Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Eastern Bettongia gaimardi

Key Findings

The mainland subspecies of Eastern Bettong was extinct by the 1920s due to predation by foxes and feral cats, habitat loss and degradation, and persecution. Tasmanian were brought to the mainland in 2011 and 2012 to begin captive colonies in the ACT. Both populations, at Mulligans Flat and Tidbinbilla, have grown and stabilised such that growth has slowed due to space limitations, but should increase when fenced areas are expanded. Photo: Woodlands and Wetlands Trust

Significant trajectory change from 2005-15 to 2015-18? Rapid increases since 2011 (the time of their re-introduction to the mainland) have slowed, population now stable.

Priority future actions

• Maintain and expand introduced predator-free fenced areas • Translocations to at least two islands, with suitable habitat, undertaken. • Captive colonies in maintained

Full assessment information

Background information 2018 population trajectory assessment

1. and 8. Expert elicitation for population trends 2. Conservation history and prospects 9. Immediate priorities from 2019 3. Past and current trends 10. Contributors 4. Key threats 11. References 5. Past and current management 12. Citation 6. Support from the Australian Government 7. Measuring progress towards conservation

The primary purpose of this scorecard is to assess progress against the year three targets outlined in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy, including estimating the change in population trajectory of 20 species. It has been prepared by experts from the National Environmental Science Program’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub, with input from a number of taxon experts, a range of stakeholders and staff from the Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner, for the information of the Australian Government and is non-statutory. The descriptive information in the scorecard is drawn from the summaries in the Mammal Action Plan (Woinarski et al. 2014), the IUCN Red List entry (Burbidge et al. 2016), and the draft Conservation Advice for the Tasmanian subspecies of the Eastern Bettong (TSSC 2018) and references therein; unless otherwise noted by additional citations.

The background information aims to provide context for estimation of progress in research and management (Section 7) and estimation of population size and trajectories (Section 8).

1 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

1. Conservation status and taxonomy

Conservation status Bettongia gaimardi Bettongia gaimardi Bettongia gaimardi (2018) gaimardi cuniculus

EPBC Extinct Not Listed Not Listed

QLD Extinct in the wild

NSW Extinct Extinct

VIC Threatened* Threatened

TAS Not listed

Regionally ACT Conservation Dependent

*Non-statutory Victorian listing status is Extinct (Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria: 2013 list). Taxonomy: Two subspecies recognised in national legislation: Bettongia g. cuniculus (Tasmania) is not listed, and B. g. gaimardi (Mainland) is extinct. However, recent work (Haouchar et al. 2016) suggests that the Eastern Bettong should be reclassified into a single species with no subspecies (Haouchar et al. 2016).

2. Conservation history and prospects The pre-European distribution of the Eastern Bettong includes the eastern two-thirds of Tasmania below 1000m, probably from the coast to adjoining tablelands, and between southeast Queensland and southeast South . The species prefers open forests and woodlands with a grassy or heathy understorey. Bettongs construct daytime shelters under shrubs, grass tussocks or fallen logs, using material (twigs, bark and grasses) that they carry to their shelter with their . They eat tubers, seeds, bulbs and invertebrate grubs, but especially rely on underground fungi, and thus are likely to play a key role in maintaining ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in forests and woodland habitats. On the mainland, Eastern Bettongs were extirpated by the 1920s due to predation by foxes, exacerbated by habitat changes wrought by shifts in fire regime (affecting the grassy understory), land clearing, livestock grazing, the impacts of introduced herbivores especially rabbits, and predation by feral cats. Eastern Bettongs persist in Tasmania, although the species’ original distribution is now fragmented by land clearing. It is present on Bruny Island, and was introduced to Maria Island in 1971. The main threats to the Tasmanian subspecies are continued habitat loss and modification (including by changes to fire regime), and predation by feral cats; it is likely these threats interact, with predation being amplified where habitat modification is most severe. In addition, should foxes successfully colonise Tasmania, predation by foxes would be a catastrophic threat to Eastern Bettongs.

