Download Bathurst 2011 - Australasian Wildlife Management Society

Australasian Wildlife Management Society
24th Annual Conference
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This publication should be cited as:
P. Fleming, T. Cox and A. Bengsen ( Eds) Abstracts of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference,
Bathurst, New South Wales, 29 November – 1 December, 2011
Copy available on the AWMS website: http//www.awms.org.au
DISCLAIMER
This volume is a pre-conference compilation of abstracts. The contents have not been peer-reviewed and abstracts
have been printed as received from submitting authors except for minor editing. In many cases the contents contain
preliminary results only. Any advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Please
check with the authors before using information. The Australasian Wildlife Management Society does not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your purpose and therefore disclaims liability
for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from persons relying on any information in this publication.
For information about the Australasian Wildlife Management Society see http://www.awms.org.au
Proceedings Production: On Q Conference Support, PO Box 3711, Weston ACT 2611
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CONTENTS
Social Program...........................................................................................6
The Venue Floorplan................................................................................6
Welcome from the President................................................................7
THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM...............................................................8
ABSTRACTS IN ORDER OF PROGRAM (Speakers index at rear)
when does wild dog predation upon native species move from natural
to a threatening process? observations from wild dog control
programs and the potential impacts on koala populations from
western and south east queensland............................................................43
urban foxes: ecology and management. ......................................................44
rats in the ranks; demographic responses of an invasive species,
rattus rattus, to pest control in urban bush land remnants...................45
reflecting on forty years of wildlife management and research in the
roost choice and behaviour by rainbow lorikeets, trichoglossus
managing for wildlife: moving beyond a top-down approach. .................14
synurbanization of the pacific black duck in south east queensland:
central west of new south wales. ...............................................................13
wanggaali project - engaging coastal communities in reducing
haematodus: assessing functional explanations. .......................................46
the ecological implications of feeding ducks. ............................................47
the predation threat to long-nosed potoroos by monthly
what we do, don’t and need to know about urban dingoes/wild dogs...48
1080 fox baiting............................................................................................15
factors influencing the uptake of fox baits by tasmanian devils. .............49
southern yorke peninsula fox baiting for biodiversity...............................16
hopstop® as a euthansing agent for cane toads........................................50
cruel to be kind? the conundrum of killing wild dogs to
evaluation of baiting with pigout® in a sub-alpine forested
integrating science into management of ecosystems in the
broad-scale viability assessment of an endangered raptor: the
defining the problem: kangaroo management on mount panorama,
monitoring rare mycophagous mammals: detecting the presence
a collaborative approach to feral pig management in the
scat happens: separating the good from the bad uses of dingo
holistic wildlife management: concept plan for an
monitoring the effectiveness of feral cat culling: a case study
characteristics of blue mountains heath favoured by honeyeaters..........22
not taking the bait – remote camera monitoring of species
conserve koalas. ............................................................................................17
blue mountains. ..............................................................................................18
bathurst, nsw. ................................................................................................19
macquarie marshes.........................................................................................20
ecosystem zoological park............................................................................21
capertee valley regent honeyeater recovery project: a case study
of community involvement in wildlife management....................................23
national park..................................................................................................51
bonelli’s eagle in western europe.................................................................52
of potoroos via foraging-dig surveys. ........................................................53
scat data. ........................................................................................................54
from tasmania. ...............................................................................................55
uptake of 1080 baits in southwest wa forests...........................................56
the impacts of sambar on forest understoreys in the
breeding endangered species for local reintroductions. ..........................24
yarra ranges national park, australia.........................................................57
pestsmart toolkit for best practice pest management................................25
the australian wildlife health network and the protection
pestsmart toolkit for managing the impacts of foxes................................26
pestsmart toolkit for managing the impacts of wild dogs........................27
pestsmart toolkit for management of feral pigs........................................28
pestsmart toolkit for management of european rabbits............................29
. .........................................30
pestsmart toolkit for management of carp. ...............................................31
pestsmart toolkit for managing pest rodents
of biodiversity.................................................................................................58
wildlife health surveillance victoria...........................................................59
controlling rabies in semi-wild dog populations – lessons
from indonesia. ..............................................................................................60
wildlife disease dynamics: a study of salmonella in
feral pigs (sus scrofa)....................................................................................61
hydatid disease, caused by the canine tapeworm echinococcus
collars and ear tags do not affect the behaviour of
granulosus, is widespread in native wildlife, and may be contributing
eastern grey kangaroos................................................................................32
to the decline of some endangered small macropodid populations.........62
applying remote audio technology to western australia’s
on strategic aspects of wildlife management.............................................63
starling eradication campaign. .....................................................................33
predator faecal odours as successful repellents for
australian vertebrate pests...........................................................................34
smell you later. lessons in olfaction, from multiple-predator systems,
and their application to management. .........................................................35
scaling up pest control strategies: from small community-led
blocks to landscape scales...........................................................................64
the community baiting program model: a truly cross-tenure
approach to effective canid control in far east gippsland, victoria........65
strategies for managing wild canids: passive adaptive co-management
can restored bauxite mining areas in the southwest jarrah forest
by communities in north eastern nsw...........................................................66
of western australia provide suitable habitat for a threatened
strategic aerial application of baits provides economic and
wide-ranging carnivore (the western quoll)?............................................36
detecting and preventing new incursions of exotic animals in
environmental benefits. .................................................................................67
the role of mhc in mate choice within the tasmanian devil
australia.........................................................................................................37
(sarcophilus harrisii) insurance population................................................68
preliminary evaluation of a spring-loaded captive bolt gun to
preliminary results of investigations into rabbit populations across
stun/kill in-pouch kangaroo joeys during commercial harvesting..........38
human dimensions of the management of australian white ibis
(threskiornis molucca) on the gold coast, queensland............................39
an iconic species at the centre of public debate: contemporary
issues in koala management. .........................................................................40
can we manage the persistence of koalas in
road-dominated landscapes?........................................................................41
drought-driven change in wildlife distribution and numbers: a case
study of koalas in south west queensland.................................................42
australia.........................................................................................................69
analysis of camera trap data for population monitoring..........................70
feral goats in western nsw: how many and rates of increase...................71
exploring the capacity of nrm organisations to support invasive
animal management now and into the future.............................................72
monitoring malleefowl (leipoa ocellata) activity using camera
traps: predator interactions and trap success in the goonoo forest,
new south wales. ...........................................................................................73
feralscan pest animal mapping website – a resource for communities,
landholders, and local government – www.feralscan.org.au . .............74
5
Welcome
It gives me great pleasure to extend an invitation to you for the 24th Conference and
Annual General meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society.
This conference will focus on the very important aspect of community and wildlife
management and the venue is perfectly placed for such a forum where the opening
address will be by Professor David Goldney who resides in the area. The famous Mt
Panorama motor racing circuit is iconic for the “rev heads” of the Australian community
and many may wonder what the connection is between motor racing and wildlife
management. If kangaroos could talk they would tell us!
Mt Panorama is home to a population of Eastern Grey kangaroos which pose
considerable management challenges for the local council, race organisers,
conservation groups and animal welfare organisations. Dr Anne Kerle will speak on
this issue which is but one example of the many community and wildlife management
issues that keynote speakers from Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Rim
countries will present for information, discussion and learning over the three days of
the conference.
A total of eight symposia will focus on urban, peri-urban and rural contemporary
wildlife management issues while students will compete for the highly sought after
prizes of best spoken paper and best poster presentation.
For those with an interest of things long past a trip to the Sommerville Fossil Museum
in Bathurst will be a highlight at the end of day one. This museum holds one of the
best fossil and mineral collections in the world, including the only complete skeleton
of Tyrannosaurus rex in Australia.
Students attending the conference will be hosted by the committee at a subsidised
student dinner on night one of the conference. Lucy Bridgeman has done an excellent
job in promoting student issues and will be sorely missed upon leaving the important
position of student representative on the committee.
I invite you to take advantage of the vast knowledge and experience available at the
Bathurst conference by attending this community focused event. It may help clarify
who is the real problem – humans or the wildlife!
I look forward to meeting you over the three days.
Terry Korn PSM
President 2011
6
Social Program
Conference Icebreaker
Post-Conference Tour
Monday 28 November 2011, 5pm-7pm
National Motor Racing Museum, Murray’s Corner,
Bathurst.
Thursday 1 December 2011, 12.30pm-6pm
Delegates will depart Citigate Mount Panorama
immediately after the session at 12.30pm, travelling to
the Jenolan Caves. A BBQ lunch is organised on arrival at
the Jenolan Caves and this will be followed by a guided
walk about the brushtail rock wallaby breeding colony,
starting at the Grand Arch, through the Devils Coach
House cave and up to the breeding colony enclosure.
Delegates registered for this function have the
opportunity to view the Museum while enjoying food
and drink and networking with colleagues. The National
Motor Racing Museum has ever changing displays that
highlight the history of motor racing in Australia and
overseas.
Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum Tour
After the guided talk, delegates will have the opportunity
to explore the area further, or hang around the breeding
enclosure for a chance to see the rock wallabies.
Tuesday 29 November 2011, 5.30pm-7pm
The bus will return delegates to Citigate Mount
Panorama by 6pm.
If you enjoy fossils and/or minerals you will certainly
enjoy this visit to the world famous Somerville collection
at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum (with the
only complete Tyrannosaurus rex in Australia).
If you wish to join colleagues for the post-conference
tour, please ensure you indicate your interest with the
Registration desk no later than midday Wednesday 30
November.
A bus will shuttle delegates to the Museum from the
front of the Citigate Mount Panorama hotel from 5.30pm.
This is a registered function so please ensure you have a
ticket in the sleeve of your nametag.
Items to take with you include: comfortable walking
shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.
If you have no ticket but wish to go, please ask at the
Registration desk.
The ‘Aussie Icon’ Conference Dinner
Wednesday 30 November 2011, 7pm-11.30pm
Ballroom, Citigate Mount Panorama
Dress up as your favourite ‘Aussie Icon’. If you haven’t
come pre-prepared, there’s no doubt you’ll find
something in Bathurst that will help you. Perhaps you
could come dressed as a person… Dame Edna, Warwick
Capper, Greg Norman, Merv Hughes?
Perhaps you could come as an animal…a white pointer,
a quoll, a Tassie devil or, you could come as a place or a
thing…Uluru, a Hills Hoist or a Victa lawn mower!
It really is up to you! Let your imagination take over.
This is a registered function even though it is included in
the conference registration. We need to know numbers
for catering. If you do not have a ticket in the sleeve of
your nametag, but do wish to attend, please ask at the
Registration desk.
