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Approved Conservation Advice for Liasis Olivaceus Barroni (Olive Python – Pilbara Subspecies)

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Approved Conservation Advice for Liasis Olivaceus Barroni (Olive Python – Pilbara Subspecies) This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/7/2008 Approved Conservation Advice (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) Approved Conservation Advice for Liasis olivaceus barroni (Olive Python – Pilbara subspecies) This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this conservation advice was approved. Description Liasis olivaceus barroni, Family Boidae, also known as the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies), is a dull olive-brown/pale fawn python growing to 2.5 m. This subspecies has a white/cream belly, pale lips finely dotted with pale grey or brown, pitted anterial scales bordering the lips and smooth scales in 55–80 rows at mid-body (Cogger, 2000). This subspecies differs from Liasis olivaceus olivaceus in mid-body and ventral scale counts. Conservation Status The Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) is listed as vulnerable. This species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as vulnerable (under the name Morelia olivaceus barroni) under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth). This subspecies is also listed as threatened under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (Western Australia). Distribution and Habitat The Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) is known only from ranges within the Pilbara region, north-western Western Australia, such as the Hamersley Range and islands of the Dampier Archipelago. It is known to occur at 21 locations within the Pilbara including populations at Pannawonica, Millstream, Tom Price and Burrup Peninsula (Pearson, 1993; Pearson, 2006). More recently, a sub-adult python was recorded on the site of the proposed Pardoo iron ore shipping facility in the Pilbara, approximately 70 km east of Port Hedland (Enesar Consulting, 2007). Estimating population size for this subspecies is difficult due to the cryptic nature of the python, the lack of any reliable trapping or census techniques and the narrow range of reliable surveys. One report states that this subspecies population is sizable in pockets, with some remote populations restricted from threatening process (Pearson, 2006). The Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) prefers deep gorges and water holes in the ranges of the Pilbara region (Pearson, 1993). The python recorded at the proposed shipping facility site was on a vehicle track adjacent to outcropping rocks and near to gullies (Enesar Consulting, 2007). Radio-telemetry has shown that individuals spend the cooler winter months hiding in caves and rock crevices away from water sources. In the warmer summer months the pythons were fond to move around widely, usually in close proximity to water and rock outcrops (Swan, 2007). The subspecies is adept at swimming, utilising water holes to hunt and its diet includes Rock wallabies, Fruit Bats, ducks, Spinifex Pigeons and Coucals. Prey is captured by ambush on animal trails or by striking from a submerged position in water holes (Pearson, 2006). Part of its habitat is conserved in Karijini National Park (Pearson, 1993). This species occurs within the Rangelands (Western Australia) Natural Resource Management Region. The distribution of this species is not known to overlap with any EPBC Act-listed threatened ecological communities. Liasis olivaceus barroni Conservation Advice - Page 1 of 3 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/7/2008 Threats The main identified threats to the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) include predation by feral cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes), particularly of juveniles (DEW, 2007); the predation of food sources (quolls and rock-wallabies) by foxes; and destruction of habitat due to gas and mining development (especially on Burrup Peninsula) (Pearson, 2006). The main potential threats to the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) appear to be the loss of suitable prey species, particularly in coastal locations where foxes are more prevalent; deliberate road kills, associated with increased road traffic from tourism and industry; and death resulting from mistaken identification as a poisonous brown snake (Pearson, 2006; Swan, 2007). Research Priorities Research priorities that would inform future regional and local priority actions include: • Design and implement a monitoring program. • More precisely assess population size, distribution, ecological requirements and the relative impacts of threatening processes. • Undertake survey work in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional populations/occurrences. Regional and Local Priority Actions The following priority recovery and threat abatement actions can be done to support the recovery of the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies). Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification • Identify populations of high conservation priority. • Ensure road widening, maintenance activities, and gas infrastructure development (or development activities) in areas where the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) occurs do not adversely impact on known populations. • Manage any changes to hydrology which may result in changes to the water table levels, increased run-off, sedimentation or pollution. • Investigate further formal conservation arrangements such as the use of covenants, conservation agreements or inclusion in reserve tenure. Animal Predation or Competition • Implement Threat Abatement Plan for the control and eradication of foxes and cats in the local region (EA, 1999a & 1999b). Conservation Information • Raise awareness of the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) within the local community. • Use road signage to raise awareness of the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) with road users on or near roads. Enable Recovery of Additional Sites and/or Populations • Investigate options for linking, enhancing or establishing additional populations. This list does not necessarily encompass all actions that may be of benefit to the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies), but highlights those that are considered to be of highest priority at the time of preparing the conservation advice. Liasis olivaceus barroni Conservation Advice - Page 2 of 3 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/7/2008 Existing Plans/Management Prescriptions that are Relevant to the Species • National Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the European Red Fox (EA, 1999a), and • National Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (EA, 1999b). These prescriptions were current at the time of publishing; please refer to the relevant agency’s website for any updated versions. Information Sources: Cogger, H 2000, Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia - 6th edition, Reed New Holland, Sydney. Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) 2007, Australian Natural Resource Atlas, viewed 5 May 2008, <http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/vegetation/assessment/wa/ibra-lsd-species-recovery.html>. Enesar Consulting Pty Ltd 2007, Pardoo Direct Shipping Ore Project: Environmental and social impact assessment - Report for Atlas Iron Limited (Australia), Enesar Consulting Pty Ltd, Burswood, Western Australia. Environment Australia (EA) 1999a, Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by European Red Fox, Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia, viewed 5 May 2008, <http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/foxes/index.html>. Environment Australia (EA) 1999b, Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats, Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia, viewed 5 May 2008, <http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/cats/index.html>. Pearson, DJ 1993, ‘Distribution, status and conservation of pythons in Western Australia’, In: Lunney, D & Ayers, D (Eds) Herpetology in Australia: a Diverse Discipline, pp. 383-395, Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Sydney. Pearson, DJ 2006, ‘Giant Pythons of the Pilbara’, Landscope, vol. 19, pp. 32-39. Swan, M 2007, Keeping and Breeding Australian Pythons, Mike Swan Herp Books, Lilydale. Liasis olivaceus barroni Conservation Advice - Page 3 of 3 .
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