2 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Sixty Tasmanian Eastern Bettongs were used to re-establish the species on the mainland during 2011- 12, at two cat-and fox-free sites in the ACT. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a specialist threatened species recovery centre in the ACT where bettongs are maintained as a captive colony in three free range enclosures (each 6 – 12 ha). Some natural processes such as avian predation are allowed, and bettongs are supplied with supplementary food and water to allow for higher densities without resource limitation. Bettongs are regularly rotated among enclosures to maximise the retention of genetic diversity from the original founder population, and to ensure bettongs at TNR remain suitable for translocation to wild populations. The second site, at Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary, is a 485 ha fenced exclosure at on the edge of Canberra, where bettongs are not provided with any supplementary food or water. In 2018 an additional 11.5 km of predator-proof fencing was added to Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary, enclosing an additional 800 ha. Eastern Bettongs may be translocated into this new area in the future. In 2015-18, 46 bettongs from Tidbinbilla and Mulligan’s Flat were released experimentally at an unfenced site on the Lower Cotter catchment in the ACT, at which intensive fox control was carried out. The intent of this trial release was to test whether Eastern Bettongs could re-establish on the mainland with intensive and sustained fox control (Portas et al. 2014; Batson et al. 2016; Portas et al. 2016). As well as the captive colony at Tidbinbilla, a small captive population of Eastern Bettongs is housed on the mainland at Moonlit Sanctuary, near Melbourne. It originated from just two founders, and has not yet been involved in any other translocations.

3. Past and current trends Spotlight surveys carried out annually by the Tasmanian government between 1985 and 2008 show a decline in abundance. However, the data fluctuates strongly between years. The population trend since 1992 indicates a 14% decline, but with such large inter-annual variability that this trend does not significantly differ from zero (i.e. no change over time) (TSSC 2018). The translocated population at Mulligans Flat has increased from the founding population of 32 adults and their associated pouch young in 2012, to a population that fluctuates between 120-180. The population is expected to grow if bettongs are released in the future into the new, additional fenced area of 800 ha. Since 2011, the population at Tidbinbilla has grown and is managed to lie between 50-85 individuals. A new 120 ha predator-free area is being constructed and may provide additional areas for Eastern Bettongs in the future.

Monitoring (existing programs): In Tasmania, Eastern Bettongs have been monitored annually by the Tasmanian government using spotlight surveys since 1975; from 1985, the methods became more standardised and the survey effort increased to cover 170 different transects, each being 10 km long. Bettongs are regularly monitored at MFWS using an array of methods including capture-mark- recapture, camera trap and spotlighting. However, due to the rapidly changing nature of the Sanctuary methods are regularly revised and adjusted to maintain required confidence.

3 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Bettongs are regularly monitored at TNR through capture-mark-recapture in the spring and autumn. Throughout the year, bettongs are monitored with camera traps and a remote PIT tag ring scanner. Population trends: Tables 1 and 2 summarise the overall trend and status of the Eastern Bettong. The information provided in these tables is derived from the draft listing advice (TSSC 2018), with some amendments made by contributing experts based on new information. Table 1. Summary of the available information on Eastern Bettong distribution and population size, and (where possible) trend estimates between 2015 and 2018 for each parameter.

Confidence in Population parameters Published baseline 2015 Estimate 2018 Estimate estimates

EXCLOSURES (all Eastern Bettongs on the mainland are in exclosures) 2 2 2 Extent of Occurrence 4 km 4 km 4 km High 2 2 2 Area of Occupancy 4 km 4 km 4 km High

Dates of records and Translocated to Mulligans in 2012 methods used 60 individuals 140 150 High No. mature individuals released in 2011/12 (113-179; 95% CIs)

Any other measure of relative abundance (specify) No. of subpopulations 1 1 1 No. of locations 1 1 1 High Low 8 n/a n/a Generation time (as per MAP) CAPTIVE BREEDING No. mature individuals n/a 50 55 High 2 (Tidbinbilla, No. locations 2 2 High Moonlit Sanctuary) *Including translocations

4 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Table 2. Estimated recent (2005-2015) and current (2015-2018) population trends for the Eastern Bettong.