7
AWMS Conference Program 2011
DAY 1
Tuesday 29 November 2011
830-845
Open, Welcome and Housekeeping
Terry Korn, AWMS President
Symposium 1
Putting science into practice to make wildlife management work
Chair: Jessica Marsh
8:45-9:15 Reflecting on forty years of wildlife
management and research in the central
west of New South Wales - Goldney D
9:15-9:30 Managing for wildlife: Moving beyond a
top-down approach - Kasbarian A, Ramsay G
9:30-9:45 Wanggaali project - Engaging coastal
communities in reducing the predation
threat to long-nosed potoroos by monthly
1080 fox baiting - Gouvernet J, Forge O,
Thomas C
9:45-10:00 Southern Yorke Peninsula fox baiting for
biodiversity - Rudd K
10:00-10:15 Cruel to be kind? The conundrum of killing
wild dogs to conserve koalas - Tabart D
10:15-10:45 MORNING TEA
Symposium 2
Putting science into practice in local communities Blue
mountains & Central West
Chair: Rosalie Chapple
10:45-11:00 Integrating science into management of
ecosystems in the Blue Mountains - Chapple
R, Mulley R, Fleming P, Kingsford R, Bradstock R
11:00-11:15 Defining the problem: Kangaroo
management on Mt Panorama, Bathurst,
NSW - Kerle A
11:15-11:30 A collaborative approach to feral pig
management in the Macquarie Marshes Holcombe P
11:30-11:45 Holistic wildlife management: Concept plan
for an ecosystem zoological park - Bolam A
11:45-12:00 Characteristics of Blue Mountain heath
favoured by honeyeaters - Franklin M, Morris
C, Major R
8
12:00-12:15 Capertee Valley Regent Honeyeater
Recovery Project- case study of community
involvement in wildlife management Paterson I
12:15-12:30 Breeding endangered species for local
reintroductions - Evans T
12:30-1:30LUNCH
Symposium 3
Communicating science with managers of invasive animals: The
IACRC PestSmart Roadshow
Chair: Keryn Lapidge
13:30-13:45 PestSmart Toolkit for best practice pest
management - Braysher M
13:45-14:00 PestSmart Toolkit for managing the impacts
of foxes - Saunders G
14:00-14:15 PestSmart Toolkit for management of wild
dogs - Mifsud G
14:15- 14:30 PestSmart Toolkit for management of feral
pigs - Lapidge S
14:30-15:00 AFTERNOON TEA
15:00-15:15 PestSmart Toolkit for management of
European rabbits - Cooke B
15:15-15:30 PestSmart Toolkit for managing rodents Staples L, Atyeo M
15:30-15:45 PestSmart Toolkit for management of carp Fulton W, Hall K
15:45-16:15 Discussion session
16:15
AWMS Annual General Meeting
17:30
Social function - Bus departs for Fossil
Museum
_______________________________
DAY 2
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Symposium 4
Animal behaviour and managing wildlife
Chair: Tarnya Cox
8:30-8:45 Collars and ear tags do not affect the
behaviour of eastern grey kangaroos - Sofo
K, Coulson G
AWMS Conference Program 2011
8:45-9:00 Applying remote audio technology to
Western Australia’s starling eradication
campaign - Campbell S, Parr R, Gray G, Martin
G, Woolnough A
9:00-9:15 Predator faecal odours as successful
repellents for Australian vertebrate pests Cox T, Murray P, Hall G, Li X, Tribe A
9:15-9:30 Smell you later. Lessons in olfaction, from
multiple-predator systems, and their
application to management. - Ballard G,
Fleming P, Meek P, Doak S, Lamb M
Open Session 1
Chair: Tarnya Cox
11:45-12:00 When does wild dog predation upon native
species move from natural to a threatening
process? Observations from wild dog
control programs and the potential impacts
on koala populations from western and
south east Queensland - Mifsud G, Tabart D
12:00-1:00LUNCH
Symposium 6
Managing impacts of wildlife and pest species in urban and
periurban environments
Chair: Ricky Spencer
13:00-13:15 Urban foxes: Ecology and management Spencer R
9:30-9:45 Can restored bauxite mining areas in the
southwest Jarrah Forest of Western Australia
provide suitable habitat for a threatened
wide ranging carnivore (the western quoll)? McGregor R, Stokes V, Craig M
13:15-13:30 Rats in the ranks: Demographic responses
of an invasive species, rattus rattus, to pest
control in urban bush land remnants Hansen N, Hughes N, Banks P
9:45-10:00 Detecting and preventing new incursions
of exotic animals in Australia - Henderson W,
Bomford M, Cassey P
13:30-13:45 Roost choice and behaviour by rainbow
lorikeets, Trichoglossus haematodus:
Assessing functional explanations - DaoudOpit S, Jones D
10:00-10:30 MORNING TEA
Symposium 5
Contemporary issues in wildlife management: Managing wildlife
at the centre of the public debate
Chair: Steve McLeod / Trudy Sharp
10:30-10:45 Preliminary evaluation of a spring-loaded
captive bolt gun to stun/kill in-pouch
kangaroo joeys during commercial
harvesting - Sharp T, McLeod S, Cantrill L
10:45-11:00 Human dimensions of the management of
Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
on the Gold Coast, Queensland - Varvaro K,
Arunachalam D, McLean K
11:00-11:15 An iconic species at the centre of public
debate: Contemporary issues in koala
management - Lunney D, Stalenberg E, Ross
K, Crowther M
11:15-11:30 Can we manage the persistence of koalas in
road-dominated landscapes? - Jones D
11:30-11:45 Drought-driven change in wildlife
distribution and numbers: A case study of
koalas in south west Queensland - Baxter G,
Seabrook L, McAlpine C, Rhodes J, Bradley A
13:45-14:00 Synurbanization of the Pacific black duck
in south east Queensland: The ecological
implications of feeding ducks - Chapman R,
Jones D
14:00-14:15 What we do, don’t and need to know about
urban dingoes/wild dogs - Allen B
Open Session 2
Chair: John Tracey
14:15-14:30 Factors influencing the uptake of fox baits
by Tasmanian devils - Hughes C, Gaffney R,
Dickman CR
14:30-14:45 HopStop® as a euthansing agent for cane
toads - Dall D
14:45-15:00 Evaluation of baiting with Pigout® in a subalpine, forested national park. - Fletcher D,
MacDonald T
15:00-15:30 AFTERNOON TEA
15:30-15:45 Broad-scale viability assessment of an
endangered raptor: The Bonelli’s eagle in
Western Europe - Real J, Hernandez-Matias A
9
15:45-1600 Monitoring rare mycophagous mammals:
detecting the presence of potoroos via
foraging-dig surveys - Reed R, Handasyde K
16:00-16:15 Scat happens: Separating the good from
the bad uses of dingo scat data - Allen B
16:15-16:30 Monitoring the effectiveness of feral cat
culling: A case study from Tasmania Lazenby B, Dickman C, Mooney N
16:30-16:45 Not taking the bait – Remote camera
monitoring of species uptake of 1080 baits
in southwest WA forests - Dundas S, Adams
P, Fleming P
16:45-17:00 The impacts of sambar on forest
understoreys in the Yarra Ranges National
Park, Australia - Bennett A, Coulson G
19:00
AWMS Conference Dinner
_______________________________
DAY 3
Thursday 1 December 2011
Symposium 7
Diseases of wildlife: interactions with human values and
biodiversity
Chair: Peter Fleming
9:00-9:15 The Australian Wildlife Health Network and
the protection of biodiversity - Woods R,
Post L
9:15-930 Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria Whiteley P, Beveridge I, Vizard A
9:30-9:45 Controlling rabies in semi-wild dog
populations – Lessons from Indonesia Scott-Orr H, Gunata K, Madha C, Nany S,
Siko M, Putra A
9:45-10:00 Wildlife disease dynamics: A study of
salmonella in feral pigs (Sus scrofa) - Negus
K, Cowled B, Galea F, Garner G, Laffan S,
Marsh I, Sarre S, Woolnough A, Ward MP
10:00-10:15 Hydatid disease, caused by the canine
tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is
widespread in native wildlife, and may
be contributing to the decline of some
endangered small macropodid populations
- Jenkins D, Barnes T
10:15-10:45 MORNING TEA
10
Symposium 8
Pest control strategies: Are they more important than silver
bullets?
Chair: Bruce Warburton
10:45-11:00 On strategic aspects of wildlife
management - Hone J
11:00-11:15 Scaling up pest control strategies: From
small community-led blocks to landscape
scales - Byrom A, Glen A, Pech R
11:15-11:30 The Community Baiting Program model:
A truly cross-tenure approach to effective
canid control in Far East Gippsland, Victoria
- Murray A
11:30-11:45 Strategies for managing wild canids: Passive
adaptive co-management by communities
in north eastern NSW - Fleming P, Ballard G
11:45-12:00 Strategic aerial application of baits provides
economic and environmental benefits Warburton B, Latham D, Nugent G
12:00
Student prize announcements
12:30
Conference close
_______________________________
Posters
1. The role of MHC in mate choice within the
Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) insurance
population - Russell T, Belov K, Ujvari B, Lane A,
Spindler R
2. Preliminary results of investigations into rabbit
populations across Australia - Cox T, Liu J, Strive T,
Saunders G
3. Analysis of camera trap data for population
monitoring - Bengsen A
4. Feral goats in western NSW: How many and rates of
increase - Fleming P et al
5. Exploring the capacity of NRM organisations to
support invasive animal management now and into
the future - Marsh J
6. Monitoring mallee fowl (Leipoa ocellata) activity
using camera traps: Predator interactions and trap
success in the Goonoo forest, New South Wales Brown A
7. FeralScan pest animal mapping website – A
resource for communities, landholders, and local
government – www.feralscan.org.au - West P, Marsh
J, Lane C
ABSTRACTS
(in order of program)
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
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12
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
REFLECTING ON FORTY YEARS OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
IN THE CENTRAL WEST OF NEW SOUTH WALES
David Goldney
Cenwest Ennvironmental Services
Email: [email protected]
Over a forty year period I have been privileged to have been involved in a wide range of wildlife studies: as an individual
scientist, working with honours and post graduate students at two regional universities, and also from time to time
as a member of a specialist team. Individual species studies have focused on the wombat (Vombatus ursinus), koala
(Phascolarctus cinereus), the brush-tail rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) and a number of bird species, and longer
term studies on platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) population dynamics on the Duckmaloi Weir, and small mammal
population dynamics within a fragmented landscape at Yetholme. Other studies have focused on the distribution
and status of vertebrate species in the Central West of NSW, the quality and nature of remnant native vegetation
patches, describing the freshwater ecology of selected streams, investigating willow ecology in the upper Macquarie
River, determining optimal environmental flows in managed streams, developing environmental education products
for landholders, involvement in a number of landscape restoration programs, researching the status of birds in the
Bathurst landscape and examining the attitudes of landholders to environmental issues. Over the last ten years I have
focused my attention on applied ecological problems as a specialist consultant working with all tiers of government,
landholders and mining companies on a range of programs as diverse as urban park invasion by flying foxes (Pteropus
spp.), urban stream assessments, assessing the impacts of long wall mining on upland swamps, developing model
offset proposals, environmental impact assessment, and developing strategies for pest management control.
In this talk I will draw from this experience to focus on what I consider to be six important matters for all wildlife managers
and researchers to consider and to illustrate each with examples from projects that I have been involved with. These are:
1. Value long term research;
2. Maintain personal integrity under difficult circumstances;
3. Understand that healthy landscape function underwrites vertebrate species conservation;
4. Understand that we are living in the ‘Age of Restoration’ where we are seeking to create a sustainable cultural
landscape for humans and wildlife;
5. Understand that landholders are likely the most important players in landscape restoration and in species
conservation, and
6. Make time to educate your organisation and the general public about wildlife matters.
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13
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
MANAGING FOR WILDLIFE: MOVING BEYOND A TOP-DOWN APPROACH
Alicia Kasbarian, Gavin Ramsay
University of Western Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Traditionally wildlife has been managed from a scientific viewpoint, without consideration of the social dimensions
and the complexity surrounding the often multiple stakeholders involved. Research carried out in Western Sydney
has demonstrated that current wildlife management approaches come from the perspectives of senior management,
usually without consultation with other levels of staff, other organisations, or the wider community of stakeholders. In
addition, the current study revealed a number of compounding issues that present following the use of such approaches;
examples include: stakeholder sense of detachment and dissatisfaction with the current situation, conflict, and lack of
coordinating processes and structures to mange pertinent issues. The research has clearly demonstrated the need for
improved community engagement, collaboration amongst stakeholders (beyond current funding frameworks), and
uptake and sharing of local knowledge.
This paper focuses on a process to move towards a more consultative approach and outlines a mechanism for
the development of a wildlife management system. In doing so, the paper illustrates the development of an ideal
management model that draws on stakeholders’ knowledge and experience through use of an interactive planning
model. The paper also critically evaluates the process from the inception of the model and how stakeholder input
was used as a tool to validate the model developed including its practicality. That evaluation will be from multiple
perspectives including those of stakeholders and researchers. More specifically, the evaluation considers the application
of systems ideas and their value as an innovative tool in this process.
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14
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
WANGGAALI PROJECT - ENGAGING COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN REDUCING THE
PREDATION THREAT TO LONG-NOSED POTOROOS BY MONTHLY 1080 FOX BAITING
Justin Gouvernet1, Olivia Forge1, Cathy Thomas2
1
Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, 2 National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW
Email: [email protected]
This six year project has taught many of us a lot of lessons. It is a story of what we learnt was necessary to engage people
in controlling foxes (Vulpes vulpes) for long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) conservation. Forty landholders in two
coastal communities have been engaged in controlling foxes that are a threat to the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo
and other critical weight range native animals. The Tanja–Wapengo area covers 12,000 ha, National Park, State Forest
and 3000 ha of private land. Wallaga Lake-Tliba area covers 6000 ha of National Park and 2500 ha of private land.
This presentation describes how we engaged people in potoroo and fox management using the indigenous cultural
significance of the potoroo, and using landscape scale monitoring of fox and potoroo populations. We describe how
we located potoroo populations, how we helped some people over the barrier of using 1080 poison on their property,
and how we worked together across Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, National Parks and Wildlife
Service, Livestock Health and Pest Authority, State Forests and Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The results at Tanja-Wapengo show that the fox control program has resulted in an increase in bandicoots with a
corresponding increase in the slower breading potoroos expected to follow. Wallaga Lake control program has just
begun with spring monitoring hopefully showing favourable results. We show how we are increasing the resilience of
the Potoroo populations through fox control by focusing on the myriad of needs of people on the land, and how we
are using the same basic strategy to engage people in frogs and quoll management.
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15
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
SOUTHERN YORKE PENINSULA FOX BAITING FOR BIODIVERSITY
Ken Rudd, Hannah Short, Rob Lincoln and Fabienne Dee
Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board, SA
Email: [email protected]
Southern Yorke Peninsula Fox Baiting for Biodiversity is a large scale fox (Vulpes vulpes) baiting project being undertaken
to protect endangered species on Southern Yorke Peninsula, including malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) western whipbird
(Psophodes nigrogularis), Hooded plover (Thinornis rubricollis), sand goanna (Varanus gouldii), little penguin (Eudyptula
minor) and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The project began in February 2008 to complement baiting being
undertaken by the Department of Environment and Heritage on Innes National Park as part of the tammar wallaby
re-introduction program. Innes National Park also has one of the few stable malleefowl populations in Australia. We
now work together to complement each others project. We have established 500 permanent bait stations across 35,000
ha on Southern Yorke Peninsula, over 26 rural holdings and four parks. Baiting is carried out over two 8-week baiting
periods in February/March and September/October each year.
