Bandicoots and Island Views Site Updates Amy Winnard French Island 2010 Shaped up to Be a Very After Discussions with the and Fauna of French Island

Warron Eastern Barred Bandicoot Newsletter

I S S U E 1 6 M A R C H 2 0 1 1 S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F INTEREST: Bandicoots and Island Views Site updates Amy Winnard French Island 2010 shaped up to be a very After discussions with the and fauna of French Island. Conservation exciting year for the EBB islanders it was agreed that a Once the trial has been Volunteers with Conservation Volun- vote would take place to completed, the results will teers coming on board, the decide whether a 12 month be discussed with residents PhD completed completion of my PhD, Mel- trial release of 20 non and it will be back to the bourne Zoo polls once more researchers to vote on the becoming more introduction of a involved and breeding popula- the long tion of bandi- awaited French coots. If success- I N S I D E Island vote. ful French Island THIS ISSUE: In 2007 Rich- will potentially Bandicoots Dig 2 ard Hill pro- provide several up Town posed that thousand ha of fox free habitat Introducing French Island 2 for the EBB Angus would be a perfect fox free which is far lar- Volunteering 3 introduction ger than any up a Storm at site for the Blue Gums: the potential EBB release site on potential reserve Woodlands eastern barred French Island (Photo: R. Reed) on the mainland. Although there will New Start at 4 bandicoot and set Mooramong the wheels in motion for this breeding EBBs could occur. always be some people idea to become reality. The In 2010 the residents took strongly against introduc- Captive Breed- 4 to the polls and although the tions, the Recovery Team ing problem was, this would be an introduction (outside of result was close, the major- feels this is the best way to Grassland 5 the bandicoot’s former ity was in favour of a trial. prevent the EBB from be- Greening range) and not a reintroduc- Understandably many island- coming extinct, as the battle tion. This meant that many ers are wary about another against foxes on the How to tag a 5 introduction onto their is- mainland is difficult, expen- coot hurdles would need to be jumped before any bandi- land, since koalas were in- sive and confines reserves to Mt Rothwell’s 6 coots could be released troduced there in the 1870s a small size, resulting in small Flourishing onto the island. Firstly, the and have caused problems populations and potential Fields support of the islanders was ever since. Hopefully this deadly inbreeding effects. Research for 7 essential. Without this sup- trial will set minds at rest The Recovery Team would Recovery port an introduction would that no detrimental effects like to thank the French Is- surely fail as eastern barred will be caused by the eastern land residents for their sup- bandicoots are expected to barred bandicoot such as port so far and we hope that occupy private farming land, damage to property or our relationship will be a like they do in Tasmania. threatening the unique flora long and productive one. P A G E 2 Bandicoots Dig up Town Amy Winnard

The eastern declined slightly this sum- dicoot in its element. The barred bandi- mer as it did the previous finely groomed lawn coot popula- two years, presumably due proved irresistible to the tion at Hamil- to hard, dry, compact soils cheeky bandicoot that ton Commu- making high energy food spent many an hour gorg- nity Parklands items difficult to obtain. ing on its gourmet delights. continues to Quarterly trapping of this Any other residents finding prosper with population occurs with the eastern barred bandicoots 39 individuals help of Conservation Vol- in their gardens are urged caught in No- unteers, if you would like to contact the Recovery vember 2010. to volunteer please see Team. No eastern barred EBB trapping team at No fox incur- the conservation volun- bandicoots have been de- Hamilton Community sions have occurred in the teers website at liberately released outside Parklands last 12 months meaning www.conservationvolunte of the reserve but we are (Photo: H. Kiley) the fence is doing an excel- ers.com.au for upcoming aware that some, most lent job as well as every- project dates. likely juveniles, are able to one involved in fence Amazingly a resident living escape. If they are able to maintenance. With the close to the reserve made survive in the face of many unusually high summer a complaint about eastern dangers such as foxes, cats rainfall, lush green vegeta- barred bandicoots in 2010. and cars then this is very tion and moist soils, usu- It seems that their pristine important information and “...the cheeky ally associated with cooler lawn is now dotted with could lead to truly wild months, it will be interest- reintroductions occurring bandicoot [that] the sign of an escaped ban- ing to see if the population in the future. spent many an

hour gorging on

[the lawns] Introducing Angus

gourmet delights.” Angus Williamson I am a Masters student at impact, through habitat months and will hopefully the University of Mel- and/or food competition be an important step in bourne working under the on the indigenous long- ensuring the long-term supervision of Graeme nosed potoroo. Coulson (Melb. Uni.), The trial will commence Richard Hill (DSE), and this year with EBBs Dan Harley (Melb. Zoo). I sourced from the Hamil- have been selected to ton Community Parklands study the trail release of population. All individuals 20 non-breeding EBBs (10 will be held in captivity for vasectomised males and 10 at least a month for rigor- non-pregnant females) ous health checks before onto French Island. The being released onto the two main areas of the trial island. I will then track all will investigate if bandi- individuals using radio- coots will use the cleared transmitters and regularly Angus Williamson EBB pastures and vegetation of trap them to monitor their trapping in Hamilton French Island, and if they health status. This project (Photo: H. Kiley) will have any significant is expected to take 12

