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Report Template A Strategic Framework for the Reconstruction and Conservation of the Vertebrate Fauna of Dirk Hartog Island 2017 – 2030 Keith Morris, Manda Page, Neil Thomas and Kym Ottewell Science and Conservation Division January 2017 i Department of Parks and Wildlife Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 www.dpaw.wa.gov.au © Department of Parks and Wildlife on behalf of the State of Western Australia, January 2017 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. This report was prepared by Keith Morris, Manda Page, Neil Thomas and Kym Ottewell. Questions regarding the use of this material should be directed to: Animal Science Program Leader Science and Conservation Division Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: 08 94055159, 0400 746 645 Email: [email protected] The recommended reference for this publication is: Morris K, Page M, Thomas N, Ottewell K (2017) A strategic framework for the reconstruction and conservation of the vertebrate fauna of Dirk Hartog Island 2016 - 2030. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: urls in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the url please do not include the full point. Cover photograph: Dirk Hartog Island looking south from Quoin Bluff, by Keith Morris (Parks and Wildlife). ii Department of Parks and Wildlife A Strategic Framework for the Reconstruction and Conservation of the Vertebrate Fauna of Dirk Hartog Island 2017 - 2033 Contents 1 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 3 2 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 3 3 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4 4 Vision .............................................................................................................................. 6 5 Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefit Fund ................................................... 6 6 Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 7 7 Administrative Framework ............................................................................................... 7 8 Planning the Translocations ............................................................................................ 8 8.1 Potential species for translocation............................................................................. 8 8.2 Selection of species for translocation ........................................................................ 9 8.2.1 Species for translocation for conservation purposes ........................................ 9 8.2.2 Species for translocation for fauna reconstruction purposes ............................ 9 8.3 Translocation timing and order ................................................................................ 10 8.4 Selection of source populations .............................................................................. 11 8.5 Selection of Dirk Hartog Island release sites ........................................................... 12 8.5.1 Suitable habitat .............................................................................................. 12 8.5.2 Species interaction and competition ............................................................... 12 8.5.3 Distance to support infrastructure .................................................................. 12 8.5.4 Track access .................................................................................................. 12 8.5.5 Physical barriers ............................................................................................. 12 8.5.6 Elevated areas ............................................................................................... 13 8.5.7 Management of potential hazards .................................................................. 13 8.5.8 Freehold land ................................................................................................. 13 9 Undertaking the translocations ...................................................................................... 13 9.1 Capture / collection of founder animals ................................................................... 13 9.2 Transport to Dirk Hartog Island ............................................................................... 13 9.3 Release on Dirk Hartog Island ................................................................................ 14 9.4 Monitoring of source populations ............................................................................ 14 9.5 Monitoring of translocated populations .................................................................... 14 10 Measures of success .................................................................................................... 14 11 Reporting ...................................................................................................................... 15 12 Research opportunities ................................................................................................ 15 1 Department of Park and Wildlife A Strategic Framework for the Reconstruction and Conservation of the Vertebrate Fauna of Dirk Hartog Island 2017 - 2033 13 References ................................................................................................................... 17 Glossary ............................................................................................................................ 20 Tables Table 1 Status of native mammal fauna on Dirk Hartog Island ......................................... 21 Table 2 Timing and order of fauna translocations to Dirk Hartog Island ............................ 22 Table 3 Potential sources for Dirk Hartog Island founders ................................................ 23 Table 4 Genetic issues in potential source populations ..................................................... 25 Figures Figure 1 Map of Dirk Hartog Island showing place names and infrastructure ................... 26 2 Department of Park and Wildlife A Strategic Framework for the Reconstruction and Conservation of the Vertebrate Fauna of Dirk Hartog Island 2017 - 2033 1 Acknowledgements This strategic framework has been developed in collaboration with the Dirk Hartog Island Ecological Restoration Project Management Committee. Several Parks and Wildlife Shark Bay District staff have been involved in the planning of this program since 2007 including Linda Reinhold, Colleen Sims and Kim Branch. Drafts of this document were reviewed by Parks and Wildlife Mid-West Region, Shark Bay District, and Science and Conservation Division staff. In particular, Dr Allan Burbidge, John Asher and Deanne von Senger provided useful comments. The fauna reconstruction and conservation project is largely funded by the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund. This fund is administered by Parks and Wildlife and approved by the Minister for Environment after considering advice from the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Advisory Board. 2 Executive Summary The Gorgon Gas Development Project on Barrow Island Nature Reserve was approved by the Western Australian and Federal Governments in 2009 and subject to several conservation undertakings relating to compensation for environmental disturbance on this valuable conservation area. In addition, a Net Conservation Benefits fund was established by the Western Australian Government, with agreement from Chevron Australia. This was to provide support to programs that will restore and protect previously degraded habitats, and undertake biodiversity conservation research to better inform initiatives to conserve and manage terrestrial ecosystems, and achieve a net conservation benefit. The Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project was considered a flagship project for the NCB to fund and Stage One commenced in 2011. This has successfully removed all sheep from Dirk Hartog Island, and feral goats will be eradicated by early 2017. Feral cats will be eradicated by September 2018. Stage Two of this project will commence in 2018 and will involve the reintroduction of 10 species of native mammal and one species of bird that formerly occurred on the island, and the introduction of two other threatened mammal species for conservation reasons, over a 12 year period. Additional mammal and bird species may be reintroduced if appropriate, depending on an ecological assessment of potential risks and benefits. This strategic plan provides the framework and direction for this ambitious program to occur. It covers the criteria used to select species for translocation, translocation planning, founder population monitoring, transport logistics, criteria for release site selection, and post-release monitoring. It also identifies
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