We used several remote cameras to monitor bait stations, and observed that after three years of using commercially
prepared 1080 fox bait we were getting some bait shyness. In February 2011 we switched to kangaroo meat injected
with 1080 and achieved a big increase in bait uptake. We are in the process of preparing tuna chunks injected with 1080
for our February 2012 round of baiting. We also use the remote cameras to monitor malleefowl nests, and observed
that no foxes visited the monitored malleefowl nest during the incubating period. Other observations are the sightings
of three echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) when they were thought to be extinct on Yorke Peninsula. There has also
been a bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) sighting, which has not occurred in Innes for many years. There have
also been several sightings of heath goannas (Varanus rosenbergi) which are listed as endangered in the region.
The project highlights what can be achieved over a large scale area and the importance of ongoing monitoring and
evaluation and the need to modify techniques to achieve the best results.
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16
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CRUEL TO BE KIND? THE CONUNDRUM OF KILLING WILD DOGS TO
CONSERVE KOALAS
Deborah Tabart OAM
Australian Koala Foundation
Email: [email protected]
This presentation discusses the complexities of killing wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids) to conserve
koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). On one hand, there are “greenies”, who cannot bear the thought of wild dogs being
killed because it seems cruel and on the other side, landholders who witness, first hand, the cruelty imposed both on
domestic and herd animals by packs of wild dogs.
The presentation traces my understanding of this issue, from helping to lay 1080 baits in Port Stephens in 1994 to a
recent wake-up call that perhaps the thousands of koalas that have been killed, particularly in the peri-urban landscape,
may have been the victims of wild dog packs.
I highlight the need for further education of the community by both sides of the argument and as always, will highlight
that the koala is a great flagship to bring about greater understanding of how our landscape is, should, and could be,
managed with sensible common sense approaches to an issue of this nature.
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17
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
INTEGRATING SCIENCE INTO MANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS IN THE
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Rosalie Chapple1, Robert Mulley2, Peter Fleming3, Richard Kingsford4, Ross Bradstock 5, John Merson 4, Tony Auld 6
and Daniel Ramp4
1
Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, 2 University of Western Sydney,, 3 Department of Primary Industries,
4
University of NSW, 5 University of Wollongong, 6 NSW Office of Environment & Heritage
Email: [email protected]
A recent study has identified key barriers to effective uptake of science into management of ecosystems in the Greater
Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The study focused on fire and wild dogs and demonstrated how inadequate
linking between the scientific and policy-making and management communities hamper effective decision-making.
More effective linking (e.g. collaboration and information flow) between research and management were found to
depend upon: (1) shared comprehensive problem definition; (2) clearly defined management objectives to guide
research directions and uptake; (3) the role of scientists and their information being transparent and understood by
all stakeholders and scientific information made more understandable and accessible, and (4) an adaptive framework
for integrating research into management. The paper highlights the distinction between a “conventional” and more
“adaptive” management approach, noting the failure of conventional management that is based on a ‘‘command and
control’’ approach, to address complex management problems where there are multiple objectives and tradeoffs.
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18
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
DEFINING THE PROBLEM: KANGAROO MANAGEMENT ON MOUNT PANORAMA,
BATHURST, NSW
Anne Kerle
Central West CMA, NSW
Email: [email protected]
Interactions between wildlife and humans, especially in urban environments, can be both positive and negative. Social
pressures in this paradigm vary from a wildlife protection perspective to financial and emotional costs resulting from
damage that may be caused by wildlife and the potential for human tragedy resulting from a collision with racing cars.
The image of a panicked kangaroo narrowly avoiding a car being driven at about 200 km/hr on the Mount Panorama
race track is not for the faint hearted. In response to this and the need to manage macropod populations sustainably
on the Mount, Bathurst Regional Council has commissioned the development of a fauna management strategy. This is
to be based on accurate population surveys and the local and regional dynamics of these populations and to include
community values.
Surveys of kangaroo numbers on Mount Panorama have been carried out for several years but there is no clear
understanding of the distribution of macropods across the Mount Panorama precinct or of the movement patterns
of the resident animals. In order to develop a robust management strategy we have established a baseline index of
abundance and density using fixed-width strip transects located across the precinct and a record of movement patterns.
An indication of the distribution of macropods in the surrounding landscape in relation to Mount Panorama was obtained
using a driven transect around a broader study area and a helicopter transect survey. This data will form the basis of
the management strategy which will also incorporate the concerns of private landholders and the broader community.
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19
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO FERAL PIG MANAGEMENT IN THE
MACQUARIE MARSHES
Peta Holcombe
Central West Catchment Management Authority
Email: [email protected]
The Macquarie Marshes covers approximately 200,000 ha and are located approximately 100 km north of Warren and
30 km west of Quambone. Almost 20,000 ha of this area are listed as a Ramsar site. The Macquarie Marshes are one
of the largest remaining inland, semi permanent wetlands in south-east Australia and is home to several species of
threatened plants and birds. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) have been identified as one of the key threats to the health of the
Macquarie Marshes and their management is imperative to its ecological character.
In 2010 Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) successfully obtained three years funding from the
Caring for our Country program to address the issue of key threats to the ecological character of the Macquarie Marshes
and surroundings. These threats include feral pigs, carp (Cyprinus carpio), lippia (Phyla canescens) and other sleeper
or emergent weed species.
Under this program Central West CMA has collaborated with numerous stakeholders including North West Livestock
Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), Central West LHPA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Invasive Animals Cooperative
Research Centre (IA CRC) and local landholders, to prioritise areas and use best practice in the integrated management
and monitoring of feral pigs.
The feral pig control program is run by a steering committee with representatives from all stakeholder groups. This
steering committee is responsible for the planning, implementation and review of the pig control program, including
ground baiting, ground and aerial shooting, and monitoring. The IA CRC is also developing a best practice program
for the Macquarie Marshes.
This collaborative approach has resulted in an integrated control program, with Central West and North West LHPAs
undertaking their aerial shoot at the same time as National Parks and Wildlife Service. Local landholders, IA CRC and
both LHPAs are also having an effect by ground baiting and shooting at optimum times.
Although preliminary outcomes have been affected by the large populations of pigs in response to good conditions,
and an abundance of food and habitat, Central West CMA expects to see that this approach will be effective in reducing
pig numbers and managing the threat they pose over the long-term.
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20
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
HOLISTIC WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT: CONCEPT PLAN FOR AN
ECOSYSTEM ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Andrew Bolam
Clonturkle Forest Sanctuary, NSW
Email: [email protected]
The wildlife conservation and tourism sector is broadly polarized between urbanised intensive captive wildlife population
management (zoos) and protected natural area management for free range wildlife metacommunities (e.g. national
parks). The underdeveloped middle ground between these poles is explored in concept planning for an innovative
250 ha ecosystem zoological park proposal situated between the Blue Mountains and the Central West of NSW.
This ‘eco zoo’ concept represents the integration of three fields within a single enterprise - captive vertebrate
management, ecosystem habitat management and in situ wildlife assemblage management and reintroduction. The
‘eco zoo’ concept offers distinct challenges and opportunities for innovation in holistic wildlife management as well
as for advancing a sustainable role for the private sector in wildlife conservation. These issues are considered in the
case of Gulguma Eco Zoo, including collection principles, ecological and genetic conservation models for integrated
ex-situ and in-situ management, elements in the visitor experience, and design principles.
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21
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CHARACTERISTICS OF BLUE MOUNTAINS HEATH FAVOURED BY HONEYEATERS
Michael Franklin1, Charles Morris1 and Richard Major2
1
University of Western Sydney, 2 Australian Museum
Email: [email protected]
Blue Mountains NPWS staff involved in fire management have asked whether relationships exist between time-since-fire
and honeyeaters in Blue Mountains heath. This study was conducted to answer this question using a study area on the
western escarpment of the Blue Mountains, NSW. The primary hypotheses tested were that the number of honeyeater
species and their abundance would vary seasonally and be influenced by time-since-fire, inflorescence abundance,
slope angle and elevation. Twelve study sites across a range of time since fire of 2–39 years were sampled in cool and
warm seasons. Regression analysis was used to test for relationships between variables.
In the cool season, total honeyeater abundance was not associated with time since fire. At this time New Holland
honeyeater (Phylidonyris-novaehollandiae) abundance was significantly related to time-since-fire and the abundance
of Heath-leaved Banksia (Banksia ericifolia) inflorescences. In the warm season total honeyeater and New Holland
honeyeater abundance showed saturation relationships with time-since-fire. The steep rate of increase in abundance
plateaued after 10 years since fire in both cases. The number of honeyeater species and total honeyeater abundance
were associated with inflorescence abundance in the warm season. Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
abundance was related to both inflorescence abundance and elevation in the warm season, with few spinebills or
inflorescences recorded at higher elevation sites.
This study showed that honeyeaters used Blue Mountains heath across a broad range of post-fire intervals greater than
10 years, partly because nectar resources and habitat structure were restored by this time. Much of the distribution of
Blue Mountains heath has been impacted by wildfires in the last 10 years so fire management and planning should
aim to increase the area of heath with longer fire intervals throughout this landscape if an important management
objective is to provide resources for honeyeaters.
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22
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CAPERTEE VALLEY REGENT HONEYEATER RECOVERY PROJECT: A Case Study
of Community Involvement in Wildlife Management
Iain Paterson
Capertee Valley Alliance Inc
Email: [email protected]
The Capertee Valley, on the western margin of the Blue Mountains, NSW, is the most important of the three major
regularly used breeding areas for the nationally endangered regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia). However, much
of the suitable box–ironbark woodland habitat within the valley has been cleared for agriculture, and what remains is
fragmented and generally degraded.
In 1993, the Southern NSW and ACT Regional Group of Birds Australia (BASNA) initiated a volunteer-based project to
contribute to the recovery of the regent honeyeater by enhancing and protecting habitat, monitoring, undertaking
strategic research, and promoting community awareness and involvement in recovery of the species. The project
objectives are aligned with priority actions that have been identified in the National Regent Honeyeater Recovery Plan.
The project has operated with the guidance and support of the Recovery Team, and the national coordinator appointed
to assist with its implementation. Effective working relationships developed with other stakeholders have also been
important factors in the project’s success. Habitat management actions have been dependent on the support of local
landowners and managers. Volunteer support has also been critical to achieving the project’s objectives. Financial
support has been provided from a variety of sources including: NSW Environmental Trusts, Natural Heritage Trust, and
Caring for Our Country.
Research and monitoring has included: a monthly survey over four years to identify habitat preferences; a breeding
biology study (over three breeding seasons); population monitoring (2001–present) and vegetation mapping. Data
from these studies have assisted in identifying important areas of habitat within the valley and in planning on-ground
conservation and monitoring activities as well as contributing to the recovery effort at a national level.
Revegetation has been a major element of the project. With the exception of two years, two tree-planting weekends have
been held annually, in autumn and spring, since 1994. To date, more than 98,000 trees and shrubs, of local provenance,
have been planted by volunteers, on 65 sites on 37 properties. In addition, two areas of remnant woodland have been
fenced-off. Planting sites are selected primarily on the basis of their potential to provide habitat for regent honeyeaters
and other declining woodland birds. They also provide an opportunity to work with landowners and managers to
address environmental issues of common interest such as erosion, salinity and habitat loss.
Plant survival rates on project sites are monitored regularly and follow-up maintenance action taken where required.
A survey of 28 planted sites was undertaken in 2008 to assess bird species composition and richness. Although no
regent honeyeaters were recorded on the surveyed sites, a total of 82 bird species, including eight threatened species,
were recorded.
The project has been highly effective in engaging with the local community and in raising awareness of the status of the
regent honeyeater and the recovery program. This has been reflected in a high level of goodwill towards the project
and increased interest and participation by landowners in habitat management to achieve conservation outcomes.
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23
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
BREEDING ENDANGERED SPECIES FOR LOCAL REINTRODUCTIONS
Trevor Evans
Australian Ecosystems Foundation Inc. NSW
Email: [email protected]
The current text book methodologies for saving endangered species comes under question with species still
disappearing and at ever-increasing risk. The Australian Ecosystems Foundation Inc (AEFI) breed 10 endangered species
at Secret Creek in Lithgow NSW and are currently a part of the Mountain Pygmy Possum breeding programme. AEFI
advocates feral proof fencing, feral animal control and habitat reconstruction. In reintroductions, the protection and
management of founder populations is paramount for successful dispersal back into the wild. AEFI are working on a
number of species reintroductions including Eastern Quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) into NSW after 50 years. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
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24
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR BEST PRACTICE PEST MANAGEMENT
Mike Braysher
University of Canberra
Email: [email protected]
For a long time it was thought that if we tried hard enough, we could get rid of our pests. We now know that we cannot
eradicate established pests from the mainland (i.e. remove every last individual). Eradication is only possible on some
islands, or when pest populations are very small and isolated. The new approach to managing pests is set out in the
Australian Pest Animal Strategy. Rather than trying to kill as many pests as possible, the aim is to reduce the damage
that pests cause, down to an acceptable level.
