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newsletter of australian wildlife conservancy

a u s t r a l i a n wildlife matters w i l d l i f e conservancy

DECEMBER 2006

The threatened wildlife of northern Reversing the decline a u s t r a l i a n

w i l d l i f e saving australia’s conservancy

threatened wildlife Pictograph the awc mission The mission of Australian Wildlife elcome to the December 2006 edition of Wildlife Matters. It has been a Conservancy (AWC) is the effective Wremarkable year for Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). As you will read conservation of all Australian in the following pages, our practical, on-ground programs are delivering impressive species and the in which they results for some of Australia’s most threatened wildlife. live. To achieve this mission, our actions are focused on: A highlight of the year was the announcement that AWC has been honoured with the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award. The Environmentalist • Establishing a network of sanctuaries of the Year Award recognises the practical contribution being made by AWC at which protect threatened wildlife and : AWC now owns 14 our properties across Australia. However, at a more strategic level, the award also sanctuaries covering 917,000 hectares recognises AWC’s leadership in helping define a new model for conservation. (2.3 million acres). Under this new model, private (non-profit) organisations like AWC are set to play • Implementing practical, on-ground a greater role in the establishment and management of protected areas around conservation programs to protect Australia. AWC is, however, operationalising this model in a manner that places a the wildlife at our sanctuaries: these high value on partnerships with the public sector. For example: programs include feral animal control, fire management and the translocation • The Australian Government, through Senator the Hon Ian Campbell and his of endangered species. Department, has made a significant grant of $2.1 million to assist in the purchase • Conducting (either alone or in of Wongalara. AWC must raise the balance of the purchase price and the collaboration with other organisations) on-going costs of management. scientific research that will help • AWC has signed a conservation agreement with the Queensland Government address the key threats to our native to protect Brooklyn in perpetuity. Queensland and AWC have also ‘exchanged’ wildlife. Bilbies as part of our collaborative efforts to save this threatened species. • Hosting visitor programs at our In addition to our collaboration with the public sector, a defining feature of the sanctuaries for the purpose of way we work is our emphasis on active land management. For example, during education and promoting awareness the three month period from July – September 2006: of the plight of Australia’s wildlife. • AWC staff conducted more than 20,000 trap nights, a remarkable level of biological survey and research effort. about awc AWC is an independent, non-profit • AWC’s feral animal control program successfully targeted cats, foxes, camels, organisation based in Perth, Western donkeys, horses, goats, and pigs. For example: at Newhaven, we have Australia. Donations to AWC are tax culled more than 200 camels during this three month period; at Mt Gibson, we deductible. laid more than 70,000 baits. During the last four years, over 90% of The investment in active management is paying dividends – the Greater Bilby AWC’s total expenditure has been spent and the Burrowing are just two examples of threatened species whose on conservation programs, including land populations are now increasing at AWC sanctuaries. Ultimately, this is what it is acquisition. Less than 10% has been all about – protecting and restoring our threatened wildlife. Thank you to all of our spent on development (fundraising) and administration. donors for your support, and I hope you can continue to help AWC play a role in turning back the tide of in Australia. Front Cover: The Ningbing Pseudantechinus is a little-known carnivorous of northern Australia. At Mornington, where the animal on the front cover was captured, the population of Ningbing Pseudantechinus has increased Atticus Fleming after the removal of cattle and the implementation Chief Executive of an appropriate fire management regime by AWC. PS. Please consider making a donation to the acquisition of Wongalara. It is a stunning property that protects a range of and ecosystems not found on any other AWC properties. australian wildlife conservancy PO Box 1897 West Perth 6872 Ph: +61 8 9226 0340 www.australianwildlife.org

 AWC named Environmentalist of the Year

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has been honoured with the nation’s most prestigious award for conservation – the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award.

The award recognises AWC’s AWC Directors and staff receive the award outstanding contribution to the protection of Australia’s threatened Mornington named as one of Australia’s wildlife and ecosystems. AWC owns, and manages for conservation, more “Top 10” new nature reserves land than any other non-government AWC’s largest property, Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, has been named as one of the conservation organisation in Australia. Top 10 nature reserves of the last decade. However, AWC does not measure its success by the number of properties The award was announced in early November by World Wildlife Fund – Australia or hectares. A more important statistic (WWF) and the Federal Minister for the Environment, Senator the Hon Ian Campbell. In for AWC is the fact our sanctuaries now addition to being named as one of Australia’s “Top 10” new reserves, Mornington was protect more than 55% of all Australian identified as the ‘non-government organisation reserve of the decade’. Other reserves mammal species and more than 60% in the “Top 10” included Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay). of all Australian bird species. Determined on the basis of independent scientific advice, the award recognises Another important measure of AWC’s the importance of Mornington to the conservation of Australia’s endangered wildlife success is the fact that populations of and ecosystems. The property protects more than 312,000 hectares of the Central threatened species at our sanctuaries Kimberley bioregion, an area recognised by the Australian Government as a very are increasing, including species high priority for conservation, and provides a critical refuge for over 200 bird species, such as the Bilby, the and the nearly 100 species of reptiles and amphibians and an estimated 40 mammal species. Banded Hare-. This includes threatened species such as the Gouldian Finch, the Red Goshawk and In addition to celebrating AWC’s the Northern . ‘on-ground’ achievements, the The WWF award is wonderful recognition for Mornington and for the efforts of all AWC Environmentalist of the Year Award supporters who have helped protect such an important part of our natural heritage. also acknowledges AWC’s leadership More information on the award and the accompanying WWF analysis can be found at in helping to establish a new model for www.wwf.org.au conservation in Australia. In the past, responsibility for the management of protected areas has resided almost exclusively with government agencies. A new model is now emerging under which private sector (non-profit) organisations, such as AWC, are playing a greater role in the management of protected areas. AWC received the Environmentalist of the Year Award at the annual Banksia Foundation Awards Dinner in Melbourne. It was a great night for all AWC supporters. Your support and involvement is building an organisation that makes a difference where it really counts – in the field! AWC thanks all of its supporters. The award reflects your generous support for AWC. Thank you also to State and Federal Governments who have provided invaluable assistance. B. Pratten Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary Ecopix Wongalara Protecting the wildlife of northern Australia

