Understanding the causes of human–wombat conflict and exploring non-lethal damage mitigation strategies for the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) Casey O’Brien Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide April 2019 Page | 1 Page | 2 Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 3 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. 9 Declaration .............................................................................................................................. 12 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 13 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 1. General Introduction ............................................................................................ 18 1.1 Human–wildlife conflict ........................................................................................................... 19 1.2 Conflicts with agriculture ......................................................................................................... 20 1.3 Conflict management ................................................................................................................ 22 1.3.1 Human perceptions ......................................................................................................................... 22 1.3.2 Lethal control .................................................................................................................................. 23 1.3.3 Non-lethal control ........................................................................................................................... 25 1.3.3.1. Translocation .............................................................................................................................. 25 1.3.3.2. Deterrents ................................................................................................................................... 26 1.4 Human–wombat conflict .......................................................................................................... 27 1.4.1 Southern hairy-nosed wombats ....................................................................................................... 28 1.4.1.1. Distribution and conservation status ........................................................................................... 28 1.4.1.2. Causes of conflict ....................................................................................................................... 30 1.4.1.3. Conflict management .................................................................................................................. 30 1.5 Project aims ............................................................................................................................... 31 1.6 References .................................................................................................................................. 33 Chapter 2. Pest or guest? Landholder perceptions of southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in South Australia. .......................................................................... 44 2.1 Statement of Authorship .......................................................................................................... 45 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ 46 2.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 47 2.3 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 49 2.3.1 Study area ....................................................................................................................................... 49 2.3.2 Survey design.................................................................................................................................. 50 2.3.3 Survey distribution .......................................................................................................................... 50 2.3.4 Survey data screening ..................................................................................................................... 51 2.3.5 Statistical analyses .......................................................................................................................... 51 2.4 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 52 2.4.1 Response rate and demographics .................................................................................................... 52 2.4.2 Perceptions of damage .................................................................................................................... 52 2.4.3 Conservation and co-existence ....................................................................................................... 54 2.4.4 Management of Lasiorhinus latifrons ............................................................................................. 57 2.5 Discussion................................................................................................................................... 59 2.5.1 Response rate and demographics .................................................................................................... 60 Page | 3 2.5.2 Perceptions of damage .................................................................................................................... 61 2.5.3 Conservation and co-existence ....................................................................................................... 62 2.5.4 Management of Lasiorhinus latifrons ............................................................................................. 63 2.5.5 Management recommendations ...................................................................................................... 64 2.6 References .................................................................................................................................. 66 Chapter 3. Resolving human-wombat conflict: Is translocation the answer? ..................... 71 3.1 Statement of Authorship .......................................................................................................... 72 3.2 Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 73 3.3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 74 3.4 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 76 3.4.1 Study sites ....................................................................................................................................... 76 3.4.2 Capture and processing ................................................................................................................... 77 3.4.3 Release and monitoring .................................................................................................................. 80 3.4.4 Conflict reduction ........................................................................................................................... 81 3.4.5 Data analyses .................................................................................................................................. 82 3.5 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 84 3.5.1 Trapping success ............................................................................................................................. 84 3.5.2 Survival and health ......................................................................................................................... 84 3.5.3 Ranging behaviour .......................................................................................................................... 87 3.5.4 Conflict reduction ........................................................................................................................... 93 3.6 Discussion................................................................................................................................... 93 3.6.1 Trapping success ............................................................................................................................. 93 3.6.2 Survival ........................................................................................................................................... 94 3.6.3 Ranging behaviour .......................................................................................................................... 96