This talk sets out the strategic approach which consists of the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why pest management is required – what is the trigger to take action?
Who is responsible and will develop and own the program?
What is the problem in terms of the desired production/conservation/social result?
Where is the problem and what are the causes?
What information is required to deal with the problem?
Develop the locally owned and implemented program.
Ensure that there is an appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation strategy.
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25
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF FOXES
Glen Saunders
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Primary Industries NSW and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) became established in Australia in the 1870’s and now occupy some 5.8 milionl km2 of the
continent. They impact on populations of many prey species, and as such, are the target of widespread management
programs. Estimates of economic losses through fox predation are highly variable with most tangible losses experienced
by the lamb industry. Current research is not only investigating new fox control tools, but also ways to improve the
effectiveness of landscape management practices. The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC) has
primarily concentrated on the development and registration of Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP), an antidote
(Bluehealer) and a carrier bait (Foxecute) to supplement the use of 1080 in broad-scale control programs. The IA CRC
has also been involved with developing additional tools to assist in fox control including the toxin ejector (M44), lethal
trap devices for attachment to leg-hold traps, and DNA fox detection technology to assist in the Tasmanian eradication
program. Training DVDs have been developed for land managers to enhance their skills in trapping, den fumigation,
bait application and monitoring outcomes. An interactive website for the entering of data on national fox distribution
(FoxScan) has allowed the general public to become involved in, and aware of, fox impacts and control. A revised Code
of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures to address animal welfare issues involving fox control have also been
produced. Because of their invasive nature we have long known that isolated or individual control programs have only
short lasting effects in reducing fox impacts. Recent collaborative research has now clearly demonstrated the benefits
of landscape-scaled fox management programs, incorporating a high level of group participation, to reduce the impact
on vulnerable species. Finally, numerous PestSmart fact sheets and case studies on fox management programs from
around Australia will soon be available on the feral.org.au website. The IA CRC will present their latest results, products
and management recommendations at AWMS and the PestSmart Roadshows in 2012.
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26
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF WILD DOGS
Greg Mifsud
Biosecurity Queensland and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
Wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids), including dingoes, wild living domestic dogs and their hybrids
were introduced to Australia more than 4,000 years ago. The species occupies much of the Australian mainland, where
it has an important role as an apex predator regulating herbivore populations. This, unfortunately, includes livestock.
Wild dogs are reported to cause $50M in economic impact annually on livestock, although more recent estimates are
$67M in Queensland alone. Such impacts have devastating effects on landholders and rural communities resulting
in the decline of the sheep and wool industry and loss of income and employment in many rural communities
across the country. The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC) has been developing products and
strategies aimed at lessening this impact by 10% per annum. The key projects have involved; the development of
para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP), an anitodote (Bluehealer®) and a carrier bait (DOGABATE®) to supplement the
use of 1080 in broad-scale control programs, trialling mechanical ejectors (M44), developing the lethal trap device,
development of best-practice guidelines for wild dog management, understanding the molecular ecology of wild dogs
in Australia, examining the role of wild dogs in the spread of Neospora, developing guidelines for use of guardian dogs,
and demonstrating the strategic approach to integrated wild canid management for agricultural and environmental
benefit at the IA CRC’s New England demonstration site. Importantly, the appointment of a National Wild Dog Facilitator
has ensured information flow from the IA CRC to the community, and built capacity in developing and implementing
wild dog management programs. The suite of new products and information have or will be released in the form of
PestSmart Toolkit fact sheets, glove-box guides and DVDs (trapping DVD already out), and will be detailed at AWMS,
and the PestSmart Roadshows in 2012.
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27
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR MANAGEMENT OF FERAL PIGS
Steven Lapidge
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
Feral pigs (Sus srofa) were introduced into Australia with the First Fleet. Since then there have been many subsequent
introductions of European and Asian swine to the wild. The species now occupies at least 40% of the Australian
mainland, with potentially >20M feral pigs occupying Australia following favourable conditions. The economic impacts
of feral pigs was estimated at $100 million p.a. in the 1980s, equivalent to over $300 million today, although this only
relates to the agricultural impact in favourable times, as social costs and benefits, and environmental costs cannot
be calculated accurately. An objective of the IA CRC was to deliver a benefit of $16 million p.a. by reducing feral pig
damage by 15%. PIGOUT® (1080 active), the HogHopper™, and a better understanding of feral pig management
units based on molecular ecology has already been delivered. Additionally, HOGGONE® (nitrite active), HOGGONE®
Econobait and a nitrite concentrate will ensure that the delivery of this objective is exceeded. All products have
been extensively tested throughout many different habitats in Australia, including the Invasive Animals Cooperative
Research Centre’s (IA CRC) Kangaroo Island (SA) and Daintree National Park (QLD) demonstrations sites. The latest suite
of nitrite-based products has been independently verified to deliver humane, highly target-specific (particularly with
the HogHopper™) and environmentally safe alternatives for feral pig management in Australia. Numerous PestSmart
Toolkit fact sheets, case studies, and personal interviews will shortly be available to document these developments,
and their potential for improved feral pig management. The IA CRC will present their latest results, products and
management recommendations at AWMS and the IA CRC PestSmart Roadshows in 2012.
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28
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR MANAGEMENT OF EUROPEAN RABBITS
Brian Cooke
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
Introduced wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) colonized two-thirds of the Australian continent in little more than 70
years causing huge economic, environmental and social impacts. The introduction of myxoma virus (MV) in 1950 did
much to resolve the problem, but on-going research into biological control, including the release of rabbit fleas as MV
vectors, and the release of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) has been necessary to maintain those benefits.
The release of RHDV also stimulated efforts to clear rabbits from areas and set up rabbit, fox and cat-free areas suited
for introducing endangered native fauna (e.g. Arid Recovery Project).
Current residual economic impact of rabbits remains stubbornly stuck at about $200 million (2011 $) annually and
environmental impacts are just being realized as a result of growing interest in that area: overgrazing native pastures
causing plant biodiversity loss, competing with native herbivores and omnivores, inhibiting the regeneration of native
shrubs and trees, promoting invasive weeds and supporting high numbers of introduced predators. Rabbits only partly
substitute for displaced native species in wider ecosystem processes.
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre’s portfolio for managing rabbits therefore includes constant review
of the management of biocontrol agents (e.g. the evolution of rabbit resistance to RHDV infection, and RCV-A1 which
limits disease impact) but also includes critical economic and environmental reviews to argue the case for future research.
We also collaborate with scientists in Italy, France, Germany and Spain to build expertise. Projects plans include the
implementation of RHD-Boost, a project to select more effective RHDV strains, as well as a watching brief overseas for
completely new biological control agents. To address immediate rabbit problems, PestSmart tool kit literature provides
examples of successful control initiatives for others to follow. These have dealt mainly with the efficient application
of poisoning, warren ripping and the benefits of ‘integrated control’ but have also included new products such as the
development of freeze-dried RHDV for bait application and a carbon monoxide fumigator. Nonetheless, ensuring that
land-managers understand the benefits of rabbit control is also essential if all our research and extension efforts are
to be fully implemented.
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29
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR Managing PEST RodentS
Linton Staples and Marion Atyeo
Animal Control Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd
Email: [email protected]
Invasive rodents are believed to have been introduced into Australia with the First Fleet. Current reports detail
colonisation by four invasive species of rodent (Mus domesticus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and R. tanezumi) although
R. exulance has also been reported on several islands in Australian territory. R. tanezumi was recently identified in the
Adelaide Museum by researchers from specimens collected in the Adelaide Hills. The spread of R. norvegicus since
invasion has not been extensive, remaining largely restricted to areas with regular water supplies (ports and modified
landscapes around coastal regions). Similarly, Melomys burtoni and R. sordidus, both native species, have adapted well
to human modifications to the landscape and sporadically erupt causing massive economic damage (i.e. the sugar cane
industry). M. domesticus and R. rattus are serious pests in domestic, agricultural and industrial situations. M. domesticus
in particular, frequently gives rise to plague situations where damage is not limited to crop loss, but also associated
with disruptions to supply chains, markets and communities.
Controlling pest rodents across a landscape is difficult. Often a species-specific method is required. In the past,
agricultural mouse control has involved a number of chemicals, although many have been discontinued due to public
concern on the grounds of humaneness, environmental contamination, non-target and secondary poisonings, and
commodity contamination (with the implied threat to export markets). The need for a target-species rodenticide with no
residue or contamination issues led to the development of MOUSEOFF® Zinc Phosphide Bait – a target specific product,
with no environmental residues and when used as directed, has negligible non-target and secondary poisoning risks.
This technology then lead to the further development of RATTOFF® Zinc Phosphide Bait Sachets to tackle the increasing
issue of crop damage by R. sordidus and M. burtoni in sugarcane, and proved to be highly successful.
Animal Control Technologies Australia has conducted further testing against R. rattus and M. domesticus in other
horticultural and industrial situations. Results have been mixed; although it is clear the development of different
actives and delivery methods to target R. rattus is required (and is underway), as this species has consistently found
zinc phosphide an unpalatable toxin. A number of these projects have lead to the submission for registration of several
block formulations, as well as planned submissions for extending the current MOUSEOFF® and RATOFF® labels into
horticultural situations.
Rodents are highly skilled at adapting to the controls placed upon them. Understanding rodent ecology is anticipated
to be the key to developing a suite of control options, including bait products and extension material, to combat what
appears to be a significantly growing threat to Australian, and global, production. Trial work conducted assessed
plague dynamics in rural areas specifically assessing rodent translocation over time, foraging behaviour, and efficacy
of baiting practices.
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30
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PESTSMART TOOLKIT FOR MANAGEMENT OF CARP
Wayne Fulton and Kylie Hall
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) are native to Asia and Eastern Europe. They were first introduced to Australia in 1859 and a number
of other introductions were also made in the early 1900s. Carp were widespread but not particularly common in the
Murray-Darling Basin (M-DB) by 1960. Recent genetic studies have confirmed the presence of at least four main strains
of carp in Australia, probably resulting from separate introductions. The rapid expansion of numbers throughout the
M-DB coincided with the release of one of these strains (Boolara strain) into the Basin around 1965. Heavy flooding in
the Basin in 1974–5, and again in 1993, assisted the spread and proliferation of carp throughout the system. Carp have
been linked to environmental degradation in many ways, mainly due to their capacity to multiply prolifically when
conditions are suitable, as well as their particular feeding habits. They are a long-lived species that responds very
quickly to suitable spawning conditions such as flooded marshes. The 2010 floods across the Basin provided perfect
breeding conditions and massive breeding events have occurred. Their feeding habits involve taking mouthfuls of mud
from the bottom and filtering food items from it before expelling the sediments back into the water. This can result in
very turbid water with a variety of effects on water quality and clarity, resulting in a reduced numbers of invertebrates.
Aquatic plants may also be dislodged in the process. The huge numbers of carp could also have a competitive impact
on other species, although they are not primarily a direct predator of other species. The environmental impacts result in
reduction in recreational fishing value, whilst poor water quality reduces aesthetic appeal; both of these have consequent
social impacts. With recreational fishing being an important industry, particularly for many regional communities,
this impact from carp can also be significant. The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre Freshwater Program
has undertaken a range of research projects looking to address various issues associated with carp management and
control. Projects have looked at prevention and detection, population biology, control technologies, education, and
policy support. The results will be made available in a number of forms with all information available on the PestSmart
website, including approximately 30 fact sheets and case studies summarising the work. Approximately 125 reports
and publications are also available. Management implications and opportunities are also presented.
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31
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
COLLARS AND EAR TAGS DO NOT AFFECT THE BEHAVIOUR OF
EASTERN GREY KANGAROOS
Ms Katrina Sofo1, 2 and Graeme Coulson1
1
The University of Melbourne, 2 Melbourne Resource Group, Biosis Research
Email: [email protected]
The population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in the coastal town of Anglesea, Victoria, has been
the subject of an ongoing research program since 2005. Many of these kangaroos have been marked with collars and
ear tags for identification purposes, raising concerns about potential effects on behaviour and animal welfare. We
conducted focal sampling observations of marked and unmarked kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club to determine if
the collars and tags influenced the proportions of time spent in different behavioural states (e.g. foraging, resting,
alert, grooming) during active (foraging) and inactive (resting) periods. There was no difference between marked and
unmarked kangaroos in the proportion of time spent foraging during their active period or in resting during their
inactive period. Kangaroos shook their heads more often during the inactive period, but there was no significant
difference between marked and unmarked kangaroos in the rate of head shakes observed. We conclude that the use
of ear tags and collars does not alter the behaviour of kangaroos at Anglesea, so the use of these markers is appropriate
for research into the behavioural ecology of this population.