Est. % of 2005- Confidence 2015- Confidence Est. % total in in of total Location 2015 2018 Details pop’n 2005-2015 2015-2018 pop’n (pre-2015) trend trend trend trend (2018)

Spotlighting surveys indicate no significant change over Tasmania >99% Low Low >99% time.

Tidbinbilla NR and Moonlit Sanctuary are both considered captive populations. Note that Mulligans Flat the Tidbinbilla and Mulligans Woodland <1% High High <1% population are managed as a Sanctuary metapopulation. The Cotter release was a trial and is not listed here.

Although the Mulligans Flat population has successfully Whole established, it is dwarfed by 100 Low Low 100% population the size of the Tasmanian population.

KEY: Improving Stable Deteriorating Unknown Confidence Description High Trend documented Medium Trend considered likely based on documentation

? Low Trend suspected but evidence indirect or equivocal

4. Key threats The threats listed here are derived from the subspecies account in the Mammal Action Plan (Woinarski et al. 2014), the species account in the IUCN Red List entry (Burbidge et al. 2016), and the draft Conservation Advice for the Tasmanian subspecies (TSSC 2018), with some amendments from consulted experts based on new information. Note that we do not consider all plausible threats, but rather focus on the threats that are likely to have the biggest impact on populations. Predation by foxes Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been strongly implicated in and decline of bettongs on mainland Australia, with bettong populations disappearing as foxes spread across the mainland. Eradication of foxes from fenced exclosures on the mainland, followed by ongoing biosecurity to prevent or respond to fox incursions, is essential for maintaining populations of Eastern Bettongs on the mainland that can potentially be used to support populations in unfenced areas. Methods of controlling foxes sufficiently to facilitate the persistence of Eastern Bettongs in unfenced areas is also essential. Foxes were recently identified in Tasmania, but apparently failed to establish. Preventing further fox introductions to Tasmania is thus crucial for the long-term prospects of the Eastern Bettong there.

5 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Predation by feral cats Abrupt declines in Tasmanian Eastern Bettongs have been reported in one study following the appearance of feral cats (Fancourt 2014). The abundance and impacts of cats in Tasmania may be increasing as a result of meso-predator release following the decline in Tasmanian devils (Hollings et al. 2014). Feral cats (Felis catus) are known to prey upon other species of bettong, such as the woylie (B. penicillata) (Marlow et al. 2015). Cat exclusion from fenced areas contributes to bettong persistence on the mainland. Habitat clearing, fragmentation and degradation In Tasmania, habitat fragmentation could lead to localised extirpations from a range of processes, including by amplifying predation. Livestock and feral herbivores Livestock and introduced herbivores are likely to affect the structure and species composition of the grassy layer, leading to declines in Eastern Bettongs. Resource availability may also be affected. This threat may apply across the range of the bettong in Tasmania, and may also apply within fenced exclosures on the mainland. Inappropriate fire regimes The relationship between fire and Eastern Bettongs is complex, but not well-understood. Fire increases the availability of some fungi that the bettongs feed upon. However, increased fire frequency, especially of high intensity fire, is likely to simplify the structure and density of the grassy layer, reducing cover for bettongs and increasing predation risk. Resource availability may also be affected. An extensive wildfire could be extremely serious for the fenced populations in the ACT.

The impacts of the major threats are summarised in Table 3.

