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Home , Antechinus, Bettong, Dunnart, Kangaroo Island dunnart, Nabarlek, Western quoll

On The Brink What’s Inside Issue 5 minutes with Bringing back Project Dr Fred Ford the Eastern wrap-up: 01 p3 p5 p7 2019 Foundation remains optimistic in what is would underwrite our administrative costs essentially a pessimistic space.’ I think and enable all future donations to be that’s true and I believe it is a good basis applied only to conservation projects. on which to build on our effectiveness. Encouragingly, in a survey last year, Nevertheless, there is little point in some members have indicated a glossing over facts and no point at all willingness to nominate the Foundation in pretending that things on the as a beneficiary in their Wills. This is ecological front are better than they are. hugely encouraging for the development The picture is awful – simply confronting of our Capital Fund and for our future Is 'Catastrophe' the unpalatable truth that today, right over the next quarter century. To those now, 258 of flora and fauna of you who have so indicated, thank you. too strong a face extinction is sobering. In fact, I think As always too, we will continue to ask it is made more difficult because as a for donations. I know it can appear that word? Foundation we are frustrated by limited the Foundation is always asking for resources to effect immediate change. I have often thought - are many money – but we have no choice. For the Australians sleep-walking towards a Nevertheless, thanks to you all, we are foreseeable future, and our recent grant native-wildlife extinction catastrophe achieving some wonderful results and, as round is no exception, the demand for from which there is no return? the Foundation grows, all of us have good project support is likely to be unending. reason to remain optimistic in the midst of But, be reassured that at all times we This is a powerful statement about the dire stats. On pages 5 and 10 of this attempt to select projects that have a which I have thought long and hard. edition I am thrilled to announce two new good chance of success so that the Am I over-reaching, exaggerating projects – bringing the funds provided demonstrate a return to or being needlessly alarmist? back to Victoria and, in partnership with all our supporters. For further insight into the SA Department of Environment and how we chose our projects we have The ecological statistics suggest not. Water, continue to safeguard the Western interviewed the Chair of the Foundation’s Our members and donors know the in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges with Conservation Committee, Dr Fred Ford. statistics well enough but they bear the long term prospect of reintroducing Read his interview on the opposite page. repeating. Since European settlement: into the Gammon Ranges. At various functions towards the end 91 species have become extinct; • As you all know too, we’ve just concluded of last year, some members told me • 258 are critically endangered; our first 25 years of existence. Apart from their support of the Foundation made business-as-usual, it has also been a them feel as if, in a small way, they • another 711 are endangered and period of planning and review. What do were helping to heal the planet and, nearly 800 species are considered we want to do in the next 25 years, how by so doing, healing themselves. • are we going to do it, where are we going vulnerable to extinction. I think that is truly wonderful as to get the resources, what partners will it demonstrates an outcome for This is my third year as CEO of the we need, how can we do things better? Foundation and there are times our supporters beyond saving when it is difficult to decide whether An issue of importance to the Board and one species or another. to all our supporters is that donations to feel elated at our successes or Thank you for being a part of should go towards nominated projects, despondent because there is just so our evergrowing community. much to do and insufficient resources not administrative overheads. To that to tackle the most urgent needs. end, the Board will continue efforts to build a significant Capital Fund. Many Tracy McNamara I’ve opted to take a lead from one of our of you have indicated support for this Chief Executive Officer Melbourne donors who told me that ‘the initiative, as a sufficiently large fund

The FAME Newsletter is published by Printed using vegetable inks on paper the Foundation for ’s Most sourced from sustainable and About FAME wrapped in biodegradable plastic. Endangered Species Ltd. FAME is an independent, non-profit ABN 79 154 823 579 Every effort has been made to ensure organisation based in South Australia the accuracy of the content within this but operating across the country. Level 1, 47 Tynte Street newsletter. We apologise for any omissions FAME is completely donor funded; our North Adelaide 5006, SA or errors that may have occurred. work is only possible because of the 08 8374 1744 generosity of our community who support [email protected] Follow us on social media us. For this we are grateful. Donations to FAME are tax-deductible under relevant www.fame.org.au Australian legislation.