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32
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
APPLYING REMOTE AUDIO TECHNOLOGY TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S
STARLING ERADICATION CAMPAIGN
Susan Campbell1, Rob Parr1, Garry Gray1, Gary Martin1, Andrew Woolnough2 and
Malcolm Kennedy1
1
Department of Agriculture and Food, WA, 2 Department of Primary Industries, VIC
Email: [email protected]
The process of locating and removing remaining individuals can often be the most expensive and time consuming
component for any established pest control campaign. Remote detection technology can help reduce these costs by
providing relatively cheap, ongoing surveillance to help locate otherwise hard to find individuals.
The Western Australian (WA) government has proactively managed one of the world’s worst invasive species, the
common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) since it was first detected at the border in the early 1970s. Consequently, the density
of starlings in WA is low, however remaining birds are wary, cryptic and notoriously difficult to locate. Research and
development has played an important role in the control campaign against starlings in WA and our current work aims
to provide a cost-effective operational tool that increases starling surveillance both spatially and temporally.
Forty-nine Song Meter-2 Terrestrial Packages (SM2-TP; Wildlife Acoustics, Massachusetts) were placed at strategic
locations throughout the South Coast region of WA in June 2010. The SM2-TP units were spread over 12 sites, the
majority being swamps with a known history of starling occupation. Each unit has a detection radius of approximately
200 – 300 meters, and between one to nine units are present at each site. Daily sampling is focussed around dawn and
dusk but also includes 10 min samples every hour.
We have compiled a comprehensive reference library of starling calls, predominantly from individuals in South Australia.
Amongst much variable, yet skilful mimicry, we have identified two distinctive ‘starling call signatures’. Colleagues in
New Zealand will use these distinctive call components to develop an automated starling recogniser using Markov
modelling techniques that will be capable of processing large volumes of field recordings. In combination with effective
communication between research and field staff, remote detection technology has the potential to become an important
tool in WA’s starling control campaign, ensuring we detect and respond early to any future starling incursions.
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33
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PREDATOR FAECAL ODOURS AS SUCCESSFUL REPELLENTS FOR
AUSTRALIAN VERTEBRATE PESTS
Tarnya Cox1, 2, Peter Murray1, Graham Hall1, Xiuhua Li1 and AndrewTribe1
1
School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland, 2 Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
Recent research has trialled tiger and lion faecal odours as area deterrents for goats (Capra hircus) and kangaroos
(Macropus giganteus) in rural south eastern Queensland. Kangaroos shifted resting locations in response to the presence
of lion (Panthera leo) faecal odour and were deterred from highly palatable feed. Tiger (P. tigris) faecal odour was
successful at modifying goat grazing patterns (away from the area of repellent) (P = 0.01), and both tiger (P = 0.03) and
lion (P = 0.03) faecal odours resulted in goats moving their resting locations away from the test odours. Video footage
of kangaroos and GPS tracking of goats revealed that animals approached and investigated the odours. Previous
research also highlights that the behaviour of individuals of gregarious species can affect whole-group responses to
predator odours.
The success of the use of predator odours to deter grazing pests is dependant on ensuring that the application of the
odour is done is such a way as to maximise their effect. Repellents based on predator odours, which rely on a fear
response in the target species, are most effective when used in situations where the risk outweighs the benefit.
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34
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
SMELL YOU LATER. LESSONS IN OLFACTION, FROM MULTIPLE-PREDATOR
SYSTEMS, AND THEIR APPLICATION TO MANAGEMENT
Guy Ballard1, Peter Fleming1, Paul Meek2, Sam Doak3, Mark Lamb4, Bernard Whitehead 5, and Col Wilke6
1
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries, 2 Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Coffs Harbour, 3 NSW
National Parks and Wildlife Service, 4 Mount McKenzie Wild Dog Control Association, 5 Saltair Flora and Fauna Control, Crescent
Head, 6 Rural Wild Dog and Wildlife Control, Bonny Hills
Email: [email protected]
Olfaction is vital to interactions within and between species. Many animals rely on scent, for example, to communicate
key information such as identity or reproductive status to conspecifics. Equally, such olfactory cues will be detected
and used by other species; predators, competitors or prey.
Using data gathered from ongoing leg-hold trapping and camera monitoring programs, we present examples of
olfaction-influenced, predator-predator and predator-prey interactions from systems where feral dogs (Canis lupus
dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), cats (Felis catus) and quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) are sympatric.
We contrast our observations with popular assumptions about predator behaviour and discuss options for future
research and management.
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35
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CAN RESTORED BAUXITE MINING AREAS IN THE SOUTHWEST JARRAH FOREST
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA PROVIDE SUITABLE HABITAT FOR A THREATENED
WIDE RANGING CARNIVORE (THE WESTERN QUOLL)?
Rodney McGregor 1, 2, Vicki Stokes 1 and Michael Craig 2
1
Alcoa of Australia Ltd, 2 Murdoch University
Email: [email protected]
The loss of suitable macro- and microhabitat can significantly impact on an animal’s ability to colonise and exist in
an area, ultimately leading to the decline and contraction of a species’ range. The western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii)
or chuditch, is a medium sized, terrestrial marsupial that has suffered catastrophic rates of local extinction and range
contraction since European settlement in Australia, largely attributed to landscape fragmentation. Bauxite mining in
the jarrah forest of south-west Western Australia, where western quoll currently exist, disturbs and fragments large areas
of the landscape, and potentially makes disturbed areas less attractive as a habitat for western quoll. This study was
conducted within Alcoa World Alumina Australia’s mining lease and used a variety of techniques including trapping,
radio-tracking, and spool and line tracking, to examine the ecology and behaviour of western quoll in areas containing
bauxite mine restoration.
Western quoll were found to use areas of restoration of varying age for establishing home ranges and denning, indicating
that restored areas were not a significant barrier to movement or recolonisation. Den sites used in restoration were
most commonly found in rock piles and subterranean burrows, whereas in unmined forest, logs and stumps were the
substrate most frequently utilised. Logs were an important microhabitat feature, with quolls frequently using them
to traverse unmined forest. Individuals were also observed using trees for den sites (in hollows), and for foraging (by
climbing), and suitable trees may also be an important feature of good western quoll habitat.
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36
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
DETECTING AND PREVENTING NEW INCURSIONS OF EXOTIC ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA
Wendy Henderson1, Mary Bomford1 and Phillip Cassey2
1
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 2 University of Adelaide
Email: [email protected]
Of the 81 species or more of exotic vertebrates already established in Australia, over 30 are considered pests. The
accidental or illegal import, and the illegal keeping, of live exotic animals pose risks of introducing more pests in the
future. Environmental releases also hasten the spread of already established exotic populations, increasing the risk of
threats to native species, domestic animals and people. Preventing such incursions is by far the most cost-effective
approach, and clearly of significant benefit to Australia.
Records of environmental incursions and interceptions (seized, surrendered, stolen, smuggled and stowaway animals)
have been collected for exotic vertebrates on a national scale for 1999–2010. Issues with reporting by different agencies,
and the range and numbers of species that have been reported will be presented. Assessments of species’ establishment
and pest potential will be discussed. Continued vigilance and improved communication (between agencies and also
targeted towards the public) will be critical to preventing further incursions and minimising the chances of new pest
species establishing.
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37
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
Preliminary evaluation of a spring-loaded captive bolt gun to stun/kill
in-pouch kangaroo joeys during commercial harvesting
Trudy Sharp and Steve McLeod
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
A captive bolt gun uses either a blank cartridge, compressed air, or a spring mechanism to propel a bolt into/against the
skull. When used correctly they cause rapid insensibility without pain. Penetrative captive bolts guns cause irreversible
damage to the brain and therefore death, whereas non-penetrative captive bolts often only stun the animal and must
be immediately followed by a second method (e.g. exsanguination) to ensure death. Although mostly used during the
slaughter of larger animals such as sheep (Ovis aries) and cattle (Bos spp.), captive bolt guns have also been developed
for use on smaller animals including poultry, dogs (Canis lupus spp.) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
The aim of this project is to trial the efficacy and practicality of a commercially available captive bolt gun, propelled by
a spring mechanism and developed for use on rabbit-sized animals, to stun joeys while they are still in the pouch. The
methods currently used for euthanasing in-pouch joeys are likely to cause a short but intense period of distress when
joeys are removed from the pouch. This distress could arise from loss of physical contact with the pouch, increased
visual and auditory stimuli and, with younger animals, forceful removal from the teat which results in vocalisation and
mouth damage. If effective, spring-loaded captive bolt guns have the potential to reduce or eliminate any suffering
experienced by joeys during euthanasia.
This paper presents the results of initial trials of the captive bolt gun on heads from dead joeys. We found that that
the captive bolt delivers sufficient force to cause significant damage to the skull and brain and is thus likely to result in
immediate insensibility without pain. We will now proceed to testing the device on live animals in controlled conditions
under the supervision of a veterinarian. Field testing of the device with the assistance of harvesters will commence
once we are satisfied that animals are rendered immediately insensible without pain.
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38
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF AUSTRALIAN WHITE IBIS
(THRESKIORNIS MOLUCCA) ON THE GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
Kathleen Varvaro1, Georgette Leah Burns1, Darryl Jones1, Dharma Arunachalam2, and Kirsten McLean2
2
1
Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith University
School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University
Email: [email protected]
While the utility of human dimensions information to wildlife management has long been established, it has not
been widely implemented in Australia. The management of the Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) on the
Gold Coast, Queensland, is used to convey the value obtaining information regarding attitudes toward the species
and public acceptance of a range of management techniques. Cross-cultural attitudes towards ibis are considered,
particularly in relation to the impact they may have on tourism within the study area. The findings of this investigation
are presented along with a brief introduction to continuing research in the area of human dimensions of wildlife
management in Australia.
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39
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
AN ICONIC SPECIES AT THE CENTRE OF PUBLIC DEBATE: CONTEMPORARY
ISSUES IN KOALA MANAGEMENT
Dan Lunney1, Elly Stalenberg1, Karen Ross1 and Mathew Crowther2
1
Office of Environment and Heritage, 2 University of Sydney
Email: [email protected]
The current senate enquiry on the health and status of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Australia places this already
iconic species at the centre of national concern. When you read the submissions to the enquiry and the Hansard of
the public hearings, it becomes abundantly clear that there is enormous public concern for its welfare and future.
The most important contemporary issue in managing koala populations is the human dimension, which has been
recognised in the National Koala Conservation Management Strategy and state-based formal plans. On the one hand
is the concern by wildlife rehabilitators for individual koala care. On the other is the political necessity to manage koalas
at a population level on land that has high value for other uses, such as housing, mining, farming and forestry. These
issues are being compounded by climate change. In our view, effective resolution of the public debate will depend
upon interdisciplinary research underpinning koala management actions.
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40
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CAN WE MANAGE THE PERSISTENCE OF KOALAS IN
ROAD-DOMINATED LANDSCAPES?
Darryl Jones
Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith University
Email: [email protected]
Roads and other linear infrastructure often form a major barrier to the movements of animals, especially those that
move along the ground. The impact and influence of road networks and the traffic they carry, is now recognised
as one of the most profound aspects of urbanisation. Recently, various structures have been constructed over and
under roads to allow the safe passage of vulnerable species. One of the most significantly impacted species in many
parts of eastern Australia is the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), which occurs in a number of major urban areas where
populations are under serious threat. To address this challenge the Queensland Department of Transport of Main Roads
has constructed safe passages in a series of sites among major roads in South East Queensland. Using GPS monitoring
and remote detection technologies, my research group has been following the movements and activities of many
koalas in the vicinity of these structures. Here I report on our findings and provide suggestions for future such projects.
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41
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
DROUGHT-DRIVEN CHANGE IN WILDLIFE DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS: A CASE
STUDY OF KOALAS IN SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND
Leonie Seabrook 1, Clive McAlpine 1, 2, Greg Baxter 1, 2, Jonathan Rhodes 1, 2, Adrian Bradley 3 and Daniel Lunney 4
1
School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Management, The University of Queensland
2
The Ecology Centre, The University of Queensland
3
School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland
4
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW
Email: [email protected]
In many parts of the world global climate change will lead to increased climate variability, including more frequent
drought and heat waves. This will affect the distribution and numbers of wildlife populations. In south-west Queensland
anecdotal reports indicated that a low density but significant koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population had been
impacted by drought from 2001–2009, in accord with the predicted effects of climate change. In this study we tested
that notion by comparing koala distribution and numbers in south west Queensland in 2009 with pre-drought estimates
from 1995–97.
Community surveys and faecal pellet surveys were used to assess distribution. Population densities were estimated
using the Faecal Standing Crop Method. From these densities, koala numbers in ten habitat units were interpolated
across the study region. Bootstrapping was used to estimate standard error. We examined climate and land clearing
as possible explanations for changes in koala distribution and numbers.
