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Home , Eastern bettong, Mountain pygmy possum, Quokka

On The Brink What’s Inside Issue Your impact Project wild_ Species profile: 2016/17 p3 p9 p10 03 2017 of feral predator, fox and , abatement. For that we say thankyou. I offer my As part of our ongoing commitment to heartfelt thanks to every one of you, Australian wildlife conservation, FAME regardless of the size of your gift. continues to support research into Your Impact 2016/17 Philanthropy – the generosity of people methods that in essence, become like you and me – makes all FAME’s important assets of a toolbox designed to projects possible. address this dilemma. In saying this, and in alignment with our Our core business of supporting Strategic Plan, in early 2018 we will be conservation of endangered species distributing a community survey to find continues as we remain committed to out more about you, our donors. This providing support for a range of important information will help form the basis of the and inspiring projects. This will continue future of the Foundation as we look to From the CEO to increase in 2017/18 with funding to build capacity to ensure a greater impact be provided into a research project to on wildlife conservation. Please consider ascertain the effective use of detector dogs 25 years. It is an amazing milestone taking the time to complete the survey to WA ACT in WA to save the last remaining population for any organisation and in 2018 the help us by playing a vital role in our future. 3% Foundation will celebrate 25 years of wild Numbats; building a robust In 2016/2017 you gave 5% of commitment to saving ’s insurance population of three species at After all at the core of our mission, we are precious flora and fauna. Working with Aussie Ark, with the eventual outcome of driven to save Australia’s precious flora $672,778 VIC Government, Corporates and a variety rewilding; and the supporting of a visual and fauna. As we continue over the next of stakeholders across numerous fields, project to build awareness of our precious 25 years to create awareness by bringing 25% during this tenure we have supported 28 Australian fauna, to name but a few. the fate of these species to the forefront, we can only hope that the current state of on ground projects across Australia. This Our strong track record of success is in play improves. By achieving conservation is no mean feat, particularly considering essence a result of our articulate and success, as a community, we can work the impact these projects have had on well-researched analyses, good towards halting the rate of of wildlife conservation. governance and extensive knowledge An increase of Australian flora and fauna. Giving by In 2018 we commemorate these of conservation applied to every project NSW presented to the Foundation. We are state in milestones by bringing you updates of At FAME, we believe, together, it can 21.5% 41% where some of the projects are now, many prepared to take risks with projects be done. on the previous year Australia years on. Additionally we will, with you, our particularly when the outcomes could On behalf of the Management and Board TAS community, celebrate the successes of change the landscape for our endangered of FAME we extend a warm appreciation the Foundation in many different forms. flora and fauna for the better. 1% of our association and wish you and your Throughout the years, we have come to Since FAME’s establishment in 1993 the family the very best for a joyous festive believe that sadly, there is no point to it if, majority of funding has been generously season and 2018. shortly after release, the Quoll, Possum or provided by individual donors. The 2017/18 SA Tracy McNamara any endangered species simply becomes fiscal year was no different. The sum of Individual donations Chief Executive Officer 14% prey for a . That’s why successful the impact of this, for the Foundation, is FAME conservation of threatened native wildlife depicted in the impact statement on the 2873 requires a comprehensive program that opposite page. These results would not QLD addresses every element of a complex have been achieved without the financial 11% challenge, including addressing the issue support of each and every single one of you.