Table 3. The major threats facing the Eastern Bettong and their associated impact scores. CURRENT THREAT IMPACT Threat Timing Extent Severity

1. Red foxes Near future >90% of range 50-100%

2. Feral cats Near future >90% of range 50-100%

3. Introduced herbivores Continuing/ongoing >90% of range 50-100%

4. Extensive and intense Distant future >90% of range 50-100% fire event Timing: continuing/ongoing; near future: any occurrence probable within one generation (includes former threat no longer causing impact but could readily recur); distant future: any occurrence likely to be further than one generation into the future (includes former threat no longer causing impact and unlikely to recur). Extent: <1% of range; 1-50%; 50-90%; >90%. Severity: (over three generations or 10 years, whichever is longer) Causing no decline; Negligible declines (<1%); Not negligible but <20%; 20-29%; 30-49%; 50-100%; Causing/could cause order of magnitude fluctuations.

6 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

5. Past and current management Recent and current management actions that support the conservation of Eastern Bettongs are summarised below. This information is a collation of material provided by contributors. There is no specific Recovery Plan for the species or subspecies, although a Conservation Advice has been drafted for the Tasmanian subspecies. The ACT Government is currently drafting a Native Species Conservation Plan for the Eastern Bettong. Table 4. Management actions that support the conservation of the Eastern Bettong

Est. % Action Location Timing Contributors and partners pop’n

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Mulligans Flat Translocation of Eastern Bettongs to a 2012- Govt., The Australian National Woodland <1% fenced exclosure on the mainland. present University, CSIRO, James Cook Sanctuary, ACT University, James Hutton Institute

Captive breeding at Tidbinbilla facility – 3 large free-range (~30ha in total) enclosures to maintain genetic Tidbinbilla Nature 2011- <1% ACT Government diversity transferred to mainland and Reserve, ACT present support population in Mulligans Flat sanctuary

Trial release of Eastern Bettongs to an ACT Government, Woodlands and unfenced site on mainland, with Cotter Catchment, 2015- Wetlands Conservation Trust, the <<1% intensive fox control, to inform future ACT 18 Australian National University and management Threatened Species Recovery Hub.

ACT Government, Woodlands and Expand the area of fenced exclosure Goorooyarroo Wetlands Conservation Trust, the on mainland by an additional 8 km2 for (adjacent to c. 2020 0% Australian National University, potential use in the future Mulligans Flat, ACT) Australian Government

Area expansion to captive breeding Tidbinbilla Nature ACT Government facility at Tidbinbilla, or 120 ha Reserve, ACT

6. Actions undertaken or supported by the Australian Government resulting from inclusion in the Threatened Species Strategy The Eastern Bettong is a priority for Australian Government investment primarily because the species improves the functioning of ecosystems, actions may benefit multiple species, and there are strong partnerships with the ACT Government and community groups.

The Australian Government, in partnership with the ACT Government and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, contributed to the construction of the fence expansion at Mulligans Flat and Goorrooyarroo Woodlands by 800 ha, tripling its current size. The fence is complete, feral eradication is underway, and Bettongs may be translocated into the new area in 2020. The benefit of this investment will be evident in several years. The NESP TSR Hub also supported the research that accompanied the trial release of Eastern Bettongs at the Cotter.

7 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

7. Measuring progress towards conservation This section considers only the mainland population of the Eastern Bettong, because this is the focus of the Threatened Species Strategy. Table 5. Progress towards management understanding and management implementation for each of the major threats affecting the Eastern Bettong in 2015 (i.e. timing of TSS implementation) and 2018, using the progress framework developed by Garnett et al. (2018).

