks

By Dr Rod Kavanagh, Senior Ecologist

A remarkable milestone was reached in December logs and other fallen timber. The landscape has been 2018 when, as part of the NSW Government’s Saving quickly transformed by small foraging pits and burrows Our Species program, AWC restored Bilbies to a NSW – the Bilbies living up to their moniker of ‘ecological National Park, more than a century after going locally engineers.’ extinct. Their return to the public estate is a powerful This frenetic activity by our native diggers has not been demonstration of our ability to turn back the tide of seen in a national park for more than 100 years. Bilbies extinctions in Australia. Now, early monitoring results were last seen in NSW in 1912. Once widespread indicate that these iconic Australian mammals are across much of Australia, predation by feral cats and adapting to their new environment. foxes and competition with feral herbivores, like rabbits, The first ever translocation of locally extinct Greater have seen Bilby populations collapse. Bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) to the Pilliga forests of NSW AWC’s network of fenced safe-havens, now protect involved the release of sixty Bilbies (28 males, 32 15 per cent of the global population of Bilbies and are females) into a specially-constructed fenced area, providing important source populations of Bilbies for safely tucked into the 5,800 hectare feral predator-free rewilding efforts, like this one in the Pilliga. To highlight zone. Half of the Bilbies were sourced from AWC’s the significance of this initiative, the Bilby population Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary with the remainder coming in the Pilliga is projected to grow to an estimated 850 from Thistle Island, off the coast of South Australia. animals – equivalent to almost 10 per cent of the current Geneticists from the University of Sydney confirmed this Australian population. mix of source populations would deliver the best genetic diversity in the new Pilliga population. Returning extinct mammals to NSW National Parks All 60 Bilbies were fitted with uniquely numbered Our historic partnership with the NSW Government microchips to allow for individual identification and will see at least five other regionally extinct mammals VHF radio-transmitters were attached to the tails of reintroduced to the Pilliga in the next two to three 35 animals (21 males, 14 females) so their survival, years, making it one of the nation’s most important movements and behaviour could be monitored in endangered species projects. The five animals are the the weeks immediately following release. A subset of Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, Brush-tailed Bettong, Western Bilbies also received detailed health examinations by a Barred Bandicoot, Plains Mouse and Western Quoll. veterinary team from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. The feral predator proof fence will also protect extant mammals including the Eastern Pygmy Possum and As dusk fell, each Bilby was safely released into the Pilliga Mouse, and threatened bird species including fenced predator-free area. AWC ecologists have since Bush Stone Curlew and Speckled Warbler. been monitoring their progress through a combination of spotlighting, trapping and remote cameras. Seven Next steps: building a field-operations base Bilbies were recently detected by spotlighting, and The NSW Government is investing over $40 million as a further four were trapped over four nights. Despite part of the Saving our Species program to establish prevailing hot and dry conditions, all the recaptured three predator-proof fenced areas, two of which are animals had put on weight and were in good condition. being developed and managed by AWC. Under the partnership model, the Government is contracting Among the animals trapped during the survey was a AWC to establish large feral predator-free havens at new female Bilby that was possibly a pouch young at Mallee Cliffs and the Pilliga, as well as to implement a time of release, the first recorded in a NSW national framework for measuring ecological health and deliver Bilbies were released into a feral predator-free area in the Pilliga in December 2018, more park in more than 100 years. than a century after the species were last spotted in the wild in NSW Brad Leue/AWC conservation land management at each national park. The Bilbies have settled well into their new environment, As our contribution to the partnership, AWC is now within days each digging a burrow (up to three metres focused on constructing a dedicated field-operations We need your help to construct a field-operations base for AWC staff in deep) in the sandy soil. Interestingly, most burrows base for AWC staff working on-site. This on-ground the Pilliga. $500 will help purchase building supplies. were initially dug in open clearings similar to those used infrastructure is critical for building on our capacity to at the less-forested source locations (Scotia, Thistle deliver a world-class science program (AWC undertakes Please make a tax deductible donation to help save endangered Island). However, it became evident that the Bilbies 15,000 trap nights every year in the Pilliga) and practical mammals and roll out this exciting new model for conservation. soon became more selective with regard to where they land management services, such as feral animal control, dug burrows, choosing locations such as under large across 35,000 hectares of the Pilliga.