The FAME Newsletter is published by About FAME Projects we have funded the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species Ltd. FAME is an independent, non-profit 5 ABN 79 154 823 579 organisation based in South Australia but operating across the country. Since 1993, with your help we Level 1, 47 Tynte Street Welbourn O’Brien is proudly associated Donations to FAME are tax deductible North Adelaide 5006, SA with FAME as we work together toward under relevant Australian legislation. have successfully completed 08 8374 1744 sustainable biological diversity. [email protected] 23 Projects www.fame.org.au Donations received from Follow us on social media Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content within this 5 Countries newsletter. We apologise for any omissions or errors that may have occurred. 2 3 helpful Deputy Chair/Vice President for A big thank you to ALL DONORS, big A year in review many years. Tim retired from the Board at and small, regular or one-off, particularly The Tassie Devil Building a the last AGM, November 2017. those that have remembered FAME in With a vision of returning - Chairman’s their wills with a bequest. Devil Ark will support a healthy population future for three I’d also like to acknowledged and thank “various species of up to 500 endangered Tasmanian update & thanks Director Diana Beal for her many hours The biggest threat facing our Aussie native Devils, safe from the fatal Devil Facial to the Eastern Highlands threatened keeping a close eye on the FAME wildlife in my opinion is not urbanisation, Tumour Disease that has almost wiped of Australia, Aussie Ark It is humbling to again be elected to finances and the personally significant farming or mining but feral , foxes and out the species on the island. Currently, species the Board of Directors of FAME by the financial contribution she has made to dogs. The most important of these is feral Devil Ark has over 50% of the entire will provide on-the-ground members and then again elected to the the Company. cats. FAME has three projects underway mainland population. conservation on a scale This initial two-year project will provide role of Chair of the FAME Board by way targeting the management of feral cats. funding for Aussie Ark to build a FAME would not be successful at its Experts have predicted that the of fellow Directors. Please see the FAME website for details of never before attempted. By further three insurance populations of mission of saving native wildlife from Tasmanian population may be extinct these projects. focussing on the protection endangered - the Southern I’ve been on the Board of FAME for many extinction but for the critical, eye cast over within the next decade. To prevent total Brown Bandicoot, the Long-nosed years as Chair. Thank you all for your all applications for funding made to FAME Anyone reading this is welcome to email extinction, healthy Tasmanian Devils of key species in feral-proof by Directors Fred Ford and Bruce Jackson. the CEO, Tracy McNamara at and the Eastern . support. must be bred on the mainland, away fenced reserves, additional The review of applications for funding [email protected] from the disease. The project will reintroduce species in However FAME’s success at native wildlife is a time consuming and often-tedious to suggest any idea to effectively future release to large semi-wild, predator proof fenced release conservation (NWC) is the product of a 44 healthy devils were established at process. The Company is most grateful manage feral cats. FAME welcomes sites in the Barrington Tops where they lot of hard work and generous support Devil Ark in January 2011. There are now protected areas is feasible. to Bruce and Fred for their respective all suggestions to address this urgent once used to roam and thrive with the by many. more than 150 healthy Devils now roaming commitments to reviewing and advising problem threatening many native species – Tim Faulkner goal of eventual reintroduction back into the Board on which NWC projects should with extinction. across 13 free-range enclosures at Devil It is imperative to recognise all, but there the wild. be considered for investment. Ark. The total number of Devils at Devil Ark are a few that should not be forgotten. I’d Yours in conservation frequently changes as breeding Devils What are the benefits of the project? like to acknowledge the very significant FAME’s mission to fund NWC on-ground are swapped with the 35 other zoos contribution made by Cheryl Hill, FAME’s Christopher Chapman projects targeting the prevention of the participating in the Save the Tasmanian By FAME supporting a project and founding CEO who invested 20 years Chair, FAME Board further extinction of Australian flora and Devil Program. This ensures that a healthy a vision like Aussie Ark, we work in into assisting FAME deliver on its missions. fauna, is particularly challenging at this genetically diverse population of Devils is partnership to have immediate social Cheryl’s legacy is conspicuous. time. Limited community, corporate or maintained at Devil Ark. Unlike zoos with and environmental benefits. Through the Thank you Cheryl. public philanthropy being attracted to their small enclosures, the Devils at Devil initiative of Aussie Ark and the concept a plethora of worthwhile, needy causes of rewilding – developing insurance Michael Willson as Chair/President has Ark are kept in a natural environment to results in NWC and environmental causes populations of key focal species and had a profound impact on the success of maintain their wild behaviour. This is critical being underfunded. reintroducing them to their original FAME’s native wildlife projects. Over the to ensure that they can be eventually to restore ecosystems, we aim years he has been on the FAME Board. Accordingly, the most important folk to released into . to mitigate extinction risk, but also build Thank you Michael. enable FAME to deliver its mission are Tasmanians Devils from Devil Ark have a future where our endemic species can those that donate to FAME. Irrespective Others have made very significant been released in a disease free, fenced thrive for future generations. of the size of the donations and their contributions; in particular I’d like to thank area at Forestier Peninsula, Tasmania. frequency, they are all very helpful and Tim Rogers who has been a loyal and critical to FAME’s success.