Although there was only a minor change in distribution, there was an 80% decline in koala numbers across the study
region, from a mean population of 59,000 in 1995 to 11,600 in 2009. Most summers between 2002 and 2007 were
hotter and drier than average. Vegetation clearance was greatest in the eastern third of the study region, with the
majority of clearing in mixed eucalypt/acacia ecosystems and vegetation on elevated residuals.
Changes in the area of occupancy and numbers of koalas allow us to conclude that drought significantly reduced
koala populations and they contracted to critical riparian habitats. Land clearing in the eastern part of the region may
reduce the ability of koalas to move between habitats.
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42
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
WHEN DOES WILD DOG PREDATION UPON NATIVE SPECIES MOVE FROM NATURAL
TO A THREATENING PROCESS? OBSERVATIONS FROM WILD DOG CONTROL
PROGRAMS AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON KOALA POPULATIONS FROM
WESTERN AND SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
Greg Mifsud 1, 2 and Deborah Tabart OAM3
1
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 2 Biosicurity Queensland, 3 Australian Koala Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Since European settlement, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo) has been exposed to domestic dogs (C.l. familiaris) with the
resulting hybrid wild dogs now occupying much of the landscape. Habitat modification (e.g. increased permanent water
in arid areas, thus providing water and prey during droughts) and increased prey availability after European settlement
have contributed to increases in canid populations throughout Australia. This increase suggests that predation pressure
from canids in some areas is higher than prior to European settlement.
Wild dogs can exert a high intensity of predation pressure on native fauna, especially medium to large macropods.
Even low densities of wild dogs may place additional pressure on species already suffering population declines. As a
consequence, predation from wild dogs has been identified as a key threatening process to the existence of a range of
rare and threatened species, and could be so for Australia’s iconic koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Despite this, significant
debate exists regarding the necessity to manage wild dogs for biodiversity. Failure to manage wild dogs may result in
an increase in predation upon rare and threatened species.
We will discuss the potential of wild dogs to significantly impact koala populations in western and south-eastern
Queensland using information on wild dog density collected from control programs developed through the IA CRC
project “Facilitating a strategic approach to wild dog management throughout Australia”. The paper will pose questions
about whether wild dog densities have caused declines in koala populations, or whether it was due to drought, disease,
habitat loss or a combination of all these factors. Our first study area is around Charleville in semi-arid Queensland,
and we will use information on koalas collected during an ARC research project, while comparing dog control data
collected by Murweh Shire Council. The second example will be from south-east Queensland where information on
wild dog attacks and control have been collected from local government areas north of Brisbane. These data will
be overlaid on the Australian Koala Foundation’s Koala Habitat Atlas and spatial analysis of the data will be used to
help identify management solutions should the following questions can be answered: To what degree do koalas use
the same habitats as wild dogs? What role does habitat fragmentation play in increased predation of koalas by wild
dogs? At what density of wild dogs does the rate of predation exceed what could be considered ‘natural’ to become a
threatening process? What are the management implications for controlling wild dogs for biodiversity? And the most
important question of all: Did these dogs cause the decline of koala populations in these regions?
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43
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
URBAN FOXES: ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Ricky Spencer
Water and Wildlife Ecology Group, Native and Pest Animal Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Invasive species close to human habitation present significant and unique risks that are associated with their
management and epidemiology. Adaptability is often the key to their success as an invasive species. Their ability to
integrate and adjust to urbanisation means increased interactions with humans or pets, and common methods of
control (poisons) are not available in populated areas. Rabies is not currently present in Australia, but it is common
throughout south-east Asia, North America and Europe. Other Lyssaviruses and morbilliviruses have caused human
deaths in Australia over the last 15 years, with flying foxes (family Pteropodidae) being the major vector. Foxes (Vulpes
vulpes) are important vectors of rabies in Europe and North America, accounting for over 50% of diagnosed cases in
initial outbreaks. This study looks at the 12 month movement patterns and behaviours of foxes on the outskirts of
Melbourne, as well as reviews their role in disease spread throughout the world. I also review and present empirical
data on the use of ‘new’ techniques to control foxes in urban areas.
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44
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
RATS IN THE RANKS; DEMOGRAPHIC RESPONSES OF AN INVASIVE SPECIES,
RATTUS RATTUS, TO PEST CONTROL IN URBAN BUSH LAND REMNANTS
Nicole Hansen1, Nelika Hughes2, Peter Banks3
Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences,
University of New South Wales
2
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) NSW
3
Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney
1
Email: [email protected]
Effective wildlife management requires an understanding of how populations are affected by management actions
such as pest control, especially how populations respond and recover. Rates of population recovery after pest control
have been well studied, but the mechanisms influencing such recovery have received little attention. It is generally
unclear which individuals (e.g. adults vs. dispersing juveniles) move in to fill the gaps created by pest control and
whether the presence or demographics of remaining animals affects this reinvasion process. Here, we report on the
demographic changes, movements and activity patterns associated with reinvasion of the feral black rat (Rattus rattus)
using gradients of localised pest control in urban bush land remnants within Sydney, Australia. In doing so, we test
three main theories of the mechanisms of reinvasion: ‘The Founding effect’, the ‘Trickle effect’ and the ‘Vacuum effect’.
Firstly, we examined the demographic and reproductive responses of two populations of black rats within two
successive control scenarios: an imposed controlled population (subjected to localised regular removal associated
with management) and an untreated population (no previous rat removal). Rats were dissected to estimate body
condition, size, age (via eye lens weight) and breeding activity. Individuals captured within the removal population
had similar reproductive activity to those in the untreated population. However, no juveniles were captured in
the removal sites, suggesting that harvesting disrupted reproductive success with consequences for long-term
population dynamics of black rats. These results also suggest that the stable social system in the non-harvested
population is more conducive to juvenile survivorship. We then examined the potential short- and long-term recovery responses by experimentally removing individuals
from 1 ha plots and monitoring reinvasion success and the types of subsequent re-invaders. Mixed responses were
observed from the differing gradients of removal. There was no net influx of individuals four weeks after the initial
targeted removal (from half the grid), possibly due to social blocking of reinvasion by residual animals. However, a
larger scale removal (all animals on the grid) led to gradual reinvasion, with observed increases in population density
and demographic changes led by resident female re-invaders. Radio telemetry showed rats had stable core ranges
with exploratory forays, and were not influenced by the removal of rats or nearby conspecifics with territorial overlap
between individuals. Thus, we conclude that effective rodent management requires a species specific understanding
of population dynamics, an assessment of reinvasion potential before control implementation, and incorporation
of an area larger than 1.58 ha (even at low densities) to prevent reinvasion. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
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45
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
ROOST CHOICE AND BEHAVIOUR BY RAINBOW LORIKEETS, TRICHOGLOSSUS
HAEMATODUS: ASSESSING FUNCTIONAL EXPLANATIONS
Savannah Daoud-Opit and Darryl Jones
Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith University
Email: [email protected]
Urbanisation is increasing around the world, encroaching on natural habitats and impacting plant and animal species.
Traditionally, urban ecology research has focused on the negative influences associated with habitat destruction and
fragmentation. However, the urban environment may also provide significant opportunities for some species, by
creating new ecosystems within which these species can thrive, either by exploiting, or adapting to, these changed
conditions. The success of the rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) in cities throughout Australia over recent
years suggests that this native species has been especially adept at this transition. A conspicuous trait of this species
is the many large, semi-permanent communal roosts they create, often in highly disturbed urban areas. Communal
roosting is a common aggregation phenomenon within animal species, and there are a multitude of hypotheses as
to the function of communal roosting, primarily in regard to predation risk, thermoregulation demands and foraging
efficiency. This paper investigated this successful native Australian bird species in urban environments in south-east
Queensland and assesses the function of the communal roosting aspect of their life history, as well as key characteristics
of their roosting behaviour. This paper increases theoretical understanding of gregarious behaviours and urban ecology.
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46
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
SYNURBANIZATION OF THE PACIFIC BLACK DUCK IN SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND:
THE ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FEEDING DUCKS
Renee Chapman and Darryl Jones
Griffith University
Email: [email protected]
Urbanisation in Australia is removing and modifying natural environments as well as leading to the formation of novel
habitats. While this has proven to be catastrophic for most species, it is also creating opportunities for species able
to exploit these environments. The Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa), an abundant duck using urban parklands
throughout Australia, is one such species. The concept of synurbisation is concerned with understanding the adaptations
of animal populations to anthropogenic environments and anthropogenic influences. This paper investigated the
influence of supplementary feeding on the foraging ecology of the Pacific black duck in urban lakes in south-east
Queensland. We suggest that the common and popular pastime of supplementary feeding has resulted in new foraging
behaviours and patterns within urban populations of this species. These findings have implications for urban wildlife
management and the co-existence of people and animals in urban environments.
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47
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
What we do, don’t and need to know about urban dingoes/wild dogs
Benjamin Allen
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Broken Hill NSW 2880
Email: [email protected]
Dingoes and other wild dogs of unknown genetic integrity (lupus dingo, C.l. familiaris and hybrids) are present in almost
all major cities and towns within their extended range, though little is known of their ecology. The status of the urban
wild dog issue is slowly gaining traction, but is hampered by a lack of information. From scattered reports we know
that urban wild dogs are indeed present in some suburbs of Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Alice Springs,
and Darwin, that they provide a diverse array of impacts, such as attacks on humans, pets and livestock, transmission
of multiple zoonoses, and localized declines of threatened species etc. Some information on their genetics is available,
indicating that both purebreds and hybrids exist in some urban areas. We also know a little bit about their spatial habits,
which appear more reflective of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) and less reflective of rural wild
dogs or international populations of feral domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). There are no published reports on their diet,
densities, social interactions, pack composition, breeding capabilities, population connectivity, or factors affecting
natality and mortality, though it is currently thought that they live in high densities, have generalist diets, exhibit very
loose social structures, breed only once annually, and are limited by available habitat/food resources. While each aspect
of urban wild dog ecology remains critically understudied, the management of urban wild dogs will be advanced most
rapidly by knowledge of their densities and spatial ecology, with particular reference to how far individuals can roam
and how connected each population is. Information on their genetics and environmental impacts (e.g. their risks to
koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and other threatened species) will likely raise the profile of urban wild dogs with the
public. To manage urban wild dogs for any purpose (positive or negative), the development of control tools more
amenable to use in urban areas is paramount.
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48
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UPTAKE OF FOX BAITS BY TASMANIAN DEVILS
Channing Hughes 1, Robbie Gaffney 2, Christopher Dickman 1
1
University of Sydney, 2 Fox Eradication Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Tasmania
Email: [email protected]
The recent introduction of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to Australia’s island state of Tasmania represents a major threat
to native fauna. In response, the Tasmanian government has begun a fox eradication program using Foxoff®; bait
containing the poison sodium monofluoroacetate (commonly known as 1080). The bait is potentially attractive to
native Tasmanian carnivores as well as to foxes. Of particular concern is the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus
harrisii), which is already at risk from an emergent infectious disease, Devil Facial Tumor Disease. In both a captive and
a field study using nontoxic Foxoff bait, we assessed bait palatability and possible effects of demographics, hunger
level, bait age, and bait burial method on the likelihood of bait uptake by Tasmanian devils. Captive devils showed
varying interest in the bait, but wild devils appeared to find it uniformly palatable. In the captive study, males and
younger, captive-born animals were more likely to excavate and remove bait. Subterranean burial at 15 cm was the most
effective deterrent to bait excavation; effectiveness decreased at shallower depths and with surface-level bait buried
beneath soil mounds. Our findings suggest that the current fox-baiting campaign may negatively impact individual
devils. More extensive study is necessary to assess potential risk at the population level.
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49
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
HOPSTOP® AS A EUTHANSING AGENT FOR CANE TOADS
David Dall
Pestat Pty Ltd
Email: [email protected]
The cane toad (Rhinella [Bufo] marinus) is an invasive pest that is common in urban environments in tropical and subtropical Australia. Cane toads produce potent poisons in their skin and body, so that animals that eat – or even mouth
– a toad are frequently killed. As well as the impact on urban wildlife, many domestic pets – particularly dogs – are
poisoned by cane toads each year.
HopStop® was developed by Pestat Pty Ltd to provide a safe, effective, humane and convenient method for householders
to kill cane toads, and is the only product registered in Australia for the purpose. We have previously described its use
and efficacy for control of toads on an individual basis.
Our recent further work has shown that the product can be used with high efficiency to simultaneously euthanase
multiple toads held in confined conditions. This work extends the potential for use of the product to situations where
large numbers of toads need to be controlled, such as urban parks, gardens and reserves, and events where large
numbers of toads are collected as part of community pest awareness programs.
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50
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
EVALUATION OF BAITING WITH PIGOUT® IN A SUB-ALPINE FORESTED
NATIONAL PARK
Don Fletcher and Trish MacDonald
ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
Email: [email protected]
This project evaluated baiting programs using the new commercially-available bait known as PigOut®, for its potential
to reduce the density of feral pig (Sus scofa) populations.