WARRON I S S U E 1 6 P A G E 3 Volunteering up a Storm at Woodlands Travis Scicchitano

start working on pest removal, which once completed will allow for the bandicoots to be welcomed into there new home. So far there has been plenty of on ground works being undertaken by Parks Victoria staff “Conservation and the Conservation Volun- teers project officer, Travis Volunteers and Scicchitano. But the real bulk Parks Victoria of the work has been achieved by the excellent help from all are joining the dedicated volunteers. The forces to help re Volunteers from Little Creatures working on the volunteers have been varied Woodlands fence (Photo: T. Scicchitano) from local residents, interna- -establish the tional travellers, students and Back Paddock It has been a very exciting erected by Parks Victoria to corporate staff members get- start to the Woodlands His- eliminate an area which was ting out of their office to help site for the toric Park bandicoot Project. difficult to manage because of the environment. Over the last The partnership between the terrain. This will also en- three months there have been reintroduction Parks Victoria and Conserva- hance the exclusion of foxes over 150 volunteers working of the EBB...” tion Volunteers is running full from the area. Conservation on regular Thursday project steam ahead. Conservation Volunteers has been maintain- days and the occasional mid Volunteers and Parks Victoria ing the existing fence by re- week project. are joining forces to help re- clipping the skirt and making We are well and truly off and establish the Back Paddock site sure the fence is connected running, but there is plenty of for the reintroduction of the and supported. Volunteers work still to be done. With all EBB in a safe, protected 350 ha have also been checking for those willing helpers out there environment. fox holes and monitoring I’m sure we will achieve our where there might be any The great news is that after a goals and create a safe home breaches, as well as conducting bumper season of rain that fell for the wonderful Eastern extensive woody weed re- within the region the grass- Barred Bandicoot. lands are looking fantastic. moval. They have been remov- Kangaroo and spear grasses ing vast quantities of African are as tall as your chest. It’s Boxthorn along the fence lines, nearly impossible to see the which will potentially harbour eastern grey kangaroos! The rabbit warrens and fox dens. grasses are spreading naturally The addition of a floppy top and are starting to win the styled fence is on the way. fight against some of the weed Plans have been created and species. Increased rainfall is trials are on the way to im- also positive for the huge areas prove pest exclusion in the of habitat for the bandicoots, Back Paddock. Once this trial creating softer ground for is completed both Conserva- them to look for tasty insects tion Volunteers and Parks Vic- Weed removal at Woodlands by Origin to feed on. toria staff will be busily erect- Energy volunteers (Photo: T. Scicchitano) A new fence line is being ing the floppy top fence and P A G E 4 New Start at Mooramong David Coutts

After many and feeding stations. Ref- after two weeks the sup- years four uges were created by using plementary food was no female EBBs earthenware pipes cov- longer being eaten. Three were re- ered with soil, hollow logs weeks post release an at- leased at were added and some tempt was made to cap- dusk into plantings of Poa. labillardieri ture the animals to moni- the pens at (Common Tussock Grass) tor their health and pro- Mooramong undertaken amongst the gress. While fresh digs in near Skip- dense Phalaris that domi- all the pens continued to ton in late nates the pens. The exter- be observed, only one October nal perimeter of the pens animal was captured over EBBs being trans- 2010. The was reinforced by attach- two nights trapping. She ported to their new pens, unused for many ing a wire netting apron at displayed good health and home at years were constructed to ground level to prevent had gained more than 60g. Mooramong house Mooramong’s first predators digging under The Nature Reserve Com-

re-introduced captive ani- the fence. This work was mittee at Mooramong is mals. In the months in the ably done by Conservation currently working toward lead up to the release a Volunteers Australia. initiating a student project great deal of work was After the release, the ban- to monitor both predators “After many undertaken to ensure the dicoots were fed a supple- and the associated control pens were both predator years four female mentary diet of diced work. It is hoped the pro- proof and bandicoot vegetables and dog kibble. ject will facilitate contin- EBBs were friendly. The habitat was Good rain ensured an ued wild releases of EBBs enhanced by the addition released at dusk abundance of natural food at Mooramong. of new watering points was readily available and into the pens at