Update: The new, updated Version 3 can differentiate more accurately between Optimising Felixer a predator and the threatened species we are seeking to protect. Felixer: it’s an intriguing name for Thus, while it will deliver a dose to a device squarely linked to cats. a fox or cat, a brush-tailed Possum, Mind you, not any cat – just the Bettong or Quoll will safely pass by a undiscriminating killer that causes Felixer device. such devastation to Australia’s wildlife. The new version is more accurate, The Felixer, in a nutshell, kills feral uses less power and uses improved cats and foxes by spraying them with software. An exciting development is a dose of 1080, a poison absorbed as the establishment of an independent, the grooms its . And, all the not-for-profit company, Thylation, evidence is that death is painless and will which commercialise and further with little, if any, distress. develop Felixer.

Felixer is quite smart and, thanks to Watch this space for further a $290,000 optimisation grant from information as we seek approvals FAME and the Ian Potter Foundation, for extended trials. has become a whole lot smarter.

4 5 Current Projects Project Wild_ Creating awareness of the plight of Australia’s Most Endangered. (Queensland)

Long-nosed Feral Cats Potoroo Safeguarding our fauna Build a robust insurance from feral cats. population of the (Australia) Long-nosed Potoroo. (Barrington Tops, NSW)

Eastern PhD Supporting a PhD research Bettong study for the conservation of Build a robust insurance Australian wildlife. population of the Eastern (Australia) Bettong. (Barrington Tops, NSW)

Southern Numbat Brown Protecting the last Bandicoot remaining wild populations of Numbats. Build a robust insurance (Dryandra, WA) population of the Southern Brown Bandicoot. (Barrington Tops, NSW)

Western Brush-tailed Tasmanian Quoll Possum The re-introduction of the The re-introduction of the Devil Western Quoll into the Brush-tailed Possum into Saving the Tasmanian Devil Inkara-Flinders Ranges the Inkara-Flinders Ranges from extinction. National Park. National Park. (Barrington Tops, NSW) (Flinders Ranges, SA) (Flinders Ranges, SA)

*Projects are a general indication of geographical locations only. 6 7 A number of other feral cat control We need to be extremely patient when Work on the website is coming along Protecting the techniques, including the use of 1080 Creating working with these precious species with nicely with a few items in the works to baits under WA’s Western Shield their welfare our first priority. We work be put up for sale with all proceeds last remaining native animal recovery program, and awareness of closely with handlers and keepers to going back into conservation projects. trapping, are already helping to lower ensure, should they notice the animal is at We are thinking of choosing a different wild populations feral cat numbers in the woodland. If the plight of all in any type of stress, it is taken back to conservation project each 6 months and detector dogs are successful in finding its enclosure straight away. any money made being donated directly of Numbats. and controlling feral cats, we will have our most to them. We are planning on making a All the species we have worked with so another technique in our toolbox to kids card game of ‘Memory’, a colouring far have been captive , which FAME has partnered with the Australian tackle these introduced predators. endangered book, wild_ t-shirts and hats. Government, together with the WA makes the interaction much easier as they Department of Biodiversity, Conservation The project is now underway, with species… are used to being handled and being and Attractions (DBCA) and Numbat experienced dog trainers/handlers around people. I would love to expand anticipated to begin on-ground work Project wild_ into making short documentaries about Taskforce to begin a new project I feel so incredibly lucky to in the Wheatbelt woodlands of in the woodlands in early 2018. threatened species in the wild, full of . To date wild_ has completed three photo information and the adventure behind “be able to be working on Quick Facts sessions. The first session was west it. As well as short documentaries on Detector dogs are now being used this exciting project and The numbat is an iconic small of Brisbane at ‘Geckoes Wildlife’. We conservation projects going on around more widely in a number of threatened • severely affected by invasive captured imagery of , this incredible country of ours! can’t thank FAME and all species conservation projects around predators (foxes and feral cats). Plains Mouse, Mary River Turtle (pictured) Australia. We want to test if dogs I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to be their donors enough for all and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Working with that are trained to detect feral cats Officially listed as vulnerable on working on this exciting project and can’t • animals always makes for a day full of the support! can help further reduce numbers of the EPBC endangered species list, thank FAME and all their donors enough surprises and excitement! We came these introduced predators to protect numbat numbers in the wild have for all the support! across obstacles that we hadn’t planned threatened mammals, including been experiencing long-term decline. Still in the early stages, I believe in this for, like the Northern Bettong taking a wild_ has been really well received so Numbats, Woylies (Brush-tailed project whole-heartedly and have big The Numbat is the faunal emblem of toilet break (on the backdrop) mid photo far with an article in an upcoming issue ), and Chuditch (Western • dreams for wild_ and I can’t wait to see Western Australia session. I am learning more and more of Wildlife Australia magazine as well as Quolls), not to mention the many what the next 6 months brings!! every session we complete. The second a local magazine on the Sunshine Coast birds and reptiles that call the • Numbats can survive in very dry session was locally with a Woma Python in Queensland. The latest Facebook post Sarah Ash woodlands home. habitats, they obtain all the water and our third was at The Australian of the gorgeous Mountain Grant Recipient they need to survive through the Reptile Park in NSW. We had an amazing (pictured) has currently been liked by 265 Project wild_ termites they eat. day and were lucky enough to meet people and shared by 34 people. I’m so excited for the next wild_ adventure and Numbats’ tongues are 20cm long, many amazing animals!! We captured • am currently in talks with a few more zoos that’s half the length of their body. imagery of Tasmanian Devils, Green and am planning on returning to The They exclusively eat termites - they and Golden Bell Frog, Yellow-footed soon to meet the can eat up to 20,000 each day. Rock , and although not listed as Endangered, a Rough Scaled Python – adorable Eastern Quoll babies!! one of the rarest in Australia!!