PROGRESS IN MANAGING THREATS

Threat Year Understanding of how to manage threat Extent to which threat being managed 3.Solutions being trialled but work only 2015 0. No management initiated recently 1. Red foxes 5. Trial management is providing clear 2018 1.Management limited to trials evidence that it can deliver objectives 1. Research being undertaken or completed 2015 but limited understanding on how to manage 0.No management threat 2. Feral cats 4.Solutions are enabling achievement but 5. Trial management is providing clear 2018 only with continued conservation evidence that it can deliver objectives intervention 4.Solutions are enabling achievement but 5. Trial management is providing clear 2015 only with continued conservation evidence that it can deliver objectives 3. Introduced intervention herbivores 4.Solutions are enabling achievement but 5. Trial management is providing clear 2018 only with continued conservation evidence that it can deliver objectives intervention 3.Solutions being trialled but work only 3. Solutions have been adopted but too 4. Extensive 2015 initiated recently early to demonstrate success and intense 3.Solutions being trialled but work only 3. Solutions have been adopted but too fire event 2018 initiated recently early to demonstrate success > Green shading indicates an improvement in our understanding or management of threats between years 2015 and 2018, while red shading indicates deterioration in our understanding or management of threats.

KEY Score Understanding of how to manage threat Extent to which threat is being managed 0 No knowledge and no research No management Research being undertaken or completed but 1 Management limited to trials limited understanding on how to manage threat Research has provided strong direction on how to Work has been initiated to roll out solutions where 2 manage threat threat applies across the taxon’s range Solutions being trialled but work only initiated Solutions have been adopted but too early to 3 recently demonstrate success Trial management under way but not yet clear Solutions are enabling achievement but only with 4 evidence that it can deliver objectives continued conservation intervention Good evidence available that solutions are enabling Trial management is providing clear evidence that 5 achievement with little or no conservation it can deliver objectives intervention Research complete and being applied OR ongoing 6 research associated with adaptive management of The threat no longer needs management threat

8 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

8. Expert elicitation for population trends An expert elicitation process was undertaken to assess population trends for the period 2012-2015 and post-2015 under the following management scenarios for the mainland population of Eastern Bettongs, which were re-introduced to the mainland in 2012. Please note that differences between Management Scenarios 2 and 3 are difficult to attribute, as it can be difficult to determine whether actions undertaken after 2015 were influenced by the Threatened Species Strategy or were independent of it (see Summary Report for details of methods). Management Scenario 1 (red line): no conservation management undertaken since 2015, and no new actions implemented. • Mulligans Flat not maintained (ie no fence security) • Captive colonies at Moonlit Sanctuary and Tidbinbilla not maintained Management Scenario 2 (blue line): continuation of existing conservation management (i.e. actions undertaken before implementation of the Threatened Species Strategy or independent of the Threatened Species Strategy). • Mulligans Flat maintained (ie fence security maintained) • Captive colonies at Moonlit Sanctuary and Tidbinbilla maintained • Trial release of bettongs at outside predator-proof sanctuaries in areas where introduced predators are controlled Management Scenario 3 (green line): continuation of existing management, augmented by support mobilised by the Australian Government under the Threatened Species Strategy. • Mulligans Flat maintained (ie fence security maintained) • Mulligans Flat is extended to almost 1300 ha, feral are eradicated, and bettongs released in 2020 • Captive colonies at Moonlit Sanctuary and Tidbinbilla maintained • Trial release of bettongs at outside predator-proof sanctuaries in areas where introduced predators are controlled Overall estimated population trajectories subject to management scenarios considered The Eastern Bettong (mainland population) is currently being managed under Scenario 3 (green line).

9 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Figure 1. Estimated relative percentage change in population under each of the management scenarios described above. Data derived from 7 expert assessments of Eastern Bettong expected response to management, using four-step elicitation and the IDEA protocol (Hemming et al. 2017), where experts are asked to provide best estimates, lowest and highest plausible estimates, and an associated level of confidence. The dashed line represents the baseline value (i.e. as at 2015, standardised to 100). Values above this line indicate a relative increase in population size, while values below this line indicate a relative decrease in population size. Shading indicates confidence bounds (i.e. the lowest and highest plausible estimates).