32 33 Strategic partnership at North Head extended to 2022

by Dr Viyanna Leo, Wildlife Ecologist

Located in Sydney Harbour, North assemblage in forests of south-east Head is a site of high ecological and south-west Australia. Bush Rats value. It protects a range of were reintroduced to North Head threatened plant and animal species in conjunction with the removal of including an important population black rats (Rattus rattus), an invasive of the Long-nosed Bandicoot species which has replaced native (Perameles nasuta) and a significant rodents in much of the remnant remnant of the critically endangered vegetation around Sydney. The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. successful establishment of Bush At North Head, Australian Wildlife Rats will assist in reducing black rat Conservancy works in partnership numbers across the headland and with Sydney Harbour Federation benefit other small mammal species Trust (SHFT), which manages the being reintroduced. area, to deliver a suite of science Results from AWC’s monitoring projects that protect and enhance program indicate that the conservation values. AWC has reintroduction of Bush Rats has provided scientific services to been very successful. At monitoring SHFT since 2009 and, in 2013, sites, Bush Rats now significantly agreed on a program of biodiversity out number black rats, indicating conservation and restoration at that Bush Rats can successfully North Head. In 2018, this agreement defend territories and out compete was extended to 2022, indicative the invasive species. In addition, of a successful and productive Bush Rats are now detected partnership. across the headland, showing that Like much of Sydney, North Head the population has successfully has lost a suite of native species expanded from the original release since European settlement. AWC’s sites. work at North Head focuses on the conservation of the extant native The Eastern Pygmy Possum is a biota (plants and animals) as well tiny nocturnal marsupial that is an as the reintroduction of locally important pollinator of Banksias and extinct species. To date, three other native flowering plants. It is small native mammal species have listed as vulnerable in NSW due to been reintroduced to North Head: habitat loss, predation by foxes and the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes), feral cats, and changing fire patterns. Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus Due to these threats, the Eastern nanus) and Brown Antechinus Pygmy Possum has become locally (Antechinus stuartii).The Bush Rat extinct from some areas, including North Head AWC is an important part of the faunal North Head.

34 35 1. 1.

From 2016 to 2018, AWC Radio-tracking showed high survival reintroduced 25 Eastern Pygmy of reintroduced individuals, however, Possums to North Head. Monitoring Brown Antechinus have been difficult has shown that the species is to detect in subsequent monitoring becoming established at North surveys. Occasional records show the Head with successful breeding and species is persisting and breeding on establishment of young. However, the number of recaptures is still very North Head. However, as the Brown low and, for this reason, AWC plans Antechinus has a high annual mortality to supplement the population until rate (all males die after the breeding it is firmly established. AWC has season, and females are also relatively proposed sourcing an additional short-lived), AWC intends to continue 30 individuals of the species from a supplementation of this species until number of regional national parks and establishment of the population on state forests. The proposed influx of North Head can be demonstrated. new individuals sourced from different populations will contribute towards Through the reintroduction of these the establishment of a genetically 2. 2.2. three species, AWC has increased the diverse population on North Head. native mammal assemblage on the The Brown Antechinus, a small headland from five to eight species. dasyurid, is the third native mammal These wildlife reintroductions are that AWC has reintroduced to North helping to restore the ecological role Head. This semi-arboreal, carnivorous of pollination undertaken by small marsupial feeds on invertebrates as native mammals on North Head and well as being an important pollinator, Images Images and like other small mammals is 1. Native Bush Rats now outnumber invasive 1.Dr Viyanna Leo checks a funnel trap for in doing so, secure the future of the black rats at North Head Charles Thomas/AWC reptiles Charles Thomas/AWC vulnerable to feral predators. A endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia 2. Wildlife ecologists measure the hind foot of 2. Viyanna Leo and AWC Intern Mareshell Scrub community as well as the native total of 34 Brown Antechinus were the Bush Rat Charles Thomas/AWC Wauchope place a funnel trap Charles reintroduced to the headland in 2017. Thomas/AWC wildlife that find refuge there.