A feature of Wongalara is its pristine wetlands Ecopix Hooded Parrot M. Morcombe

As this edition of Wildlife Matters of the and birds that are in a wave of extinctions is likely to occur in goes to print, Australian Wildlife decline across northern Australia. northern Australia. Conservancy (AWC) is striving to raise The exceptional conservation values Wongalara was on the open market the funds required for the acquisition of Wongalara are summarised on the when AWC commenced negotiations and management of Wongalara. When following page. As indicated above, for its acquisition. Several pastoralists the transfer is complete, Wongalara will the property is home to several bird made offers to purchase the property. If become AWC’s 15th wildlife sanctuary. and mammal species that do not occur it had been sold to pastoral interests, the AWC will then own and manage for on any other AWC sanctuaries. These property would have been developed conservation more than 1.1 million include species which are endemic to – more roads, more fences and more hectares (around 2.7 million acres). a small area of the Top End, such as cattle. There is no doubt that such a the Kakadu and the Hooded scenario would seriously damage many Wongalara itself is more than 191,000 Parrot. Wongalara is therefore important of the habitats on Wongalara and would hectares (472,000 acres), meaning it because it represents perhaps the lead to a significant loss of wildlife. will become one of the nation’s largest last opportunity for AWC to protect In the face of this threat, AWC has non-government nature reserves. Its populations of these species. secured an opportunity to aquire location – on the edge of Arnhem Wongalara and protect its wildlife for Land and less than 120 kilometres future generations. However, we need from – is of great The threat to Wongalara your help to complete the acquisition strategic significance to AWC. It helps fill and its wildlife and protect this stunning property. a gap in our conservation estate across northern Australia (see map on page There is now substantial scientific Thank you to the Australian Government 16), protecting animals and habitats evidence indicating that northern for its generous grant of $2.1 million from that are not found on any of AWC’s other Australia is on the verge of a biodiversity the National Reserve System program to properties and, in some cases, that crisis. For example, small mammals, assist with the purchase of Wongalara. are not found in any government seed-eating birds and fire-sensitive Thank you also to all of our supporters National Parks. plants are in serious decline. Many who have already donated to the species have disappeared from large Rugged escarpments, pristine wild Wongalara campaign. In total, AWC has areas of their former range. rivers and steep gorges ensure that (at the time of writing this newsletter) Wongalara showcases the exciting Feral animals, altered fire regimes raised more than $3.7 million, landscape features typical of northern and the impacts of cattle grazing are including the grant from the Australian Australia. However, it is the intricate the primary reasons for the decline Government. We have made very good and complex pattern of ecosystems, in wildlife populations. The need for progress in a relatively short period with fine-scale variation and numerous action to address these threats is of time. “refugial” habitats, that is of greatest now urgent. Unless we can save However, we still need to raise another interest to AWC. Such diversity is places like Wongalara, and develop $1.6 million to provide for the acquisition important for wildlife, including many strategies to address the key threats, and management of Wongalara.

 Lancewood forest Ecopix Removing feral Buffalo will be a management priority Ecopix

The significance of Wongalara for conservation

The acquisition of Wongalara for conservation is important for the following reasons: • Wongalara occurs in a Bioregion (a biologically distinct region) which has a very low percentage of land in formal Government National Parks. Wongalara therefore helps fill a critical ‘gap’ in the conservation estate of northern Australia. • The property contains a suite of ecosystems (including 4 broad vegetation types) that are not protected in any National Parks. • The property also protects an additional 4 ecosystems that are listed Antilopine Wallaroo S. Murphy as threatened - monsoon patches, wetlands, sandstone A feature of Wongalara is its pristine wetlands Hooded Parrot communities and riverine vegetation. How you can help save • Wongalara is a ‘hotspot’ for the wildlife of northern Australia, being home Wongalara and its wildlife to a large number of Australia’s mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians including: 1. Make a tax deductible donation - over 200 bird species; and to AWC. - an estimated 40 mammal species. At an acquisition cost of $20.70 • There are several threatened species which find refuge on the property, per hectare, your donation will make as well as a number of listed migratory species. Threatened species a real difference. are likely to include the Gouldian Finch, the Northern Quoll, the Crested • Your donation of $100 will pay for Shrike-tit, the Red Goshawk and the Masked Owl. the acquisition of 5 hectares • Wongalara is home to several endemic species, such as the Kakadu (12 acres) of tropical woodlands. Dunnart and the Hooded Parrot, which are found only in a small area of • Your donation of $300 will pay for the the Top End. acquisition of 15 hectares (35 acres) • Wongalara protects over 55 kilometres of two major ‘wild rivers’, the Wilton of a pristine wetland. and Mainoru. • Your donation of $5,000 will pay for • Wongalara will be the first ‘private sector’ acquisition for conservation in the acquisition of over 240 hectares the ‘Top End’ (the northern part of the Northern Territory), thus pioneering (600 acres) of rugged escarpment an important new model for conservation. and gorge country.