2 picture problems. Awareness levels of the and species, noticing changes, telling 5 minutes with Australian public about their native plants the right people about them. and are also alarming. Many people Applying new technologies to the big- FAME Board think that trout and proteas are native (flower picture issues is always potentially a game sellers always tell them proteas are) and changer. We now see this happening in Director, wouldn't have a clue what a Bettong was, the energy sector, there's potential for let alone a or . [Ed: a Kowari the same to happen in conservation of Dr Fred Ford is a small desert-loving carnivore about native species, but there just aren't the the size of guinea pig, but with a bushy tail; market forces to drive change. That means Dr Ford has been a Director of FAME since a Narbalek is a little rock which community advocacy must drive industry 2012 and, in his time on the Board, has been lives in the and the Kimberleys.] involved in the recovery of the remaining and governments to value species and wild populations of Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Feral exotic management seek solutions. Alignment of goals between in central Queensland, improving genetic is a hot topic. Is it critical to the the pastoral and conservation sectors diversity of the Mountain at survival of our native species? where there are shared or similar problems can help leverage funding and effort- for Mt Buller and, most recently, the successful Yes. It was critical in the extinction of many example fox baiting serves both sectors, reintroduction of the back species 100 years ago, and modern and many biosecurity issues may equally into the Ikara-Flinders Ranges where it had experiments removing exotic species show impact agriculture and the environment. been locally extinct for over 100 years. strongly that dealing with exotics is the In 2014, Dr Ford wrote John Gould’s single biggest gain to be made towards FAME is reliant on philanthropic giving, Extinct and Endangered conserving many native species today. being 100% donor funded. There are over 50,000 registered charities in of Australia, published by NLA Would there be one or two projects over Australia; in your view, how do we stand Publishing. His book is available to the years, that you have been particularly out as a foundation worthy of support? purchase online and in bookstores. proud to have FAME involved with? I wish great outcomes could speak for Please describe your role There is obvious pride that comes from themselves, but you have to get a bit on the Board of FAME. collaborating with government and local shouty sometimes before you can tell the communities to deliver projects like the I chair the Conservation Committee. stories you want to tell. And let’s not forget return of quolls and possums to the Flinders. We assess project applications against that for every registered charity there are However, we don't choose to support FAME's organisational goals and on probably another four or five clubs, schools any projects we aren't proud of. Some of scientific merit, and provide advice to or local groups that people want to support. FAME's best work has been to support the rest of the Board on each proposal. Reputation and recommendations can take smaller projects like the Tall Astelia, or to us only so far, and I think we have started Is native wildlife conservation more provide seed funding for great ideas like on a good and necessary journey toward important today than it was 20 the Felixer (cat sprayer) which has gone stronger brand identity and presence to years ago? What’s changed? on to become a nationally-recognised let people see our stories and successes. development in cat management. No. It was just as important then as now, Giving is a very personal thing, and I get it although some threats are increasing, Do you think FAME can play a role in that for many people there are other priorities. more species are in decline than ever, and saving native species from extinction? So that leads to an interesting question of the undeniable stresses of global warming how we show that we are more than just are starting to have real impacts on the If I didn't, I wouldn't be on the Board. a way of making people feel like they are predictability and success of conservation We have and will continue to be an "doing the right thing" by giving to a charity. programs. I think the role of advocacy important avenue for conservation The real-world outcomes we achieve, the and awareness is equally as important, gains through applied research, direct collaborative partners we attract including but today's audience can be reached in on-ground action and great ideas. Commonwealth and State Governments, their homes so you no longer need to take What do we need to do, as individuals and and the sense of community among FAME to the streets to make your voice heard. as members of the Australian community, donors go from strength to strength each What do you think are the most critical to ensure no further extinctions of our year, and I think that highlights that we are issues confronting native wildlife native flora and fauna species? much more than a feel-good exercise. conservation in Australia today? Sadly I don't think we can ensure there are We live our mission. Unfortunately the vastness of the continent no further extinctions. Global change is too will always be one of our biggest challenges. fast and entrenched, and existing stresses Threats posed by cats, foxes, rabbits, weeds too pervasive. And then there are the and disease are almost intractable when catastrophes and bad luck that we have considered at that scale. It will take truly smart no control over that take us by surprise. technologies and luck to ever truly win those (Think Devil Facial Tumour- if something battles, so we need to keep working on similar happened to a native rodent, would concerted local programs where success we manage to save the species? Would is more achievable to ensure something is we even know until it was too late?). So I left to save if we ever crack the really big guess being vigilant is important - getting a Dr Fred Ford better understanding of local environments

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 3 Eastern Bettong Species Profile:

STOP THE PRESS Thanks to the generosity of our donors we have now raised all the funds for this project.

