newsletter of australian wildlife conservancy wildlife matters SUMMER 2008/09 An historic partnership to save the wildlife of the Gulf of Carpentaria Terry Trewin P. Rothlisberg S. Murphy Lochman Transparencies a u s t r a l i a n w i l d l i f e saving australia’s conservancy threatened wildlife the awc mission Pictograph The mission of Australian Wildlife elcome to the Summer 2008 edition of Wildlife Matters. At a time when global financial Conservancy (AWC) is the effective Wmarkets are in turmoil, I am pleased to provide some very good news about one of your conservation of all Australian animal investments. Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) continues to deliver very strong positive returns. species and the habitats in which they Of course, the value of our assets is not measured in dollars but in terms of the number of native live. To achieve this mission, our actions wildlife species and habitats that are effectively conserved on AWC sanctuaries. In this respect, are focused on: AWC is a market leader, protecting more species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and their habitats, than any other non-government organisation in Australia. • Establishing a network of sanctuaries Over the last 12 months, we have increased the number of species and habitats that are which protect threatened wildlife and protected by AWC through the acquisition of key sanctuaries in central and northern Australia. ecosystems: AWC now manages 20 However, most importantly, we have continued to deliver effective conservation for species on sanctuaries covering over 2.5 million our sanctuaries through the implementation of practical, on-ground programs targeting feral hectares (6.2 million acres). animals, fire management and other threatening processes. Populations of key species such • Implementing practical, on-ground as the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby are meeting targets (ie, the populations are stable or increasing). conservation programs to protect Just as importantly, we have delivered these ecological returns in a cost-effective manner. the wildlife at our sanctuaries: There are several key elements of AWC’s business model which underpin our ongoing performance: these programs include feral animal • Around 80% of our staff are based in the field. This has enabled us to roll-out programs dealing control, fire management and with fire management and feral animal control at a scale that is unique within the non-government the translocation of endangered sector. More information on our land management programs are set out in the following pages. species. • AWC invests heavily in field-based science. We have a large number of scientists and students based in the field, seeking to fill the “information gaps” that currently limit the • Conducting (either alone or in effectiveness of all land managers. This is a critical investment by AWC – by helping to find collaboration with other organisations) better ways to manage land, our investment will provide a more secure future for Australia’s scientific research that will help wildlife, as well as a more productive future for pastoralists and other land managers. address the key threats to our native • AWC uses resources efficiently: A high proportion of our operating expenditure (over 80%) wildlife. is directed to conservation programs. This is significantly higher than other comparable • Hosting visitor programs at our organisations. Similarly, our cost of fundraising is lower than other comparable organisations. sanctuaries for the purpose of As economic conditions tighten, AWC recognises the importance of ensuring that scarce education and promoting awareness resources are used as effectively as possible. With this in mind, the Pungalina-Seven Emu project of the plight of Australia’s wildlife. (see pages 4-9) is an example of AWC structuring a deal in an innovative manner to secure a great environmental outcome at a reduced cost. AWC set out to find a project that would capture an ecological gradient from the Gulf of Carpentaria about awc coast to the sandstone escarpment of the interior. We achieved this by combining the acquisition of Pungalina (in the interior) with a long-term sublease over an adjacent section of Seven Emu • AWC is an independent, non-profit (including 55 kilometres of coastline). The combined Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary organisation based in Perth, Western contains all of the mammals and birds expected in this region, with the exception of a single Australia. Donations to AWC are tax species of mammal and a single bird species. deductible. This is an example of AWC’s innovation: the sublease over Seven Emu is the first time a private organisation has subleased Aboriginal-owned land for conservation. At a combined investment • During 2007/08, more than 90% of $5.25 million, it was also significantly less expensive than the alternative options within the of AWC’s total expenditure was region. By saving on the cost of acquisition, AWC hopes to be able to invest more in on-ground incurred on conservation programs, management