If you donate $300 or more, or make a monthly pledge of $25 or more, AWC will send you a certificate to commemorate your donation.

2. Make a donation on behalf of a friend or family member as a Christmas gift. For gifts of $300 or more we will send out a commemorative certificate identifying the number of hectares saved.

3. Distribute Wongalara brochures at your place of work, your business or at a dinner party! Please contact Debbie Attard Portughes on 08 9226 0340 or [email protected] for more information.

 Wongalara landscape Ecopix Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary In search of treasures: mapping rare and threatened species on Mornington

Dr Sarah Legge, AWC’s Manager of Conservation and Science for northern Australia, provides an update on AWC’s remarkable program to map all of the populations of rare and threatened species across a huge area of the Kimberley. Mornington is a vast property, stretching across 3,500 square kilometres of the rugged Central Kimberley. Managing a remote area of this size is an enormous challenge. It requires a dedicated team of field- based staff with an intimate knowledge of the property and its habitats. At Mornington, perhaps the most critical information for AWC is the location of habitats where rare, Refugial on Mornington Ecopix declining or isolated populations of species find refuge. the Rock Ringtail Possum and the Obtaining this knowledge is not easy Short-eared Rock-wallaby – both - many animals that live in the tropical animals haunt the fissures of sheer savannas have experienced massive sandstone escarpments that overlook range contractions in the past few the rivers, gorges and plains of the decades and now cling to survival in Kimberley landscape. isolated and diminished populations. In early 2006, AWC committed itself One group of animals that has declined to the daunting task of identifying where all the declining, rare and vulnerable significantly is a group that lives only in Hayley, one of AWC’s riparian survey team K. Maute the thin strips of lush vegetation along wildlife populations are on Mornington. the edges of creeks. Across northern The sheer size of Mornington, coupled Australia, these ‘riparian’ communities with the fact that most of the property Riparian odysseys have been substantially degraded in is inaccessible by vehicle, presented During each riparian survey, the recent decades from trampling by stock a significant hurdle. However, whereas chopper dropped a member of the and frequent widespread fires. cars are a recent invention, legs have been in existence for at least one million intrepid team (kitted out with dry biscuits, An increase in frequent widespread years! By combining the evolutionary peanut butter, a satellite phone and a fires has also had disastrous effects innovation of legs with the twentieth huge grin) at the headwaters of a creek. away from creeks, and may be largely century inspiration of an R44 chopper, After walking downstream for up to 4 days, responsible for the decline in many we hatched a plan to mount this we were picked up again by the chopper of our native mammals, including the exhaustive survey. All we needed were with a few dozen kilometres under their endangered Northern Quoll and the a few stoic assistants (with legs) and a weary feet and a heap of valuable data in vulnerable Golden Bandicoot, as well as visionary supporter. In a matter of a few our notebooks. Along the length of these some of our flora, such as the northern weeks, these elements came together creeks, we mapped the location of all Cypress Pine. and, in late April 2006, we embarked riparian and all escarpment specialists. Many animals and plants of northern on our mission to survey every inch of This includes threatened species like Australia now survive only in areas that every creek on Mornington (over 600km) Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens and Buff- provide a natural refuge from large fires. for riparian and rock escarpment sided Robins, as well as non-threatened Other animals naturally exist as specialists, and to rack up over 7000 species like Crimson Finches and Short- isolated populations because they trap-nights at a dozen or so of the most eared Rock-. We also mapped are restricted to habitat that occurs far-flung and fire-protected areas of the the locations of suitable habitat for each in discrete patches. Examples include property in search of rare mammals. of these species. And finally, to make the