New methods of vertebrate pest control have often been evaluated against abundant populations of naive animals,
but control methods face a much tougher test in reality – repeated deployment in maintenance operations against
populations reduced to low density by previous control. Namadgi National Park is an appropriate place for realistic
evaluations of pig control programs, having conducted feral pig control programs annually since 1985, using Warfarintreated wheat. Baiting with PigOut® was assessed in two sites within Namadgi National Park for its ability to reduce
the pig population sufficiently to offset a potential 52% annual population increase, and to maintain pig density at a
level likely to be associated with a low level of environmental damage.
Previous evaluations of Pigout® have been conducted either in the very different environment of the rangelands, or
when conducted in Namadgi, only the percentage of pigs on roads which consumed baits that they had approached
was recorded. Our study estimated the reduction in feral pig density using methods independent of the pig control
methods, thereby helping fill a knowledge gap about the effect of pig control on pig abundance. We indexed pig
density before and after baiting on both sites. Density was assumed to be proportional to the percentage of previously
inspected plots that had been freshly rooted by pigs, and the percentage of previously cleared plots that contained
fresh pig dung.
A trial was also carried out to reduce non-target uptake of the baits, particularly by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). A
successful method was to cover the toxic baits with a plastic storage box, pegged firmly to the ground so that only
the pigs’ strength could dislodge it.
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51
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
BROAD-SCALE VIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF AN ENDANGERED RAPTOR: THE
BONELLI’S EAGLE IN WESTERN EUROPE
Joan Real and Antonio Hernandez-Matias
Conservation Biology Group, Department of Animal Biology, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona
Email: [email protected]
We performed a population viability analysis of the Western European metapopulation of Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata)
and estimated key vital rates from 12 subpopulations (1990–2009). We evaluated model uncertainty by comparing
observed and predicted growth rates in the past. Our results support that all subpopulations from Western Europe
belong to the same metapopulation, which behaves in a source-sink dynamics fashion. The predicted viability varied
according with our assumptions on dispersal behavior: the more constrained dispersal the more pessimistic predictions.
Parameter uncertainty markedly increased the risk of metapopulation decline. Finally, sensitivity analyses indicated
that survival is the chief vital rate regulating these populations.
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52
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
MONITORING RARE MYCOPHAGOUS MAMMALS: DETECTING THE PRESENCE
OF POTOROOS VIA FORAGING-DIG SURVEYS
Robert Reed and Kath Handasyde
University of Melbourne
Email: [email protected]
Basic knowledge of a species’ distribution and abundance is crucial for conservation management planning but
directly monitoring rare and cryptic species directly can be problematic, requiring large amounts of time and funding.
Therefore, other census methods, using secondary signs, are often required. This study aimed to establish a rapid and
relatively inexpensive method to survey for the presence of long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus), a mycophagous
macropod important for promoting long-term ecosystem health. Foraging-dig surveys, live trapping and hair-tubing
were used to detect the presence of potoroos at various sites in the French Island National Park, Victoria. There was a
positive correlation between density of foraging-digs, potoroo density and hair-tube ‘hits’, with foraging-dig surveys
being more reliable in detecting potoroos at low population densities. Potoroo foraging-dig densities showed a
seasonal pattern, with more digs present during winter and spring. Foraging-digs were also more common in wetter
vegetation communities. Foraging-dig surveys are a low-cost census method that can be used at multiple sites over
a short period and should be used as the first indication of presence, and changes in distribution and abundance, of
this and similar species.
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53
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
SCAT HAPPENS: SEPARATING THE GOOD FROM THE BAD USES OF DINGO SCAT DATA
Benjamin Allen
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
Dingo (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) scats can be so much more than just crooked and stinky lumps of hair, bone,
and brown. In this paper, I discuss what dingo scats can provide evidence for and what dingo scats can’t reveal. Using
data from over 4,200 scats collected from paired baited and unbaited treatment areas at five sites over 2–4 years in
northern South Australia, I demonstrate that scats can indicate the presence of dingoes, the presence of some of the
prey they eat, and the frequency with which dingoes ate them, but scats alone could not indicate how many dingoes
were there, how often dingoes deposited scats, what else dingoes do or could eat, whether or not the prey items were
killed or scavenged, what the social status of the dingoes were, the functional roles of dingoes on mesopredators and
prey, or the influence of dingo control on these factors. The representativeness of scats collected from resource points
is unknown, and the usefulness of scats largely depends on the study design. Hence, scats can be useful for a variety of
investigations, but their true potential is only realized when they’re systematically collected, combined with additional
sampling and survey techniques, and analysed in reliable ways. These findings have implications for previous studies
that may have seen more in a scat than what was really there, and they should assist future studies in designing projects
to maximize the value of hat-full of scats.
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54
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FERAL CAT CULLING: A CASE STUDY
FROM TASMANIA
Billie Lazenby1, Christopher Dickman1 and Nick Mooney
1
Institute of Wildlife Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Feral cats (Felis catus) are recognised as a key threat to Australia’s biodiversity, but effective methods of reducing
the impacts of widespread, well established populations remain generally elusive. Culling feral cats in order to
reduce their population size is one management option, especially on islands or in other discrete geographical
areas and/or areas where there are high value assets to protect. Until the recent widespread availability of
automatically triggered digital cameras, monitoring programs aimed at measuring the effectiveness of culling
operations were generally limited to indexes of cat activity such as those arising from spotlight and footprint
counts. We used individual-specific coat patterns on feral cats to estimate abundance using capture-recapture
techniques at four sites in southern Tasmania. We then enacted feral cat culling operations at two of the sites
using standard live-trapping methods and monitored feral cat numbers at all four sites for the following two
years. Our results indicated that overall cat activity or abundance did not decrease as a consequence of the
culling program. We discuss the reasons and also the implications of our findings for cat management more
generally.
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55
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
NOT TAKING THE BAIT – REMOTE CAMERA MONITORING OF SPECIES
UPTAKE OF 1080 BAITS IN SOUTHWEST WA FORESTS
Shannon Dundas, Peter Adams and Patricia Fleming
School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University
Email: [email protected]
Under ‘Western Shield’, the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation have aerially deployed
1080 meat baits seasonally over the last 15 years, covering almost 3.5 million ha. Supplementary hand baiting is also
carried out at high conservation significance sites (e.g. swamps harbouring threatened quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
populations). Previous bait uptake studies have predominantly focussed on unbaited areas, with foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
taking a large percentages of baits. Few studies have investigated bait uptake under established baiting programs.
We monitored 1080 bait uptake at seven monthly hand-baited sites (baited over 14 years to protect known quokka
populations). Our study shows that very few baits are taken by target pest species (i.e. < 10% of baits were taken by
foxes, cats or feral pigs), with non-target species, including quokkas (~ 45% of baits monitored), western grey kangaroos
(Macropus fuliginosis), bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus), brush tail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), and mardo (Antechinus
flavipes), frequently consuming baits. Baits were out for an average of four days after deployment; the longest duration
monitored was 30 days. This study indicates that only a small proportion of baits are being taken by target feral species.
The large uptake by non-target species, particularly native species that are already of conservation importance, suggests
that greater focus needs to be placed on bait delivery mechanisms.
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56
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
THE IMPACTS OF SAMBAR ON FOREST UNDERSTOREYS IN THE
YARRA RANGES NATIONAL PARK, AUSTRALIA
Ami Bennett and Graeme Coulson
Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne
Email: [email protected]
Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) were introduced to Australia in the mid 1800s, and have become established throughout
eastern Victoria. This study is located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, 100 km north east of Melbourne, and primarily
consists of three protected water catchments. This study was conducted between 2005 and 2008 in the Upper Yarra and
O’Shannassy catchments. Exclusion plots (10 × 10 m) were established in units consisting of three plot types: a total plot
that excludes all herbivores, a partial plot that excludes sambar but allows access to native herbivores via a gap at the
base, and an open plot (no fence) that allows access to all herbivores. The selective exclosures allowed differentiation
of sambar and native herbivore browsing on forest understoreys. In total, 46 exclusion units were established, stratified
by sambar density and vegetation type. Browsing by sambar in high densities inhibited the vertical growth of plants
in the understorey, with branches above 60 cm in height most frequently and intensely browsed, and plant biomass
was also significantly reduced. These findings show sambar can alter the structure, and potentially the composition,
of forest understoreys, which has significant implications for the future management of this species in Australia.
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57
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
THE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE HEALTH NETWORK AND THE PROTECTION
OF BIODIVERSITY
Rupert Woods1 and Lyndel Post2
1
Australian Wildlife Health Network, 2 Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry
Email: [email protected]
Australia has one of the best biosecurity systems in the world. Identifying priorities for surveillance and coordination
across jurisdictions can, however, be challenging especially in a federated system. This is especially so in the wildlife
sector, where activities not only require coordination across jurisdictions, but also across multiple agencies, organizations
and industries.
The Australian Wildlife Health Network (AWHN) is an initiative of the Australian government comprising a network of
stakeholders across Australia with an interest in wildlife health. The core business activity is coordination of wildlife
health surveillance information into a national database that can be used to improve decision making, management,
and policy development to protect Australia’s trade, human health, livestock health and biodiversity. Core funding
comes from agriculture (Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - DAFF) through
the Wildlife Exotic Disease Preparedness Program (WEDPP).
The framework built by AWHN primarily supports Australia’s agricultural trade interests; however diseases with wildlife
as part of their ecology also significantly impact upon human health (e.g. bird flu, psittacosis, SARS) and biodiversity
(e.g. Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease, Beak and Feather Disease, Chytridiomycosis).
This paper discusses wildlife disease in Australia and concludes that though many good research and policy initiatives
are occurring, Australia needs to continue to integrate wildlife health surveillance activities into national frameworks,
better coordinate activities between agencies, and recognise the mutual need for sustained direction and focus. An
expansion of AWHN activities to support those agencies with carriage of the problems relating to environment and
health offers Australia an effective and coordinated way to provide the information needed to make better decisions
regarding the management of diseases with wildlife as part of their ecology. Utilisation of this system by these agencies
will assist in limiting the deleterious impact of wildlife disease on natural ecosystems and human health and provide
improved ecological, economic and social benefits to Australia.
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58
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
WILDLIFE HEALTH SURVEILLANCE VICTORIA
Pam Whiteley1, Ian Beveridge2 and Andrew Vizard2
1
Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria, 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne
Email: [email protected]
Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria (WHSV) was established at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of The University of
Melbourne in 2008. WHSV aims to improve knowledge of the baseline health of free ranging wildlife populations in
Victoria, detect changes in health patterns, and help identify the drivers or risk factors involved. WHSV is a cooperative
and collaborative project involving governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as individuals reporting
morbidity and mortality events for investigation. Expertise in pathology, parasitology, epidemiology, microbiology
and virology at the Faculty of Veterinary Science and other institutions contributes to investigations. Feedback is
provided and data reported to key stakeholders and the Australian Wildlife Health Network (surveillance data) and the
Australian Registry of Wildlife Health (ABIN WildHealth, pathology data). Communication is undertaken by telephone,
email, regular newsletters and meetings, and talks to agency and community groups. An overview of the project and
some outcomes will be presented.
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59
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
CONTROLLING RABIES IN SEMI-WILD DOG POPULATIONS – LESSONS
FROM INDONESIA
Helen Scott-Orr1, Ketut Gunata2, Christoffel Madha3, Simon Nany4, Margaretha Siko5, and Agung Putra6
4
1
NSW Primary Industries, 2 Badung District Livestock Services, 3 Ngada District Livestock Services,
East Flores Livestock Services, 5 Sikka District Livestock Services, 6Disease Investigation Centre, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]
Rabies has been spreading slowly eastwards in Indonesia, reaching Flores in 1997, Maluku in 2003, North Maluku in
2005 and Bali in 2008. Attempts to control and eradicate it island-by-island through mass dog vaccination and dog
population control have been confounded by the very large proportions of stray, semi-wild dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
in each location. Attempts have been further hampered by the cultural differences across the islands which affect the
interactions between communities and dog populations, as well as by significant resource constraints. So far rabies
has not been eradicated from any major Indonesian island where it has occurred.
An ACIAR project, “Improving veterinary service delivery in a decentralized Indonesia” has supported applied research
leading to better control strategies for rabies in Flores and Bali, including five local Masters and two PhD studies.
These studies have demonstrated the critical importance of understanding dog/human ecology in different locations
so that appropriate rabies control strategies can be devised. Effective rabies control by achieving and maintaining
dog vaccination coverage of 70% requires wildlife population estimation methods to supplement traditional census
techniques to determine dog populations. To increase community awareness and support the chosen rabies control
strategy, a good understanding of the reasons why people keep dogs and their opinion of different control methods
is also required. This paper will summarise some of the field research findings, including differences between areas in
dog population structure and density, varying reasons for keeping dogs, dog home ranges, and dogs’ access to feed.
Options for using oral rabies vaccine to supplement injectible vaccine and the relative roles of vaccination and dog
population control will also be discussed.