Mooramong ...” Captive Breeding Peter Courtney The Captive Breeding pro- also helped by revamping year. The French Island gram has been extremely the pens located there and trial will see the release successful in the last few taking four females, hous- of twenty animals, which months with a large num- ing them for the foresee- will free up some space ber of EBB births occur- able future. Animals have and allow us to resume ring. The captive holding now been earmarked for our breeding program. capacity has now been the upcoming reached and we have had research pro- to cease breeding until ject on trans- some animals are released. mitter attach- Serendip Sanctuary has ment which is come back on board by part of the taking eight bandicoots planning for from Melbourne Zoo to our French help with holding the extra Island trial, numbers pro- which is due to duced. Mooramong has occur later this EBB bred at Melbourne Zoo

WARRON I S S U E 1 6 P A G E 5 Grassland Greening Monika Zabinskas predator proof environments tion on the health and status around Victoria. of the EBB population in the Through the efforts of dedi- reserve. cated volunteers, Conserva- The project will not only di- tion Volunteers through a rectly assist in the recovery of partnership with Parks Victoria EBBs and other threatened have restored captive holding species but will also enhance pens at Serendip Sanctuary and the environmental educational are currently holding 11 EBB. opportunities in the Western EBB at Serendip Sanctuary The next stage is to establish Plains region. (Photo: M. Zabinskas) larger pens at Serendip to provide a more natural grasslands Conservation Volunteers environment. through the support from the Working with Mt Rothwell Vision for Werribee Plains fund Biodiversity Interpretation have been engaging the wider Centre, Conservation Volun- community in a project at Ser- teers have been assisting to endip Sanctuary to restore and improve the grasslands manage the natural temperate through weed removal and grasslands of the Volcanic fencing activities and will aid Plains. The project will provide Mt Rothwell in supplying and habitat for EBB populations setting up camera monitoring before release into larger Volunteers at Serendip Sanctuary systems to gain vital informa- (Photo: M. Zabinskas) How to tag a coot Dan Harley “Zoos Victoria are re-visiting Zoos Victoria are re-visiting vent animals getting their feet means of attaching radio- the vexed question of how to caught, without causing any transmitters to bandicoots for the vexed reliably attach radio- neck abrasion. Animals will be extended periods to monitor question of transmitters to EBBs for peri- anaesthetized for the precise their fate and movements post ods of eight weeks or more. fitting of collars. A durable -release. how to reliably Radio-collars offer the simplest rubberized collar will be tested The prompt for the current attach radio- solution, however past tests first, that should be conducive research is the 12-month trial using several alternative collar to long-term attachment (> 12 release of bandicoots sched- transmitters…” designs have all met with lim- months) if they stay on suc- uled to occur on French Island ited success. cessfully for the first few later this year. Radio-tracking The current radio-collaring weeks. Should these prove will be a key monitoring tech- trials will be conducted on unsuccessful, leather will be nique employed to monitor captive bandicoots held at Mel- trailed, which should permit a the movements and survival of bourne Zoo, where the study more precise initial fit, but has animals post-release. Angus animals, five males and five a more limited lifespan in the Williamson, a MSc student females, can be monitored on field (possibly 2 – 10 months) from the University of Mel- a nightly basis via remote cam- due to gradual stretching over bourne, will undertake the eras. The challenge is to get time. Failing that, the implanta- monitoring component of this the collar tight enough to pre- tion of transmitters in the study. body cavity may offer the only P A G E 6 Mt Rothwell’s Flourishing Fields Annette Rypalski