Mountain Pygmy Possum Mary River Turtle 8 9 Quokka Species Profile: To make a donation, or give to an individual project, visit fame.org.au, or detach The Quokka is native to the south- spread network of detection cameras and complete this form and return back to us in the supplied envelope. west of Western Australia and often Quolls, Possums throughout the region of release. The healthy population of described as the world’s happiest Camera detections show clearly that a on Rottnest Island has resulted animal. The Quokka has gained and cats… baiting program in May and subsequent in the species occasionally being quite a following in recent years with rabbit warren ripping has resulted in overlooked as requiring conservation the “Quokka selfie” trend bringing It’s not easy saving a species. You need a a big drop in cat numbers. Continual and associated funding. However, Donation Form increased levels of tourism to Rottnest breeding program, to restore the , involvement by the Sporting Shooters to despite having a strong population Island - the home to the largest to tackle the predators and to keep track control the cats supplements strongly on Rottnest and Bald Islands, the population of Quokkas. Recently, of everything. So it has been for FAME in the overall control program. 08 8374 1744 eight mainland populations have Yes, I would like to assist FAME to continue T Qantas named one of their new the Northern Flinders Ranges where, as E [email protected] declined significantly over recent The work is not easy and needs different 787 Dreamliners after the animal. you know, proudly, we have released their work in making a difference to the survival times, so much so the species has area management efforts to ‘fit’ with each Western Quolls and Brushtailed Possums The Quokka is listed as vulnerable become locally extinct in some areas. other. However, to date, we can be proud of endangered Australian species. back into their habitat. Level 1, 47 Tynte Street on the EPBC Act list and despite its of what’s been achieved and we can The mainland populations have been North Adelaide 5006, SA popularity, mainland populations The release was fraught, in particular have confidence in the future of Quolls found to have a much higher level of $100 $50 $25 or $ ABN 79 154 823 579 of Quokkas continue to dwindle because feral cats and foxes, both and Possums in this region. genetic diversity than the two island and are now limited to eight small indiscriminate killers of Australia’s wildlife, populations therefore they are vital Only recently, we have received isolated populations around roam freely. But, three years after the first Please direct my support to the following: to the species’ long term survival. news a 600g young male going south west Western Australia. release, it is wonderful to report that the fame.org.au adventuring was caught (and released) Projects presented and chosen by the FAME Board that The major threats to the mainland Project is working. It is too early to say it’s Interestingly the Quokka was one of the at Arkaba Homestead. Almost certainly best advance FAME’s vision. populations are predation by feral a complete success, but cat numbers are first Australian animals encountered the recent cat management activities cats and foxes as well as habitat down while Possum and Quoll numbers by European explorers. In 1658 Samuel have played a part in reducing the cat Project sign at Wilpena Pound. An individual project of your choice: destruction and degradation. are steady. Volckerzoon described them as a wild population to assist these sorts of crucial cat. In 1696 Willem De Vlamingh saw A particularly costly example of habitat We can report this with confidence dispersal events. Title Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms / Dr / Other Quokkas on present day Rottnest destruction impacting mainland because of the extensive and widely Island and thought they were a type Quokkas was the 2015 Northcliffe First Name Surname of rat. He named the island Rotte bushfire in Western Australia which Thanks to the generosity of FAME we several alternative approaches for native Nest which is Dutch for rat nest. destroyed 100,000 hectares of Quokka Our native were able to purchase the instrument animal protection and are particularly Street Address habitat and killed up to 90% of the Species Information required to produce the implants rather excited about the potential for two spin-off 500 Quokkas that lived in the region. wildlife are a than production by hand. research projects that we are working The Quokka is a macropod and Suburb State Postcode • • Reintroducing Quokkas to their toward with Dr Adrian Manning from the comes from the same family as We are now in a position to produce and http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-06/northcliffe-quokka-population-decimated-after-2015-bushfire/7818884 http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=229 step-closer to former home range on the mainland Australian National University to save native Home Telephone Work Telephone and . It can test the pellets to ensure their safety for and expanding existing mainland bettongs from feral predators. grow up to 54 cm long and have host animals. Along with our research populations are both realistic and safety a tail up to 30cm in length. The partners at Adelaide University, we are Dr Anton Blencowe Mobile Email obtainable goals. The healthy island body is fairly short and stocky and The native wildlife protecting implant committed to testing the implants for six Senior Lecturer in Chemistry populations and genetic diversity appears similar to a , project is progressing well having now months in a controlled lab setting School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences found in the mainland population Payment Method despite this Quokkas can climb small produced our first batch of implants, Division of Health Sciences mean and relocation Once these tests are complete we trees and shrubs to access food. which are ready for testing. University of South Australia should be successful once suitable expect to work with our colleagues at Cheque/money order enclosed and made payable to ‘FAME Ltd’. Quokkas are browsing herbivories habitat is protected and feral cat As you can see the final product is no Ecological Horizons and Arid Recovery to that prefer to feed on recent and fox numbers can be controlled. larger than a typical microchip that is trial their effectiveness in a wild setting. Credit Card regrowth and new young vegetation used for domestic cats and dogs. In fact, If you have any interesting facts We have also made contact with a that is often found in areas our tiny purple pellets will sit under the Please debit my Mastercard Visa or stories about Quokkas we recently burnt by bush fires. skin in much the same way. number of potential collaborators to trial would love to hear about them Card Number They inhabit a wide variety of habitat on our Facebook page. types ranging from coastal heath as Expiry Date CCV found on Rottnest Island to bushland / with very dense undergrowth around Name Signature creeks or swampy areas, and this type of habitat is where mainland populations are typically found. Or Donate online at www.fame.org.au/donate to choose your Quokkas generally live between five particular project of choice. and ten years in the wild and females give birth to a single joey twice a year. I prefer that this donation remains anonymous.