Population size projections based on expert elicitation are extended here to 2025, 2035 and 2045 (i.e. 10, 20 and 30 years after the establishment of the Threatened Species Strategy) on the grounds that some priority conservation management actions may take many years to achieve substantial conservation outcomes. However, we note also that there will be greater uncertainty around estimates of population size into the more distant future because, for example, novel threats may affect the species, managers may develop new and more efficient conservation options, and the impacts of climate change may be challenging to predict.

10 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Improved trajectory (Threatened Species Strategy Year 3 target): The primary purpose of this scorecard is to assess progress against achieving the year three targets outlined in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy, i.e. a demonstrated improved trajectory for at least half of the priority species (10 birds and 10 ). To assess this, we first use the expert-derived trend between 2012-15 (i.e. from the time of mainland introduction prior to implementation of the TSS) as a baseline for assessing whether there has been an improvement in trajectory in the time since implementation of the TSS (i.e. 2015-18). Table 6 below summarises this information, where negative values indicate a declining population, and positive values indicate an increasing population. We used Wilcoxon match-paired tests to compare trajectories for these two periods; a significant result (probability <0.05) indicates that there was a high concordance amongst experts that their trajectory estimates for 2012-15 were different to their estimates for 2015-18.

Table 6. A comparison of the relative annual percentage population change for the periods 2012-2015 and 2015-2018.

Post-TSS Year 3 Pre-TSS trend Significant concordance among trend target (2012-2015) elicitors? (2015-2018) met? Elicitors consistently concluded that the rate Annual of population increase following percentage reintroduction to mainland exclosures (2011- *23.9 1.3 population  12) to 2015 was greater than the rate of change population increase after 2015 (because numbers began to stabilise in exclosures) *Refers to relative annual percentage population change for period 2012-2015, as the Eastern Bettong was extinct on the mainland before reintroductions occurred in 2012. The comparison here for pre- and post-2015 trends is between a population that is likely to expand rapidly (following translocation), and a population approaching carrying capacity.

Additional actions that could improve trajectory The potential impact of carrying out specific additional conservation measures on the population trajectory of the Eastern Bettong was also evaluated through expert elicitation. Additional actions that could further improve the population trajectory of the Eastern Bettong include:

• Mulligans Flat maintained (ie fence security maintained) • Mulligans Flat is extended to almost 1300 ha, feral animals are eradicated, and bettongs released in 2020 • Two additional mainland exclosures constructed, in suitable and widely separated areas within the bettong’s previous distribution. • Translocations to at least two islands, with suitable habitat, undertaken. • Captive colonies at Moonlit Sanctuary and Tidbinbilla maintained • Trial release of bettongs at outside predator-proof sanctuaries in areas where introduced predators are controlled.

11 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

9. Immediate priorities from 2019 The priorities listed here are derived from the IUCN Red List entry for the species, with some amendments made by contributing experts based on new information. Identification of these priorities in this document is for information and is non-statutory. Data collection: • Continue to monitor existing mainland populations • Continue experiment outside predator proof sanctauries to see if bettongs can persist with low densities of foxes • Research to:  Understand the impacts of foxes and feral cats on bettongs under varying environmental conditions  Understand the impacts of habitat fragmentation and modification on bettong ecology and survival (e.g. what determines persistence of bettings in habitat patches of different size); include consideration of climate change impacts • Tasmania: Enhanced monitoring program for Eastern Bettongs in Tasmania that can detect population trends more accurately Management actions: • Complete feral animal eradication from new fenced areas at Mullians Flat-Goorooyarroo, the reintroce bettongs • Design future translocation options:  Consider which islands (fox and cat free) could be used as translocation sites for the bettong  Consider at least two new sites for mainland exclosures that would be suitable for Eastern Bettongs • Tasmania: maintain surveillance options for foxes Tasmania: Based on research on the impacts of fragmentation, design habitat restoration program to reconnect isolated populations of bettongs

10. Contributors Sarah Legge, John Woinarski, Stephen Garnett, Hayley Geyle (NESP TSR Hub); Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government; Adrian Manning (Australian National University); Woodlands and Wetlands Trust; Nicholas MacGregor; Andrew Burbidge; Peter Menkhorst; Peter Latch.