How much a place can change in 12 months. Those who have been fol- lowing the progress of Mt Rothwell over the last few years will definitely agree that the site has never looked better. With the copious amount of rain, the vegetation has indeed flourished to the degree “With the we are actually finding it quite difficult to put esti- copious mates on animal popula- Flooded track at Mt Rothwell (Photo: A. Rypalski) amount of tions. However, if we were to go by the sightings various cricket, moth and to the Recovery Team and rain, the on our paths and tracks butterfly species flying out may hold the key to the vegetation has we can confidently say that to safety, and while the establishment of the spe- EBB sightings are still the mosquito’s have been a bit cies at other sites. indeed most prevalent. of a pain, the dragonfly’s With the rains forecast to flourished...” Despite the newly formed will gather in their hun- continue and winter ap- wetlands in our Basalt dreds around frog ponds proaching quickly, access Plains many species popu- and waterholes to feast on to more than half the site lations on site continue to them. No doubt the east- will remain difficult to near be on the increase, includ- ern quoll and EBB are impossible. So while the ing the smaller local am- benefitting from the high bandicoots learn to swim phibian and invertebrate abundance of food and and adjust to the new species. It’s very exciting perhaps feeding on species menu they seem to be for all staff, volunteers and they’ve never tried before. easing to their new living regular visitors to walk Various methods of sur- conditions and diet quite through the Basalt native veys are currently being well. grasslands to see waves of experimented with, includ- The development and ing spotlighting, trap- achievements continue ping and sensor cam- with another new em- eras. Mt Rothwell is ployee joining the Mt excited with anticipa- Rothwell team for the tion for the arrival of management of the new various styles of cam- 800ha site named Tiver- era traps for trial to ton. Brett Barnes will be- detect and record gin within the next two quantities, behaviours, weeks and we look for- health and condition of ward to introducing him to the EBB. Successful all our programs as he cameras will be pur- becomes a part of all the chased and kindly gifted conservation efforts and to Mt Rothwell from successes Mt Rothwell will Female with young at foot, CVA. The information bring to the community Mt Rothwell (Photo: A. Rypalski) gathered will be provided within the near future.

WARRON I S S U E 1 6 P A G E 7 Research for Recovery Amy Winnard

gered eastern barred bandicoot Perameles gunnii’, ‘The foraging habitat use and movements of reintroduced eastern barred bandicoots Perameles gunnii into an unoccupied reserve’, ‘Habitat selection of a critically endangered species in “...I was able a predator-free but degraded reserve’. The final chapter, to pull entitled ‘Management’ is a syn- together a thesis of my management rec- ommendations. In summary, thesis that these include only releasing will Amy radio-tracking at Mt Rothwell (P. Mervin) bandicoots into fox free areas in the short term, releasing hopefully be In 2005 I commenced my PhD The six main chapters of my bandicoots in the cooler indispensible supervised by Graeme Coul- thesis are as follows: ‘Sixteen months and on the fringe of son, University of Melbourne. years of eastern barred bandi- grassland and woodland to the It took me five enjoyable years coot Perameles gunnii reintro- ecotone, habitat revegetation recovery to complete and in the end it ductions in Victoria: a review’, is not essential prior to re- was a race to see which would ‘An assessment of three tech- leases and a strict monitoring effort.” be born first, my thesis or my niques for monitoring a rare, routine should be employed at son. Thankfully, my thesis won cryptic grassland marsupial’, lease quarterly at every re- by a mere 1.5 weeks! As with ‘Living with the enemy: dynam- serve. any PhD mine transformed and ics of a declining population of I would like to morphed over thank the Alfred time into some- Nicholls Award, thing completely Department of different due to Sustainability the unfortunate and Environ- loss of bandicoots ment, Depart- at Woodlands and ment of Zool- the decline of ban- ogy (The Uni- dicoots at versity of Mel- Mooramong. De- bourne), Drum- spite these de- mond Award, clines both Hamil- Glenelg-Hopkins ton and Mt Roth- CMA and Parks well had popula- Victoria for sup- tions that were Juvenile EBB at Hamilton Community Parklands plying funding performing well and (Photo A. Winnard) and scholarship with the use of his- money and all past toric bandicoot capture data I the critically endangered east- and present members of the was able to pull together a ern barred bandicoot Perame- Recovery Team for their sup- thesis that will hopefully be les gunnii’, ‘Fenced in: dynamics port and help over the years, indispensible to the recovery of a newly reintroduced popu- especially Graeme Coulson effort. lation of the critically endan- and Richard Hill. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team was founded in 1989 after a continual decline was noted in the wild population. Bandicoots have since been reintroduced into eight sites but are now only know to be present at Hamilton Com- munity Parklands, Mooramong and Mount Roth- well. Eastern Barred Bandicoots are considered Eastern Barred Bandicoot critically endangered in Victoria and the popula- Recovey Team tion is estimated to be around 200 animals.

PO Box 243 ‘Warron’ is the Kirrae Whurrong word for the Casterton Eastern Barred Bandicoot. This newsletter was VIC named ‘Warron’ in honour of Wayne Drew after 3011 his passing in 2001. Wayne was the ‘Bandicoot Ranger’ for Woodlands Historic Park and a mem- Phone: (03) 5554-2302 ber of the Kirrae Whurrong people from the west- E-mail: [email protected] ern district of Victoria.

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