• • • • Is it too little, too late for the Eastern are solitary The importance of the http://animalia.bio/eastern-bettong https://www.mfgowoodlandexperiment.org.au/bettong.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_bettong http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=66656 Eastern Bettong, which has animals, except during the Eastern Bettong and the been extinct on the mainland mating season. They are ripple effect of its absence of Australia since the 1920s? foragers by nature and from the ecosystem may not (It is also known as the Southern build dome-like nests from yet be realised. They are Bettong or Tasmanian Bettong, foliage collected and carried quite incredible ecological as the only wild populations back to the nest in their engineers. Simply by left are currently found in the curled-up tails. For such a scratching the ground and eastern two-thirds of Tasmania.) small , they are foraging, they have the known to travel up to 1.5km effect of improving water To best describe an from their nest in search retention in the soil, creating Eastern Bettong, imagine a of food. How exhausting! inter-tussock spaces and tiny with head and increasing composting. body totalling about the Major threats to the length of a sheet of A4 Eastern Bettong’s survival In this issue of On the Brink, paper. With powerful hind in Tasmania are predation, we announce that FAME will legs – helpful when needing competition and habitat partner on a project to Bring to escape quickly from the loss to rabbits, fire and back the Eastern Bettong. clutches of lurking predators land clearing. Although not For further information, read – and short arms, its tail listed as an endangered the project announcement is typically as long as the species in Tasmania, current on page 5 or visit the project length of its head and body estimates are that there page on our website. (another sheet of A4), usually fewer than 20,000 left, with with a white tip on the end. the species in decline. 4 Orana Park Safe Haven, in Central 200km bio-link between Mt Kooyong to Victoria, will fence 200 hectares of the Loddon River. The property is of high unspoiled grasslands, chenopod conservation value and shows significant shrublands and woodlands habitat on potential for the re-introduction of some the Loddon River. A 5.5 km feral-proof of Victoria’s most threatened fauna fence will be installed around the native such as the Eastern Bettong, Eastern vegetation in order to form a safe haven. Quoll and Eastern Barred .

Creating a new safe haven will not only Conservation outcomes for support an additional population of the project include: Eastern Bettongs but will also protect 1. Improved threatened species all endemic flora and fauna from cats STATE: VIC outcomes – This site has the capacity and foxes. The additional population to support a number of species will be able to supply future foundation SPECIES: Eastern Bettong currently listed as priority species under animals for other reintroductions on the Threatened Species Strategy, such STATUS: Extinct on the the mainland and contribute to a as the Eastern Bettong. Safe havens mainland meta-population model guided by provide a vital step in reversing species recommendations from our project decline. We expect to have self- partners at Australian National University sustaining population within three years. who lead the research at Mulligans Flat. 2. Improved ecosystem health – Eastern The Eastern Bettong is listed as one of Bettongs are ecosystem engineers the 20 mammals targeted for recovery and would significantly improve the by 2020 under Australia’s National condition of the critically-endangered Threatened Species Strategy. Box Gum Grassy Woodland, turning The Project will aim to support over the soil, spreading microbes other collateral beneficiaries including and allowing nutrients and water to a number of endemic flora and fauna penetrate and assist in vegetation Photo credit: JJ Harrison species of significance; Brush-tailed growth. Increased populations of , Yellow-footed and Agile endemic carnivorous such , Fat-tailed Dunnarts, and as the , and quoll Bringing back various amphibians and reptiles including will prevent insect plagues which might Legless Lizards, bird species including benefit from the increased biomass as the Eastern Swift and Plains Wanderers and a a result of rabbit eradication. large variety of wildflowers and orchids. Partners in the project include Tiverton Bettong The Orana Park Safe Haven is located Agriculture Impact Fund, Odonata, on Borung-Hurstwood Road, Borung, in Mt Rothwell Conservation Centre, The Foundation for Australia’s Endangered central Victoria, and it is located within an Mulligans Flat, Australian National Species will join with partners to reintroduce area which has several threatened flora University and Australia’s Threatened the Eastern Bettong into Victoria. and fauna species. It forms part of the Species Commissioner.