36 37 Translocation program set to secure the future of 21 threatened species

By Dr John Kanowski, Chief Science Officer

Australian Wildlife Conservancy Bilby (Macrotis lagotis), Numbat similarly ambitious, multi-species is a leader in the reintroduction of (Myrmecobius fasciatus) and Bridled projects planned for Pilliga, Mallee threatened mammals to secure, Nailtail Wallaby (Onychogalea Cliffs and Newhaven. feral predator-free areas. To date, fraenata), still persist in the wild, but Halting and restoring Australia’s AWC’s reintroduction program has in a fraction of their former range. lost biodiversity resulted in the establishment of The extinction and decline of secure populations of 11 species AWC’s reintroduction programs are mammals within the critical weight of threatened mammals across a successfully restoring populations range represents a shocking total of five feral predator-free areas of native mammals that are most degradation of Australia’s biological (Faure Island, WA, and four fenced vulnerable to predation by feral riches and has resulted in the areas – Karakamia, Mt Gibson, cats and foxes. For example, AWC decay of long-standing ecological Yookamurra and Scotia). A further sanctuaries currently support secure processes. Many small to medium- three fenced areas – at Newhaven, populations of six of the 12 species Pilliga and Mallee Cliffs – are on sized native mammals are of Australian mammals considered target to become fully operational ‘ecosystem engineers,’ digging deep ‘extremely vulnerable’ to feral cats in 2019. Together with the existing pits when foraging and burrows for and foxes (Radford et al. 2018), program, reintroductions of locally- resting. These diggings help retain with a seventh species – the Central extinct mammals to the new sites are precious surface water and nutrients Rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) expected to secure populations of in semi-arid ecosystems. In addition, – proposed for reintroduction 21 species of threatened mammals the foraging activities of native to AWC’s Newhaven project. In by 2023. mammals affects the abundance of addition, AWC’s reintroduction soil and leaf litter invertebrates, the program currently supports secure Predation by feral cats and foxes fate of seeds and the recruitment of populations of nine of the 51 is the primary cause of extinction plants. The loss of native mammals, species of Australian mammals of small to medium-sized native such as the Bilby and Numbat, considered ‘highly vulnerable’ to feral mammals. Many mammal species in therefore constitutes a loss of cats and foxes, with another four the ‘critical weight range’– between ecosystem integrity. Trees and species – Western Quoll (Dasyurus 35 grams (the size of a native rodent) shrubs may persist in the landscape, geoffroii), Golden Bandicoot to 5.5 kilograms (the size of a small but the processes that have been (Isoodon auratus), Northern Bettong wallaby) – have been eliminated from integral to the formation of the (Bettongia tropica) and Plains Mouse large areas of their former ranges. As Australian bush have invisibly slipped (Pseudomys australis) – proposed a consequence, much of southern away across much of the continent. for reintroduction to one or more of and central Australia is devoid of AWC’s rewilding projects. most native terrestrial mammals AWC’s reintroduction programs between the size of a mouse and a AWC has already undertaken the AWC’s reintroduction program is one kangaroo (Fig. 1 on page 40). successful reintroduction of 11 of Australia’s few stand-out success stories in the conservation of native Some species, such as the Lesser threatened mammal species to mammals. For example: Bilby (Macrotis leucura) which is five sites – more than any other AWC’s emblem, the Pig-footed organisation in Australia. Recent • The Greater Bilby has been Bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus) AWC projects have set new reduced to fewer than 10,000 and Crescent Nailtail Wallaby benchmarks in rewilding with, for individuals in the wild (Woinarski (Onychogalea lunata), are completely example, eight threatened mammal et al. 2014). AWC has extinct. Others, including the Greater species restored to Mt Gibson, and reintroduced the Bilby

Mala is one of 10 species which will be translocated to Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary Wayne Lawler/AWC