 Dingo encounter during riparian survey S. Legge Dropping AWC staff at a refugial site Ecopix

most out of these massive transects that The quest for the quoll But the effort was worth it: we turned we cut through the property, we censused up several populations of our holy grail for key indicator species (including the The Northern Quoll is one of the most – the endangered Northern Quoll. endangered mammals of the tropical endangered Gouldian Finch) and made This stunning and vibrant creature has savannas and was one of the target copious notes on the whereabouts of any disappeared from vast parts of its former species that we particularly wanted to other unusual creature (such as Sugar range, weakened first by a change in locate in our search for rare species. Gliders). We collected plant specimens fire patterns, and then hit again by the Our first step was to identify, using for our herbarium, and recorded the invasion front of cane toads. To find archived satellite imagery, the areas of locations of weeds, feral cattle and good numbers of at Mornington Mornington that have escaped the worst donkeys. highlights the vital importance of this ravages of fire in previous years. It was These walks turned into a wildlife property for the conservation of northern here, in these “refugial” areas, that we odyssey for each of us, picking our way Australia’s threatened wildlife. hoped to find the quoll and other rare between the fragrant spinifex and thick animals. Having pinpointed the refugial creekside scrub, trying not to crush areas, the ‘riparian reconnoiter’ team the carpet of wildflowers underfoot, transformed itself into the ‘trapping clambering along escarpments troupe’, with pairs of people deposited cloaked in figs and reeking of Rock by Butch (the chopper pilot) at each Ringtail latrines, and edging gingerly site, armed once again with the same past bewildered bulls. We know these peanut butter and biscuits, sat phone walks are a privilege, as many years and grin. This time, though, the peanut have passed since humans last moved butter went into the traps as bait for small through this landscape. mammals, swirled through a sumptuous The task is almost complete (see medley of rolled oats, honey, vanilla map). Once the odyssey is over, as well essence and fish sauce. The troupe as knowing where every population of stayed out for a demanding six days riparian and escarpment specialist is at a time, checking traps, spotlighting, Northern Quoll within Mornington, we will also be able to and carrying out vegetation surveys. compare the distributions of threatened with non-threatened creek specialists,

which will help us understand what Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary makes some species more vulnerable than others. For example, we are already noting that Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens are often missing from patches of habitat that appear incredibly suitable for them (they relish large stands of pandanus beside deep pools). Crimson Finches love the same pandanus thickets, and we find them in a greater number of suitable habitat patches. Perhaps they are better dispersers, so whereas they can use patches that are widely spaced, the Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens can only make use of a restricted subset. This issue is one of a raft of questions that will be tackled by a new AWC led project (beginning early next year) that aims to understand the dispersal behaviour, landscape dispersion and population genetics of species, like the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, that live in isolated fragments.

 Biodiversity Research at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary

As well as providing much-needed • The dispersal and long-term viability office space, the new centre contains of fragmented populations. all the standard equipment used in • The effect of different burning ecological fieldwork as well as some patterns on an indicator species, the special ‘high tech’ equipment. The really Red-backed Fairy-wren. exciting news is that the WildlifeLink At least three PhD students will be Research Centre has a genetics lab based at Mornington next year to capable of carrying out fundamental implement the AWC-led projects. In techniques such as DNA extraction, addition, there are a range of other PCR amplification, and electrophoresis. research projects being undertaken AWC field staff at the new WildlifeLink Centre S. Murphy This means AWC can do genetic by visiting researchers working in analyses onsite, without having to make collaboration with AWC. These projects, WildlifeLink Research lengthy and costly trips to labs in the some of which are summarised and Conservation Centre major cities. Such technology will be below, highlight the emerging role an invaluable tool for many projects at of Mornington as a centre for wildlife For the past three years, the research Mornington – for example, to examine research in northern Australia. and conservation program at Mornington the conservation genetics of isolated has been housed in a 12 metre by 3 populations of species such as the The conservation of metre second-hand demountable. At Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens. times, up to 10 staff, volunteers and With the WildlifeLink Centre as our Freshwater Turtles visiting researchers have vied for space new base, AWC’s research program Dr Nancy FitzSimmons (University in this tiny building. Outside these cosy is set to expand in 2006. In addition of Canberra) and Dr Tony Tucker quarters, people have lived in tents, to our existing projects addressing (Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida) visit using a shared kitchen and bathroom destocking and the effect of fire Mornington each year with a team of area that is regularly flooded during and grazing on seed-eating birds, new Earthwatch volunteers to study the the wet season. It is a measure of the projects will address: ecology of freshwater turtles (both dedication of AWC’s Mornington team • The interaction of fire and cat the Red-faced Turtle, and the Long- and our volunteers and assistants that on small mammals. necked Turtle). so much was being achieved despite

the lack of adequate facilities. Purple-crowned Fairy-wren S. Murphy However, our research and conservation facilities have now been transformed as a result of the generous support of the WildlifeLink program of the Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation. The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation has funded the construction of a brand new research centre at Mornington, including new office and lab space, and accommodation facilities. The WildlifeLink Mornington Research and Conservation Centre was officially opened by Gail Baker, the Chair of the Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation, in July 2006. The establishment of the WildlifeLink Centre is one of the most exciting developments of the year for AWC. As the only field research centre in the Kimberley, the WildlifeLink Centre is set to play a pivotal role in saving the wildlife of the Kimberley and northern Australia.