at Pungalina-Seven Emu. including land acquisition. Less than I hope you enjoy reading about the Pungalina-Seven Emu project, as well as the updates on our 10% was allocated to development programs at other sanctuaries across Australia. The extent of our activity around Australia is, I (fundraising) and administration. believe, a measure of the dedication and commitment of our staff team. Cover photos (main): Atticus Fleming and Finally, I wish to thank all of our donors, volunteers and other supporters. The success we have Frank Shadforth on an escarpment over- achieved to date is a direct result of your generosity. I am confident that, with your continued support, looking the Calvert River, Pungalina. AWC will remain a “blue chip” investment helping to provide a secure future for Australia’s wildlife. Animals (L-R): Dingo; Purple-crowned Fairy- wren; Spectacled Hare Wallaby Merry Christmas australian wildlife conservancy PO Box 8070 Subiaco East 6008 Atticus Fleming Ph: +61 8 9380 9633 Chief Executive www.australianwildlife.org PS AWC is pleased to offer a special Christmas gift: sponsor the acquisition and management of an area of Pungalina-Seven Emu on behalf of a friend or family member for only $35 per hectare! See page 9 for details. 2 Northern Australian update Planigales at Piccaninny Plains Wayne Lawler Thank you to all AWC supporters he implementation of our northern Australian strategy has who have helped with the acquisition Tbeen a high priority for AWC in 2008. As part of this process, and management of Marion Downs and Piccaninny Plains. We could not have we have carried out a range of on-ground management programs completed these acquisitions without your at our sanctuaries across the north, as well as completing the generous support. We also acknowledge the special contribution we have received acquistion of Piccaninny Plains and Marion Downs from the following key partners: • The Australian Government has Marion Downs Piccaninny Plains provided a grant of $1.8 million for the acquisition of Marion Downs. Marion Downs covers over 280,000 Protecting rare tropical grasslands and a The Nature Conservancy is also network of spectacular wetlands, Piccaninny hectares of tropical savanna and sandstone providing substantial assistance for escarpment country. Features of the property Plains covers over 170,000 hectares Marion Downs. of northern Cape York. It is a region of include the Phillips Range and spectacular • The acquisition of Piccaninny Plains extraordinary biological significance, strongly rivers and streams that carve deep gorges involves one of our key partners, through the Kimberley landscape. influenced by its previous connections to WildlifeLink-The Tony and Lisette New Guinea. The AWC team at Piccaninny Lindsay Malay, a member of the local Lewis Foundation. A generous Plains has been very active: grant is also being provided to AWC indigenous community, has joined the AWC • Several hundred feral cattle have been through the Wild Australia program, staff team, based at Marion Downs. Together mustered, ready for sale early in the next a joint initiative of Pew Environment with a wealth of practical experience, Lindsay dry season. Group and The Nature Conservancy. also brings strong local knowledge to his • 1700 feral horses have been culled. AWC is very grateful for the assistance new role implementing the land management provided by our supporters around programs at Marion Downs. • A new boundary fence is being Australia and from our key partners. constructed to reduce the level of Since completing the acquisition of Marion Together, we are making great progress re-invasion by cattle and feral horses. toward the effective conservation Downs, AWC has undertaken a range of AWC scientists and volunteers carried out of wildlife and habitats in northern priority management tasks: a biological survey of Australia. • Targeted biological surveys have the major habitats on confirmed the presence of the Piccaninny, incorp- endangered Northern Quoll, as well as orating over 3,800 the Northern Brown Bandicoot (which trap nights and has elsewhere declined across northern many hours of bird Australia). surveys. The survey • Wildfire suppression has been required team recorded a on several occasions to limit the impact high number of rare of late season fires. and endemic species, • Infrastructure maintenance, including including several im- fencing, is laying the groundwork for portant range exten- destocking of most of the property to sions: see page 25 begin in the next dry season. for more information. AWC staff members Lindsay Malay and Tony Fleming Richard Kingswood at Marion Downs 3 Pungalina-Seven Emu project A stronghold for wildlife in the Gulf of Carpentaria ustralian Wildlife Conservancy has secured an opportunity Pungalina and Seven Emu are centrally located within the Gulf Region. This Region Ato establish the first private nature reserve in the Gulf of links the Top End and Cape York Peninsula, Carpentaria. The Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary will playing a vital role in connecting the landscape of northern Australia.