38 39 A juvenile Numbat Wayne Lawler/AWC

to four feral predator-free areas AWC’s reintroduction program also adaptive potential of these (including to the Pilliga where contributes to the restoration of species; and they have been absent for more ecological processes at each site. • playing a crucial role in the than 100 years). Further At Scotia the many signs of animal restoration of Australian reintroductions of Bilbies to activity within the fenced area can ecosystems, as threatened be clearly seen as the populations two new sites are planned mammals participate in a over the next two years. of Bilbies, Bettongs and Numbats number of important ecological Figure 1. Map of the spatial pattern of the extinction and decline of Australian terrestrial mammals. Colours show the proportion of the Collectively, AWC’s fenced dig burrows and excavate foraging processes including herbivory, fauna that has gone extinct or has declined by at least 50% in range by each bioregion. Data from Burbidge et al. (2008). Map ©Tani areas currently support around pits. As AWC’s reintroduction Cooper/ AWC. seed and spore dispersal, soil 1,500 Bilbies. This number is projects mature, we expect to see engineering and predation. expected to double as new a similar restoration of the soils and projects mature. ecosystem processes at other sites. The establishment of additional feral predator-free areas is a priority action AWC ecologists are measuring key • The Numbat, reduced to fewer in the Commonwealth Government’s variables, including diggings, as than 1,000 individuals in remnant Threatened Species Strategy and populations in south-west part of our Ecohealth monitoring an important component of the Australia, has been reintroduced program. In addition, we are conservation strategies of a number to three of AWC’s feral collaborating with a number of State Governments, including predator-free areas (with another of external researchers on the 10,000 Western Australia and New South two planned); these populations restoration of other components of Wales. 8,000 currently support 300 to 500 the ecosystem, such as invertebrate Numbats (up to 50 per cent of assemblages. AWC is by far the leading proponent 6,000 the global population), with A major contribution to biodiversity of the establishment and rewilding a similar number expected to be conservation of feral predator-free areas in 4,000 added in AWC’s new projects. Australia. With AWC’s network of AWC’s programs to reintroduce feral predator-free areas rapidly • The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby has threatened mammals to feral 2,000 been reduced to one remnant expanding, we have an ambitious predator-free areas are making a plan to undertake 27 translocations population, of around 500 crucial contribution to conservation of 15 species over the next 12 to 24 individuals, at Taunton National in Australia by: Park in Queensland. AWC’s months – more translocations than Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary supports • increasing the number of secure we have previously undertaken in the around 1,000 individuals. populations – and global history of AWC. Indeed, the scale of Reintroductions planned to population size – of threatened this translocation program is without fenced areas at Pilliga and mammals; parallel in Australia. The future of 21 Figure 2. Graph showing the size of fenced feral predator-free areas currently operational in Australia. Mallee Cliffs in 2019 and 2020, • restoring regionally-extinct threatened native mammal species Green = AWC; Blue = other organisations. Hatched = projects still in development. respectively, are each expected mammals to parts of their is likely to be secured as a result, to support populations of a former range, thereby helping representing an astonishing return on similar size. to maintain the long-term investment.

40 41 $2 million Matching Challenge set to save Australia’s endangered wildlife

By Shauna Chadlowe, Chief Development Officer

Inspired by the rapid progress we are making to bring “While the challenges ahead are significant, my significant, large scale projects to fruition, The JAAM father Martin Copley, would have been proud to see Foundation and The Martin Copley Will Trust have made the progress AWC is making to save wildlife from a stunning offer – to match eligible donations up to a extinction and restore Australia’s amazing biodiversity.” total of $2 million. Sophie Chamberlain, Trustee, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is driven by a The Martin Copley Will Trust and AWC Board Director strong sense of urgency; to halt the rapid decline of Australia’s unique biodiversity and restore our natural Inspired by AWC’s progress, and to help accelerate capital before the nation’s narrow window of opportunity our work on some of the country’s most important closes. conservation projects, Sophie Chamberlain via The Australia already has the worst rate of recent mammal Martin Copley Will Trust has joined forces with Andrew extinctions in the world. Despite governments spending and Jane Clifford via the The JAAM Foundation to put billions of dollars on conservation, the shocking, and forward a remarkably generous offer to match donations irreplaceable loss of wildlife (around 10 per cent of up to a total of $2 million. Australia’s mammal fauna is now extinct) continues unabated. This relentless decline of Australia’s Tax-deductible donations to AWC will be matched as biodiversity, and the failure of governments to stem the follows: tide of extinctions, is what inspired our founder, Martin • For new AWC donors, gifts greater than $500 will be Copley, to establish AWC in the first place. It is also what continues to motivate all of us – from our generous matched. donors to AWC’s dedicated team of staff, Board • For our existing AWC donors, all donations 10 per members and volunteers – to support AWC and carry cent or greater than your gift in 2018 will be matched. out the work we do to protect Australia’s wildlife and habitats. “AWC is pioneering a radical, science-based approach to conservation – one that delivers an exceptional ecological “Extinction is not inevitable. It is a failure … a theft return on investment. The results are inspiring.” from the future that is entirely preventable. We can and should prevent extinctions, and safeguard and Andrew Clifford, celebrate the diversity of Australian life.” The JAAM Foundation and AWC Board Director Dr John Woinarski, Sarah Legge, Stephen Garnett, The Conversation, 5 March 2019 Empowered by your support, this inspirational gift from The JAAM Foundation and remarkable legacy gift by our late Founder, Martin Copley, AO, will enable AWC is successfully delivering ground-breaking projects AWC to implement ground-breaking projects that will and partnerships set to make a game-changing generate outstanding outcomes for Australia’s wildlife. difference to the future of Australia’s threatened wildlife Populations of threatened species like the Mala, Bilby, and the shape of conservation in Australia.The next two years in particular are crucial for AWC as we embed Purple-crowned Fairy-wren and Gouldian Finch will be these partnerships, undertake the most ambitious secured – and their future safe-guarded for generations endangered mammal translocation program in Australia’s of Australians to celebrate. Please help AWC take AWC Ecologist Dympna Cullen with a Mulgara that was captured, assessed for condition and released during a fauna survey at Newhaven Wildlife history and see major ongoing science and land advantage of this wonderful opportunity and help save Sanctuary Wayne Lawler/AWC management projects implemented. Australia’s threatened wildlife and habitats.