11. References Batson, W., Fletcher, D., Portas, T., Crisp, H., Ryan, S., Wimpenny, C., Gordon, I., and Manning, A. (2016). Re-introduction of Eastern Bettong to a critically endangered woodland habitat in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. In 'Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2016. Case-studies from around the globe' pp. 172-178. (IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi Gland, Switzerland.) Burbidge, A. A., Woinarski, J. C. Z., and Johnson, C. N. (2016). Bettongia gaimardi. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T2783A21960911.en.

12 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Fancourt, B. A. (2014). Rapid decline in detections of the Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) following local incursion of feral cats (Felis catus). Australian Mammalogy 36, 247-253. Garnett, S.T., Butchart, S.H.M., Baker, G.B., Bayraktarov, E., Buchanan, K.L., Burbidge, A.A., Chauvenet, A.L.M., Christidis, L., Ehmke, G., Grace, M., Hoccom, D.G., Legge, S.M., Leiper, I., Lindenmayer, D.B., Loyn, R.H., Maron, M., McDonald, P., Menkhorst, P., Possingham, H.P., Radford, J., Reside, A.E., Watson, D.M., Watson, J.E.M., Wintle, B., Woinarski, J.C.Z., and Geyle, H.M. (2018) Metrics of progress in the understanding and management of threats to Australian Birds. Conservation Biology https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13220. Haouchar, D., Pacioni, C., Haile, J., McDowell, M. C., Baynes, A., Phillips, M. J., Austin, J. J., Pope, L. C., and Bunce, M. (2016). Ancient DNA reveals complexity in the evolutionary history and taxonomy of the endangered Australian brush-tailed bettongs (Bettongia: Marsupialia: : Potoroinae). Biodiversity and Conservation 25, 2907-2927. Hemming, V., Burgman, M.A., Hanea, A.M., McBride, M.F., and Wintle B.C. (2017) A practical guide to structured expert elicitation using the IDEA protocol. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 169- 180. Hollings, T., Jones, M., Mooney, N., and Mccallum, H. (2014). Trophic cascades following the disease‐ induced decline of an apex predator, the Tasmanian devil. Conservation Biology 28, 63-75. Marlow, N. J., Thomas, N. D., Williams, A. A., Macmahon, B., Lawson, J., Hitchen, Y., Angus, J., and Berry, O. (2015). Cats (Felis catus) are more abundant and are the dominant predator of woylies (Bettongia penicillata) after sustained fox (Vulpes vulpes) control. Australian Journal of Zoology 63, 18-27. Portas, T., Fletcher, D., Spratt, D., Reiss, A., Holz, P., Stalder, K., Devlin, J., Taylor, D., Dobroszczyk, D., and Manning, A. D. (2014). Health evaluation of free-ranging Eastern Bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) during translocation for reintroduction in Australia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 50, 210-223. Portas, T. J., Cunningham, R. B., Spratt, D., Devlin, J., Holz, P., Batson, W., Owens, J., and Manning, A. D. (2016). Beyond morbidity and mortality in reintroduction programmes: changing health parameters in reintroduced Eastern Bettongs Bettongia gaimardi. Oryx 50, 674-683. TSSC (2018). DRAFT - Listing Advice Bettongia gaimardi cuniculus Eastern Bettong (Tasmania). (Department of the Environment and Energy: Canberra.) Woinarski, J. C. Z., Burbidge, A. A., and Harrison, P. L. (2014). 'The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012.' (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

13. Citation Please cite this document as:

National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Research Hub (2019) Threatened Species Strategy Year 3 Scorecard – Eastern Bettong. Australian Government, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/20-mammals-by- 2020/eastern-bettong

13 Information current to December 2018