 Biodiversity Research at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary

How does speciation The conservation of the occur? Antilopine Wallaroo Dr Mike Webster, (Washington State The work of PhD student Euan University), is using the Red-backed Ritchie (James Cook University) seeks Fairy-wren to examine how natural and to understand why the Antilopine sexual selection promote geographic Wallaroo has declined throughout variation among populations and northern Australia, and to suggest thus speciation. He measures what restorative management. In a recent females ‘choose’ in males (eg. the survey of over a dozen Kimberley redness of the back or the length of properties, Euan found that Mornington the ), how this affects male supported the highest density of this morphology and behaviour, and how this elegant macropod. process differs between Queensland and the Kimberley. Population biogeographic

history of grass finches Ross Knowles and a Magnificent Tree Frog Ecopix Sexual selection in the Rodrigo Esparza-Salas (James Cook Purple-crowned Fairy-wren University) is carrying out his PhD A team from the Max-Planck Institute research on whether grass finches, in Germany is investigating how including Gouldian Finches, show individuals in this species choose their signs of population genetic structuring mates. Often, females choose males across tropical Australia. This sort of on the basis of ornaments (in the case information is critical for reintroduction of these wrens, bright purple feathers decisions and reserve design. and a complicated song) that convey honest information about the quality of How vulnerable are that male. The puzzle for evolutionary Rock Ringtail Possums? biologists is why these ornaments are still variable amongst males – one would Jessica Berryman (University of expect selection to weed out ‘inferior’ Hawaii) is undertaking her PhD on males, leaving only individuals who all the ecology and population genetics have ‘high quality’ ornaments. of Rock Ringtail Possums. Jessica is examining, inter alia, the role of fire in Rodrigo and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin R. Esparza-Salas Frog ecology local extinctions of this species. Associate Professor Michael Mahoney (University of Newcastle) and his colleague Ross Knowles collected information on the distribution and abundance of several species of frogs at Mornington, as part of Michael’s work revising the classification of Australo-Papuan hylid frogs. Dr Paul Doughty (WA Museum) visited Mornington to survey the poorly-known frog fauna of the Kimberley. Paul found six species of frog that had not been recorded at Mornington before, including five that represent large range extensions.

 Red-faced Turtle A. Dudley Brooklyn Wildlife Sanctuary New conservation agreement a model for private land in Queensland

n June 2006, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) entered Iinto a conservation agreement with the Queensland Minister for the Environment, securing formal protection for Brooklyn under Queensland environment legislation.

The effect of the agreement is to at Brooklyn which was attended by The rare Yellow-naped Snake captured at Brooklyn place a covenant on the title of Brooklyn the then Queensland Minister for the Photo: Eric Vanderduys, CSIRO Wildlife Sanctuary, providing a statutory Environment, the Hon Desley Boyle, and guarantee that the property will be the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, managed for conservation in perpetuity. the Hon Bob Baldwin MP (representing Meanwhile, biological the Australian Government, which The conservation agreement, which surveys reveal more of provided a grant to AWC for the builds on a similar agreement in force Brooklyn’s stunning acquisition of Brooklyn). Other special over Mt Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary, guests included many of our neighbours, wildlife … represents a significant step in the volunteers and local supporters. ongoing development of a framework for An active program of biological survey private sector conservation in Australia. The negotiation and execution of the and exploration is being carried out in the , woodlands and savanna Brooklyn now enjoys protection under agreement highlights AWC’s leadership habitats on Brooklyn. This program the same legislation which governs in the development of a secure legal framework for the long-term protection continues to uncover additional, the declaration and protection of of private conservation areas, similar exciting information about the property, Queensland national parks. The to the statutory protection enjoyed by enhancing its reputation as a property conservation agreement therefore government national parks. It is an of unparalleled biological diversity. provides AWC donors and supporters important part of the emergence of • AWC and CSIRO have joined forces with an assurance that their investment private sector (non-profit) conservation to conduct a biological survey and in Brooklyn is ‘secure’ because the in Australia. monitoring program at more than agreement delivers additional legal 50 sites across Brooklyn. An initial and political protection for the property. AWC thanks the Australian survey, conducted at the time the Mt Zero-Taravale is currently the only Government and the Queensland sites were established, identified a other pastoral lease in Queensland Government for a grant of $70,000 to wide range of species. The highlights which enjoys this level of protection. assist in the management of Brooklyn included the capture of a rare reptile, The conservation agreement was under the Green Assist (Biodiversity the Yellow-naped Snake. signed during a special ceremony Incentives Tender) program. • As this newsletter goes to print, the first team of Earthwatch volunteers is settling in at Brooklyn to assist CSIRO and AWC with the biological survey program at Brooklyn. If you wish to join next year’s Earthwatch team at Brooklyn, visit www.earthwatch.com.au • A botanical survey of the property is being carried out by Jeanette Kemp, an AWC volunteer and a senior employee of the Queensland Herbarium. While her survey work and analysis is not yet complete, Jeanette has identified an extraordinary 896 native vascular plants on Brooklyn. The list is sure to increase, but already we know that Brooklyn is home to more than 11% of all Queensland’s vascular plant species – a stunning statistic for a single property. 10 Brooke Bateman, PhD student, James Cook University, setting cage traps for on the edge of the wet sclerophyll forest at Brooklyn Photo: Alex Kutt, CSIRO … and AWC continues Buckaringa Wildlife to deliver practical, on- Sanctuary ground land management Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary In order to protect the wildlife at occupies 2,000 hectares of the southern Brooklyn, and the diversity of habitats Flinders Ranges, approximately 30 that support Brooklyn’s wildlife, AWC kilometres north of Quorn. Dominated The rare Yellow-naped Snake captured at Brooklyn by two spectacular gorges – Buckaringa Photo: Eric Vanderduys, CSIRO is implementing an active program of practical land management. In recent Gorge and Middle Gorge – the property months, some of the priority actions is home to several populations of the have included: nationally threatened Yellow-footed • Carrying out prescribed burns Rock-wallaby. across the property, in order to The Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby has create a mosaic of burnt and unburnt declined across its range because of areas which will help reduce the risk the impact of introduced predators, of extensive wildfires late in the dry such as the fox, and the effect of exotic season. , including feral goats. At • The erection of additional fencing to Buckaringa, AWC is implementing a secure Brooklyn’s boundary against range of actions to help provide a more Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby incursions by cattle. The fence will secure future for this beautiful animal: also prevent unauthorised access by • Habitat restoration: A major land The outcomes of such research will help trespassers who have, in the past, restoration project has been inform management action to ensure the caused significant damage to areas undertaken, with the removal of growth and long-term viability of Rock- along the Mitchell River. artificial dam walls constructed by wallaby populations at Buckaringa and • The culling of 118 wild horses. Horses the previous owner across the creeks elsewhere throughout its range. cause severe damage to ecosystems running into Middle and Buckaringa on Brooklyn if not controlled. Gorges. The natural flow of water AWC’s research will focus on the • Weed control – a team of student into the gorges will now be restored, following issues: volunteers successfully removed ensuring that permanent springs 1. Defining the size, composition and lantana and other weeds at key sites and semi-permanent waterholes location of all rock-wallaby colonies around Brooklyn. remain a feature of the gorges. The on Buckaringa. plants associated with these springs 2. Identifying the factors determining and waterholes provide important colony size and composition. resources for the Yellow-footed Rock- 3. Determining the current population wallaby population. trends and their cause. • Feral animal control: AWC is Implementation of the research project implementing practical measures will require a practical and innovative to reduce the impact of feral goats, approach by AWC: a new cage trap as well as predators such as foxes. suitable for the Yellow-footed Rock- A culling and baiting program has wallaby will need to be designed and resulted in the removal of many foxes built; a new radio-collar, incorporating in recent months, and the eradication a GPS data logger, will be used for the of more than 950 goats. Work has first time on a rock-wallaby species; commenced on the establishment and extensive genetic material will be of a 23 kilometre goat-resistant collected and analysed (to determine fence, with an initial 2 kilometres the extent of relatedness within and constructed by volunteers. between colonies). AWC is also set to commence a significant research project designed to Thank you to the volunteer rangers enhance understanding of the ecology who have generously invested their of the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby and time and effort in helping to implement the processes that threaten its survival. our work program at Buckaringa.