Please send me a FAME bookmark. Please send me information about how to help FAME’s endangered species work through my will. Thank you *All donations over $2 are tax deductable and we will send you a tax receipt. for your Implant manufacturing machine, made Implants ready for controlled lab testing. 10 possible by FAME.. 11 support! Sarah Ash, Project wild_ Cover: Tasmanian Devil, Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country When you give monthly, you become Monthly Giving an important part of FAME’s ongoing The Foundation for Australia’s commitment to stop any further Most Endangered Species (FAME) Unfortunately, FAME’s work is never done extinction and allow the Foundation to acknowledges the traditional owners of and never will be. Indeed, despite our allocate foreseeable income to support country throughout Australia and their successes to date, the list of endangered worthwhile projects that will save continuing connection to land, sea and species in Australia continues to lengthen. endangered wildlife from extinction. community. T 08 8374 1744 FAME’s projects are carefully chosen so Most of all, you have the satisfaction E [email protected] We pay our respects to them and their that our precious funds are put to work of knowing that your support will cultures and to their elders both past in the most effective way possible. We help increase FAME’s ability to seek and present. do not gamble with the financial support out and support projects that will Level 1, 47 Tynte Street of our members and donors because we save endangered flora and fauna North Adelaide 5006, SA know when we choose wisely we can from extinction. ABN 79 154 823 579 have the greatest impact on endangered For this, we say thank you. Australian flora and fauna. fame.org.au

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