Fat-tailed Dunnart Plains Wanderer Swift Photo credit: Animals Anonymous Photo credit: Patrick K59 Photo credit: Gunjan Pandey

Legless Lizard Brush-tail Yellow-footed Antechinus Photo credit: Matt Clancy Wildlife Photo credit: Lochman Transparencies Photo credit: Geoff Park Photography

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 5 established, Cassowaries are expected to Restoring again start using the area. Project planting by Reforest Now is set to continue, with the important feeding aim of reaching 5,000 trees planted in total. habitat for the The conservation value of the Daintree Lowlands is unparalleled. Statistics from Cassowary the Wet Tropics Management Authority reflect the region’s biodiversity.

Cassowaries are the third largest bird in 40% of Australia’s bird species the world and are listed as endangered • 58% of Australia’s bat species STATE: QLD under the Environment Protection and • Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). • 30% of Australia’s & SPECIES: Cassowary It is estimated only 4,500 remain in the orchid species of the wet tropics in Far North 60% of Australia’s butterfly species STATUS: Endangered • Queensland. Indeed, spotting one in the • 21% of Australia’s reptile & cycad species wild is at the top of many wildlife enthusiasts’ 29% of Australia’s frog species lists. Fortunately, the likelihood of seeing • one in the Daintree Lowland is • 65% of Australia’s fern species

about to increase due to a collaborative

effort involving FAME and Reforest Now.

With thanks to our donors, FAME has been able to support this remarkable project, enabling important feeding habitat restoration. We are pleased to report that already an astonishing 2,500 trees of 112 species have now been planted at Cow Bay. This will help to restore Reforest Now volunteer tree more of the tropical breeding habitat for Southern Cassowary planters in action the Cassowary. As the trees become

populations of Macadamia jansenii have Australia's most been positively identified following targeted searches. Thanks to funding provided by endangered FAME, MCT has been able to commission macadamia searches to locate any other existing trees. "In total, 37 healthy trees have been species found to exist in two smaller populations in a neighbouring gully in the Bulburin National Park, about 5km from the In December 2018, we reported that original population", explains Denise our newest project securing the future of Bond, MCT Executive Officer. STATE: QLD Australia's most endangered macadamia nut was under threat of fire. The rarest of It can now be said with certainty SPECIES: Bulburin Nut the macadamia species, Macadamia that there are 127 confirmed STATUS: Endangered jansenii, of which there were thought to be Bulburin Nut trees left in the wild. only 90 trees left in the wild, was in danger What next for the Macadamia jansenii? of being wiped out by catastrophic fires in the Gladstone region. The next steps of the project will involve MCT working with National Parks to establish We thank you for your expressions of exact sizes and locations of all newly- concern during this time. Thankfully, discovered trees and working to ensure they the remaining Macadamia are protected from weeds and future fire jansenii trees survived the initial fires. threats. Testing will determine the genetics Other forests in the region were not so of the trees within the newly-discovered lucky and were completely destroyed. populations. If they show diversity from the It's a stark reminder as to how precarious original trees, plans will be made to add survival of a species can be. them to future insurance populations.

Young Macadamia jansenii plants Confirmation has been received from The project is also part of the at the Tondoon Botanic Gardens. our project partner, Macadamia Girdarjil program, providing training Conservation Trust (MCT), that new opportunities for Girdarjil Rangers, thus benefitting indigenous Australians. 6 While our focus has been to survey for PROJECT WRAP- the , we are also capturing information about other threatened UP: Finding the Kangaroo Island species such as:

Kangaroo Island Echidna – elusive Kangaroo • Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus Island Dunnart (endangered)