11 Queensland Environment Minister Desley Boyle and The Hon Bob Baldwin at Brooklyn J. Gearn Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary J. Bentley

In June 2006, the title to Newhaven Newhaven contains an impressive 270 have been culled already by AWC). was formally transferred from Birds range of habitat types. A landscape function analysis will also Australia to Australian Wildlife A critical element of AWC’s approach be undertaken at each site to evaluate Conservancy (AWC). Birds Australia will to the stewardship of a property factors such as the circulation of scarce continue to work with AWC at Newhaven, like Newhaven is to measure the nutrients in the landscape. The first especially in relation to the design and effectiveness of our management over comprehensive monitoring program will implementation of bird conservation time. We aim to do this by monitoring, occur in 2007. The sites should reveal measures. However, responsibility at periodic intervals, relevant measures valuable baseline data on the diversity for the day to day management of such as the population of indicator of wildlife at Newhaven: we are certain Newhaven now rests with AWC. to discover species, especially reptiles, species and various attributes of that have not previously been recorded key habitats. While the habitats on Newhaven are at Newhaven. It will be an exciting generally in good condition, there are At Newhaven, we have commenced time, providing a snapshot of the land significant, on going land management this process by establishing 57 against which we can measure future issues that must be addressed, monitoring sites across the property. responses to fire management and feral including fire management and feral The monitoring sites have been located animal control. animal control. Over time, AWC’s aim is in a way that seeks to capture a sample to deliver, through active management, of all habitat types within Newhaven, a measurable improvement in the health taking into account the complex fire of the landscape and its habitats and history of the property. the populations of rare species such as At each monitoring site, AWC will the Bilby. undertake pitfall trapping (for catching reptiles and mammals), bird survey Establishing biodiversity transects and Elliott and cage trapping monitoring sites for small and medium sized mammals. Newhaven occupies over 2,620 A vegetation quadrat will be established square kilometres (262,000 hectares) of to characterise the condition and age central Australia, making it the second structure of plant communities (eg, this largest non-government reserve will help evaluate how plants respond Volunteers establishing monitoring sites J. McClelland in Australia. Within its boundaries, to a reduction in camel numbers – over