42 43 PLEASE HELP SAVE AUSTRALIA’S ENDANGERED WILDLIFE

$2 Million Challenge: matching your donations to save endangered wildlife The JAAM Foundation and The Martin Copley Will Trust will match eligible donations to help AWC save Australia’s endangered wildlife up to a total of $2 million. To make a tax-deductible gift and have your donation doubled as part of the $2 Million Challenge appeal, please donate below.

Please post this donation form/cheque/money order to: Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Reply Paid 8070 Subiaco East WA 6008 | Phone: (08) 9380 9633 | Donate online: www.australianwildlife.org

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Credit card - Please fill in details or call (08) 9380 9633 Institution: Account Holder Name: DONATION Account Number: BSB: I would like to make a single tax deductible donation of: I / We acknowledge that this Direct Debit Request is governed by the $100 $300 $500 $1000 $5000 $ terms of the “Direct Debit Client Service Agreement” (set out below). Other (minimum $10) I wish to pay by: Credit card - Please fill in details or call (08) 9380 9633 Signature: Date: Cheque/Money Order - (enclosed) Print Name: Payable to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Fund.

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Our Commitment to You, Drawing Arrangements: Your Rights: Your commitment to us, Your responsibilities: 1. We will advise you, in writing, the details of your monthly donation to 1. You may terminate your monthly donation to Australian Wildlife Conservancy 1. It is your responsibility to ensure that sufficient funds are available in the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (amount, frequency, commencement date) at any time by giving written notice directly to us (PO Box 8070 Subiaco East nominated account to meet a drawing on its due date. (You may be at least 3 calendar days prior to the first drawing. Thereafter each drawing WA 6008), or through your nominated Financial Institution. Notice given to charged a fee by your Financial Institution if the account details are incorrect will be made on the 15th day of each month (or part thereof as specified). us should be received by us at least 5 business days prior to the due date. or there are insufficient funds in the nominated account when we attempt to deduct donations.) 2. Where the due date falls on a non-business day, the drawing will be made 2. You may stop payment of a monthly donation by giving written notice on the next working day. directly to us (PO Box 8070 Subiaco East WA 6008), or through your 2. It is your responsibility to ensure that the authorisation given to draw on the nominated Financial Institution. Notice given to us should be received by us nominated account, is identical to the account signing instruction held by 3. We will not change the amount or frequency of drawings arrangements at least 5 business days prior to the due date. the Financial Institution where your account is based. without your prior approval. 3. You may request a change to the donation amount and/or frequency of 3. It is your responsibility to advise us if the account nominated for 4. We reserve the right to cancel your monthly donation to Australian Wildlife the monthly donations by contacting us on (08) 9380 9633 and advising transactions with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Fund is transferred or Conservancy if three or more drawings are returned unpaid by your your requirements no less than 5 business days prior to the due date. closed. nominated Financial Institution and to arrange with you an alternative payment method. 4. Where you consider that a drawing has been initiated incorrectly (outside the 4. It is your responsibility to arrange a suitable alternative payment method monthly donation to Australian Wildlife Conservancy arrangements) you may take with us if the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Fund drawing arrangements 5. We will keep all information pertaining to your nominated account at the the matter up directly with us on (08) 9380 9633, or lodge a Direct Debit Claim are cancelled either by yourselves or by your nominated Financial Financial Institution, private and confidential. through your nominated Financial Institution. Institution. 6. We will promptly respond to any concerns you may have about amounts Privacy 5. Please enquire with your Financial Institution if you are uncertain whether debited to your account. direct debit functions are available on your account. (You may be charged a AWC collects personal information to process donations, issue tax deductible 7. We will send a receipt within 45 days of the conclusion of the financial year fee by your Financial Institution if the direct debit facility is not available on receipts and to contact you. AWC’s full privacy policy is available at summarising your entire year’s gifts for tax purposes. your account.)

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