• Southern Brown Bandicoot – Isoodon The short answer, yes! The elusive obesulus obesulus (endangered) Kangaroo Island Dunnart has been STATE: SA found. When this project began, • Bassian Thrush – Zoothera lunulata there were two major objectives: halmaturina (vulnerable) SPECIES: Kangaroo Southern Emu Wren – Stipiturus Island Dunnart 1. Ascertain the number of endangered • Kangaroo Island Dunnarts Sminthopsis malachurus (endangered) aitkeni living on the Island and protect them STATUS: Endangered Rosenberg’s Goanna – Varanus against feral predators and habitat loss. • rosenbergi (endangered) 2. By March 2019, in partnership with private The Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife property program and the Kangaroo Island Dunnart owners, contribute to the management project have grown in name and reputation of 10,000 hectares of private lands for over the past 12 months, thanks to the Kangaroo Island Dunnart conservation. seed-funding from FAME. This has allowed FAME’s support has helped the Kangaroo us to plan for additional conservation Island Land for Wildlife program engage activities and apply for funding through with over 60 landholders and gain a variety of sources. With the additional access to more than 14,000 hectares funds, we have increased our capacity Kangroo Island Dunnart of western Kangaroo Island potential to survey more widely for the Kangaroo Dunnart habitat for survey work. Island Dunnart and survey for feral cats that threaten their survival. (Australian Landholder survey participation has Government’s Threatened Species Fund increased enthusiasm to carry out and Wettenhall Environment Trust). threatened species conservation activities A total of 19 Kangaroo like control and Phytophthora We have been overwhelmed with the “Island Dunnart individual cinnamoni (Pc) dieback management amount of landholder interest in the independently. Over 7000 survey-nights Kangaroo Island Dunnart project and camera trap records have have been completed across the 14,000 Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife program. been confirmed across hectares. Camera image data analysis is Our goal is to secure funds to continue the ongoing with over 50,000 images to analyse. coordination of the Kangaroo Island Land four different sites. for Wildlife program to enable continued We now have a better understanding landholder engagement in Kangaroo Island of the endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart and other threatened species Dunnart distribution within western conservation activities across private lands. Kangaroo Island private bushland. A total of 19 Kangaroo Island Dunnart Heidi Groffen & Pat Hodgens individual camera trap records have been Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife confirmed across four different sites.

Another record of a Kangaroo Island Dunnart caught on camera at a north western property on Kangaroo Island.

Photo credit: Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife

25 YEARS OF SAVING OUR ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA 7 To make a donation, or give to an individual project, visit fame.org.au, or detach and complete this form and return back to us in the supplied envelope. Donation Form Yes, I would like to assist FAME to continue

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*All donations over $2 are tax-deductible and we will send you a tax receipt. for your support! When you give monthly, you become Monthly Giving an important part of FAME’s ongoing commitment to stop any further Unfortunately, FAME’s work is never done extinction and allow the Foundation to and never will be. Indeed, despite our allocate foreseeable income to support successes to date, the list of endangered worthwhile projects that will save species in Australia continues to lengthen. endangered wildlife from extinction. T 08 8374 1744 FAME’s projects are carefully chosen so Most of all, you have the satisfaction E [email protected] that our precious funds are put to work of knowing that your support will in the most effective way possible. We help increase FAME’s ability to seek 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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Please complete and return to FAME in the envelope provided. *Please note that we will contact you prior to the expiry date on your card in order to update this information. Thank you *All donations over $2 are tax deductable. *A summary of your donations will be sent at the end of each financial year for your records. for your support! Cover: Western Quoll. Photo credit: Michael J Barritt The Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME) FAME commits to acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia a new phase in the and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. Western Quoll project We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their FAME has once again partnered with DEW (South T 08 8374 1744 elders both past and present. Australian Department of Environment and Water) E [email protected] to safeguard the Western Quoll in the Ikara-Flinders

Ranges, South Australia, through ongoing monitoring

and specific management responses in order to allow Level 1, 47 Tynte Street the quoll population to further expand and prosper North Adelaide 5006, SA beyond current limits. ABN 79 154 823 579 Monitoring of the whole population through twice- yearly trapping has indicated that the population has fame.org.au consistently grown. However, as we now aim to build a sustainable population, it is vital we continue to monitor and track the quolls, particularly with threat- abatement management the greatest challenge.

To safeguard the Western Quoll in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, specific management mechanisms will be undertaken to control feral predators as well as regular, ongoing monitoring of the population.

Background:

In April 2014 as part of a joint project between FAME and the Government of South Australia, 37 Western Quolls were released to see if the species could survive in the Flinders Ranges. Fortunately, the species has flourished in its former home and further releases in 2015 and 2016 have strengthened the population.

For the first time in living memory, the Adnyamathanha people are able to see the animal that is one of their totems and mentioned in dreamtime stories thriving in the wild. Extensive onground feral management has been undertaken to ensure the survival of the Quolls with the assistance of the South Australian Sporting Shooters Association.

Core Values • Commit to conservation and environmental issues. • Embrace open transparency Mission at all times. FAME is the only organisation • Display strong, clear dedicated to helping Australian corporate governance. species most at risk of Maintain inclusiveness with Vision extinction. FAME seeks to • all stakeholders and donors. Our vision is to prevent any fund on-ground conservation further extinction of Australian outcomes with a focus on seed- • Respect the culture of flora and fauna. funding and innovation. Indigenous Australians.