12 Monitoring endangered mammals J. Rockliff Bilbies arrive from Queensland R. Booth

The installation of 57 monitoring sites Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary was a huge undertaking, with each site containing twelve pitfall traps that must At Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, in western NSW, be dug more than 60 centimetres into the AWC is establishing the largest fox and cat-free area on ground. To assist in this process, a crew of thirteen enthusiastic volunteers were mainland Australia. recruited to work with AWC ecologists. The Seven threatened mammal species associated with the translocation of volunteer team put in an amazing effort have already been released into Stage any endangered species. – long hard days, dominated by some 1 of the feral-free area (4,000 hectares • AWC has recently reached another serious crowbar work when digging pitfall or 10,000 acres). It is a project that Sir milestone in the establishment of the traps in calcrete, gypsum and clay flats. David Attenborough has described as largest feral predator-free area on As a consolation, the volunteers were kept “a vitally important project for Australia the Australian mainland. The feral- company by Australian Bustards, Pied, and the planet”. An update on key proof fence around ‘Stage 2’ (4,000 Black and Grey-headed Honeyeaters, outcomes during the last few months is hectares) has been completed. Crimson Chats and an abundance of other set out in the following paragraphs. The focus is now on removal of birdlife, as well as basking Thorny Devils • The Greater Stick-nest population all foxes, cats and rabbits from and other reptiles. After three weeks, the at Scotia continues to consolidate. within Stage 2, a process which is volunteers had ventured into areas seldom Tracks are regularly observed and visited and installed an impressive network expected to take at least another some of the animals are known to have of sites. However, with more than 30 6 months. ‘paired up’. AWC’s field staff at Scotia additional sites still to be installed, we are • AWC and the Queensland Parks will undertake formal monitoring of looking for volunteers for the next trip … and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have the new population in the coming conducted an exchange of Bilbies Moles and Great months. As reported in the April 2006 as part of a collaborative effort edition of Wildlife Matters, several to promote the survival of the Desert Skinks recorded Stick-nest died in the first few species. Two Bilbies were flown Specialised survey techniques need weeks after release: post mortems from Queensland to Scotia to to be adopted to detect the presence of have revealed that the cause of enhance the genetic diversity of the some species. The elusive and cryptic death was pneumonia, probably Scotia population. In return, AWC Marsupial Mole is one such animal. Listed due to immune system dysfunction has provided 8 female Bilbies to as nationally endangered, the Marsupial related to the stress of translocation. QPWS to participate in a captive Mole is seldom seen because it leads an This highlights the significant risks breeding program. almost exclusively subterranean lifestyle. However, its presence can be detected by digging ‘mole trenches’. Several mole trenches were dug at Newhaven by AWC staff and volunteers and, to the excitement of all, clear signs of mole activity were detected in one trench. Widespread searches using the trench technique will be undertaken in future. Another nationally threatened species, the Great Desert Skink, has also been recorded at Newhaven in recent months. Measuring up to 40 centimetres in length, and living communally in , detailed mapping of the Desert Skink population on Newhaven will occur in the near future.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who

have worked so tirelessly at Newhaven. Vegetation communities on Newhaven

13 Mt Gibson

Wildlife Sanctuary Preparing cat baits DEC

Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary At Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary, a different strategy is being employed to address the impact of feral predators. As we do at Scotia, AWC utilises a feral-proof fence to exclude foxes, cats and rabbits. The feral-free area at Yookamurra is 1,100 hectares and contains populations of the Greater Bilby (the western form) as well as the Numbat, the and the Burrowing Bettong. In order to enhance the level of AWC plans to reintroduce the Western Barred Bandicoot to Mt Gibson J & M Lochman security offered to these vulnerable mammals, AWC has modified the fence In the April 2006 edition of Wildlife cat and fox tracks, with sand pads (originally built by Earth Sanctuaries Matters, we reported on the launch of located every 500 metres. In total, 41 Limited) by making it a ‘floppy top’ a collaborative project involving AWC, sets of individual cat tracks and 20 fence, reinforced by electric wires. the Western Australian Department of foxes were recorded. Thank you to the volunteers who have Environment and Conservation and • Later in July 2006, 70,000 baits helped with this project, which will the Invasive Animals Cooperative were dropped throughout Mt Gibson provide significantly greater protection Research Centre. The primary objective Wildlife Sanctuary and on adjacent for the threatened mammals at of the project is to develop a bait that crown land. Yookamurra. will control both foxes and feral cats. • In August 2006, soon after baiting, These introduced predators have been another cat and fox survey was AWC offers a public education responsible for the loss of small-medium conducted. Only 1 cat track and program at Yookamurra, hosting school sized native mammals throughout 1 fox track was recorded on the same visits throughout the year. A visit to mainland Australia. Currently, there 78 kilometres of transects. Yookamurra represents an outstanding is no effective bait to eradicate cats. • In October 2006, the 78 kilometres of opportunity for primary and secondary The absence of such a bait severely transects was surveyed again. This school children to learn about Australia’s limits the prospects for successfully time, there were no fox tracks and no native wildlife in a wonderful bushland re-establishing threatened mammals cat tracks. setting. Details of our new education on mainland Australia, except in fenced • At the end of September 2006, a program are on the AWC website areas (such as at Scotia, Karakamia second survey of small mammals was (www.australianwildlife.org). and Yookamurra). conducted. On this occasion, 121 A summary of progress to date small native mammals were captured. is set out below: It is far too early to draw any firm • A baseline survey of native species conclusions. The results to date are was conducted in June 2006, prior to promising, suggesting that the new cat baiting for cats and foxes. 77 small bait may be effective at reducing feral native mammals were captured at 12 cat numbers and, as a consequence, monitoring sites. allowing small native mammal • In July 2006, a baseline (pre- populations to recover. However, a great baiting) survey of cats and foxes deal more work needs to be done to was conducted. The survey was determine the extent of its effectiveness, conducted along a series of transects including whether it is effective over an extending in total for 78 kilometres. extended period and across different The survey method involves counting conditions (seasons, etc).

14 Upgrading the feral exclusion fence M. Pohl Wildlife Sanctuary Endangered mammals thrive on AWC’s island sanctuary

Greater Stick-nest monitoring program continues, watch for updates on our website and in future Rats airlifted from South newsletters. Australia Thank you to the WA and SA In 2001, an ambitious plan was Governments for assistance with the formulated by AWC staff working with translocation. a team of threatened species experts including scientists from CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Annual survey reveals Conservation and Land Management. The endangered mammals Mouse J & M Lochman plan proposed the release of 5 nationally threatened species on AWC’s world are thriving heritage-listed Faure Island, transforming In July 2006, AWC’s annual survey of a pastoral lease dominated by feral goats Faure Island reinforced the outstanding and cats into one of the world’s most value of this unique island for Australia’s important wildlife sanctuaries. threatened mammals. All four species In September 2006, that plan was of threatened mammals that had been realised when the Greater Stick-nest Rat reintroduced prior to the 2006 survey became the fifth threatened mammal – the , Shark Bay Mouse, species released on Faure Island. A Banded Hare-wallaby and Western total of 22 Stick-nest Rats were released: Barred Bandicoot – are thriving on 16 from St Peters Island off the coast this world heritage-listed, feral predator- of and a further 6 from free haven. Salutation Island (Western Australia). The Boodies, or Burrowing Bettongs, Banded Hare-wallaby J & M Lochman The Stick-nest Rats settled into have been particularly successful. the breakaway country, which Seventeen Boodies were initially In addition to the success of the contains the chenopod shrublands that translocated in 2002 and the population Boodies, 104 Shark Bay Mice, 17 are their preferred food source. As with has increased dramatically. Over a nine Western Barred Bandicoots and three our translocation of Stick-nest Rats to day period during our 2006 annual Banded Hare-wallabies were captured Scotia, there has been some mortality in survey, over 260 individual Boodies during the annual survey. The reason the early stages of the release including were captured in an array of cage traps that the capture rate of the latter two one rat that was taken by a Brown that covered the island. A population species was relatively low was that Falcon. AWC is, however, confident estimate based on capture, mark and most traps were filled with ‘trap-happy’ that Faure Island will soon be home to recapture of individuals suggested Boodies, many of which were caught a secure and expanding population that up to 400 Boodies now call Faure up to three nights in a row! During of the Greater Stick-nest Rat. As our Island home. subsequent trapping of Banded Hare- wallabies in September, all females which were caught had pouch young, indicating good breeding success for this highly endangered animal. AWC staff also sighted four new bird species on the island, including the Chiming Wedgebill, Sooty Oystercatcher, Painted Button-quail and Grey Shrike Thrush. Australian Bustards, usually a rare sight in Shark Bay, were commonly sighted and are thought to have increased in number with the removal of goats and sheep from the island.

15 Faure Island J & M Lochman Sugar Glider 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Drawing Arrangements: Our Commitmentto australian wildlife - ReplyPaid conservancy 1897 West Perth WA 6872 Phone: 08 9226 0340www.australianwildlife.org Please post thisform to: Signa Cardho Credit Card Details E-mail: Telepho Address: Name: Australian WildlifeConservancy(“our”,“we”or“us”), Your Agreement DirectDebitClientService we urgently needyour help I single taxdeductible I amunabletogivemonthlybutwouldlikemakea Dona I each I wish to become a regular supporter and give a tax deductible donationMonthl summarizing yourentireyear’s giftsfortaxpurposes. to youraccount. Financial Institution,privateandconfidential. Financial Institutionandtoarrangewithyouanalternative paymentmethod. ifthreeor more drawingsarereturnedunpaidbyyournominated Conservancy your priorapproval. next workingday. made onthe15thdayofeachmonth(orpartthereofasspecified). least 3calendardayspriortothefirstdrawing.Thereaftereachdrawingwillbe (amount,frequency,Australian WildlifeConservancy commencementdate)at We will sendareceiptwithin45daysoftheconclusion financialyear We will promptlyrespondtoanyconcernsyoumayhaveabout amountsdebited We willkeepallinformationpertainingtoyournominatedaccountatthe We therighttocancelyourmonthlydonation Australian Wildlife reserve We willnotchangetheamountorfrequencyofdrawingsarrangementswithout Where theduedatefallsonanon-businessday, thedrawingwillbemadeon We willadviseyou,inwriting,thedetailsofyourmonthlydonationto wish topay wish topay Mastercard Card Number Card ture:

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