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60
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
WILDLIFE DISEASE DYNAMICS: A STUDY OF SALMONELLA IN
FERAL PIGS (SUS SCROFA)
Katherine Negus1, Brendan Cowled1, Francesca Galea2, Graeme Garner3, Shawn Laffan4, Ian Marsh2,
Stephen Sarre5, Andrew Woolnough6 and Michael Ward1
1
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney
Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Primary Industries
3
Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Canberra
4
The School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales
5
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra
6
Department of Primary Industries, VIC
2
Email: [email protected]
Although wildlife populations have been involved in many recent significant emergency disease outbreaks world-wide,
e.g. Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome , Avian Influenza, Classical Swine Fever, and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD),
current understanding of how disease spreads in these populations is limited. This restricts effective disease prevention
or control in such populations. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa), in particular, are a widespread wildlife species in Australia that
constitute a major biosecurity threat. This study is part of a wider project which aims to improve understanding of
infection dynamics of emergency diseases in wildlife by using feral pigs in the Kimberley, Western Australia, as a case
study.
As a first step to understanding disease dynamics in feral pigs, the spread of an endemic disease, Salmonella, is being
investigated utilising molecular epidemiological methods. This data will be combined with feral pig demographic,
geospatial and remotely sensed environmental data to examine the presence and risk factors for disease. In the future,
these findings will be augmented with detailed information on the feral pig population structure from genetic analyses
to better understand transmission of infectious agents in the feral pig population. This data will be used to inform and
parameterise computer simulation models of important trans-boundary diseases, such as FMD, to help determine the
potential role of feral pigs in an outbreak of such a disease under local conditions. These models can also be used to
test appropriate surveillance and mitigation strategies.
Salmonella transmission in feral pigs has been investigated by sampling 651 animals at geo-referenced locations in a
20,000 km2 study area based on the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley, WA. Demographic data were collected for all pigs,
and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and faeces taken for Salmonella culture and serotyping. Salmonella was cultured
from a total of 240 animals; 33% (95% CI 29–36%) had positive faecal samples, with 38 different serovars from 221
isolates. Salmonella was cultured from 14% (95% CI 11–17%) of MLNs, yielding 24 serovars from 69 isolates. Overall, 39
different serovars were isolated in the study. The most common serovar isolated from both faecal samples and MLNs
was Salmonella Anatum − 20% and 16%, respectively. The agreement between isolation of Salmonella (any serovar)
from faecal samples and MLNs − measured by the kappa statistic − was low (κ 0.15). Only 42 animals cultured Salmonella
from both faecal and MLN samples and the same serovars were isolated in 16 of these (38%). Salmonella serovars are
being further characterised using pulsed field gel electrophoresis and analyses undertaken to investigate risk factors
for disease status and disease spatial structuring. Further results will be presented, but preliminary findings highlight
the potential of feral pigs to act as a reservoir of Salmonella for domestic livestock and humans.
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61
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
HYDATID DISEASE, CAUSED BY THE CANINE TAPEWORM ECHINOCOCCUS
GRANULOSUS, IS WIDESPREAD IN NATIVE WILDLIFE, AND MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO
THE DECLINE OF SOME ENDANGERED SMALL MACROPODID POPULATIONS
David Jenkins1 and Tamsin Barnes2
1
Charles Sturt University, 2 University of Queensland
Email: [email protected]
Echinococcus granulosus is transmitted in a predator/prey relationship between canids and a range of herbivore species,
usually domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and sheep (Ovis aries), but the transmission pattern may also include
wildlife species. The importance of E. granulosus is its potential to also infect humans, causing major morbidity and
occasionally death. Approximately 80 new human cases are diagnosed annually in Australia. E. granulosus was introduced
into Australia during settlement with domestic livestock and dogs. Since Australian native wildlife evolved without this
parasite, E. granulosus spread easily into wild populations of macropodid marsupials and dingoes in eastern Australia,
and is now widespread and prevalent. Hydatid cysts develop more rapidly in wallabies than in sheep, leading to major
negative health impacts and death, as demonstrated in captive Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) studies and in
studies on wild populations of brush-tailed rock wallabies (Petrogale penicillata). Infected wallabies are more susceptible
to predation by dingoes/wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids.). The rapid rate of cyst development
in macropodids, together with the heavy tapeworm infections seen in dingoes/wild dogs, contribute to the higher
rate of transmission of E granulosus occurring in Australian wildlife when compared to domestic hosts. Incursions of E.
granulosus-infected dingoes/wild dogs into urban areas of coastal Queensland, and recent hydatid disease data from
Tasmania, will be discussed in relation to the potentially important public health issues identified by these new data.
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62
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
ON STRATEGIC ASPECTS OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Jim Hone
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra
Email: [email protected]
Wildlife management can involve choosing how to conserve species and control pests and their effects. The description
of the effects of any manipulation of pest density by lethal or non-lethal methods relies on there being relationships
between “yield”, damage, pest abundance and control efforts. If there are no such relationships then prediction of
the effects of pest control is impossible unless pests are eradicated. The relationships can be viewed as a statistical
pattern or as the outcome of an ecological process. Examples of the relationships are described for: sheep (Ovis aries)
and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus); cereal crops and house mouse (Mus musculus), and ground disturbance and feral
pigs (Sus scrofa). Issues of pattern and process will be examined and the strategic implications examined for wildlife
management.
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63
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
SCALING UP PEST CONTROL STRATEGIES: FROM SMALL COMMUNITY-LED
BLOCKS TO LANDSCAPE SCALES
Andrea Byrom, Al Glen and Roger Pech
Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
Email: [email protected]
Invasive species management is usually targeted at selected areas (patches) deemed to be of high importance, with
little or no management in the surrounding landscape. This may lead to persistence of some native biota only in areas
where invasive animals are controlled, with occasional dispersal between protected patches. This spatial array of patches
across a landscape is known in ecological theory as a metapopulation.
How can we apply metapopulation concepts to improve outcomes of invasive species management for native
biodiversity? Increasingly, community conservation initiatives in New Zealand and Australia are involved in preserving,
restoring and even re-introducing native biota, often in small patches in their ‘backyard’. Therefore, one of the most
obvious practical means of adopting a metapopulation paradigm is to use such community-protected blocks as source
areas or stepping stones, in order to manage invasive species and native biota at a landscape scale. This means that
both large and small sites, from small community-led initiatives to large-scale agency-funded pest control operations,
all have the potential to contribute to survival of indigenous metapopulations, with immigrants from neighbouring
patches providing a ‘rescue effect’ in the event of local extinctions. The resilience of the metapopulation is therefore
much greater than that of a single, isolated population.
With the aid of several practical examples, we show that in New Zealand and Australia smarter use of existing control
tools can allow us to think beyond short term crisis management, and that we can establish integrated networks of pest
management zones that facilitate long term persistence of native species across landscapes. (Conversely, landscapebased pest control programmes can be designed to reduce connectivity and enhance suppression of invasive species.)
The goal is to improve the timing and location of pest control to promote metapopulations of native species, re-establish
large-scale ecosystem processes, and hence provide greater overall benefits for biodiversity.
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64
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
THE COMMUNITY BAITING PROGRAM MODEL: A TRULY CROSS-TENURE APPROACH
TO EFFECTIVE CANID CONTROL IN FAR EAST GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA
Andrew Murray
Department of Sustainability & Environment
Email: [email protected]
Effective fox (Vulpes vulpes) control across any area of land can be compromised if a significant percentage of land
within the area of operation is not subject to the control method being applied.
In Far East Gippsland, Victoria, the Southern Ark project has been effectively controlling foxes across 900,000 ha of
forested public land that makes up the East Gippsland Forest Management Area (EGFMA). While this includes 90% of
the EGFMA, there are several areas of freehold land that exist as large inliers within the area of operation that collectively
make up approximately 100,000 ha.
From the 1st of January 2008, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries ceased to be the agency responsible for
selling 1080 baits to landholders; from that date onward landholders were only able to purchase baits from accredited
retailers or licensed perishable bait manufacturers. This change was accompanied by the requirement for landholders
who wished to use 1080 baits to complete a half-day training course and obtain a 1080 endorsement to the Agricultural
Chemical Users Permit, which is the permit required to use Schedule 7 toxins. There were also changes in the paperwork
that landholders who wished to bait had to complete. The result of these collective changes was that the majority of
private landholders in Far East Gippsland ceased to carry out any canid control programs on their own properties, and
there was definitely no coordinated community approach to canid control for several years.
The fact that landholders were not baiting, especially in the Deddick, Tubbut and Bendoc areas of Far East Gippsland,
had three very important consequences. Firstly, because wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C.l. familiaris and hybrids) were
not being effectively targeted on freehold land, local landholders were suffering significant stock losses. Secondly,
the large inliers of freehold land continued to support robust populations of foxes which continued to compromise
the work of the Southern Ark team working on public land. The final consequence could be termed the deterioration
in the social and psychological fabric of the community; landholders were sleep-deprived and subject to elevated
levels of stress, and the personal relationships between landholders and government agency staff had deteriorated
to an all-time low.
This paper will discuss how the Southern Ark team and their agency partners developed the Community Baiting
Program model and how we worked with landholders to address this dire situation.
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65
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING WILD CANIDS: PASSIVE ADAPTIVE CO-MANAGEMENT
BY COMMUNITIES IN NORTH EASTERN NSW
Peter Fleming and Guy Ballard
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
The management of wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are inextricably
linked because available technologies (silver and lead bullets) target both species. This has advantages and
disadvantages, depending on the goal of management. We have the technologies to substantially reduce wild canid
populations but their application at landscape scales sufficient to achieve program objectives is often wanting or subject
to competing values. Where the impetus for management is livestock predation, some action is likely but will be less
effective than a unified approach across tenures. Limited budgets result in inertia and ineffective or no action, with
active wildlife management being the first casualty. A passive adaptive co-management process can accommodate
most asset protection objectives for managing wild canids at the landscape scale.
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Reseach Centre wild canid management demonstration site has facilitated community
co-management of wild canids in north eastern NSW using the strategic approach. The objectives of our community
include protection of predation-affected wildlife, livestock and pets from predation, while providing protection for
dingoes where appropriate. Here we outline and recommend our revised strategic approach, with a cross-tenure
strategy to promote community co-management of wild canids for biodiversity and production gains, and present
interim results of program monitoring and associated applied research that has informed management strategies.
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66
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
STRATEGIC AERIAL APPLICATION OF BAITS PROVIDES ECONOMIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Bruce Warburton, David Latham and Graham Nugent
Landcare Research, New Zealand
Email: [email protected]
Aerial control of vertebrate pests in New Zealand (possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), rats (Rattus spp.), rabbits (Oryctolagus
cuniculus) has evolved over the last 3–4 decades with current best practice based on a desire to achieve a uniform
application of baits across the landscape inhabited by the target pest, and enough bait to obtain the 90+% kills
required. However when the amount of bait used per hectare is examined in the context of how many target pests are
present, there is an obvious disjunction between what seems obvious, and best practice. For example, best practice for
possum control requires 2–3 kg of 12 g bait to be sown/ha (i.e. 250 baits) for a maximum of 10 possums/ha. Similarly
for rabbits, 25–30 kg of carrot bait is sown (i.e. 6000 baits) for a maximum of perhaps 100 rabbits/ha. So why is best
practice applying such high, and on the face of it, unnecessary sowing rates? Recent field studies indicate that the
high sowing rates have been used as a solution to overcome poor bait quality. Because it is operationally difficult to
deliver perfect baits (i.e. each bait having a lethal dose), most pests have to encounter and eat multiple baits to ingest
a lethal dose. We will present some recent field trial data that shows high kills of possums and rabbits can be achieved
with significant reductions in bait sowing rates, and that examining the problem in a framework of a time-constrained
functional response can explain the problem and the solution.
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67
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
THE ROLE OF MHC IN MATE CHOICE WITHIN THE TASMANIAN DEVIL
(Sarcophilus harrisii) INSURANCE POPULATION
Tracey Russell1, Rebecca Spindler2, Beata Ujvari1, Amanda Lane1,
Catherine Herbert1, Kathy Belov1
1
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, 2 Taronga Zoo, NSW
Email: [email protected]
Devil Facial Tumour Disease, a transmittable and fatal cancer has decimated the wild population of Tasmanian devils
(Sarcophilus harrisii) to the point where they are now threatened with extinction and listed on the IUCN red list. This
disease, which originated in the north east of Tasmania, has now spread throughout ~80% of the devil’s range. The
cancer is caused by a clonal cell line which originated in a single devil and is spread from animal to animal by biting.
Due to a paucity of genetic diversity, especially amongst the genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), the
Tasmanian devil’s immune system does not recognise the tumour as non-self and does not mount an immune response.
The aim of this study is to investigate the role of MHC in mate choice within the Tasmanian devil insurance population,
housed in zoos and conservation parks across Australia. As well as a key role in immune response, MHC genes are also
thought to play an important role in mate choice with animals preferring to breed with mates that differ at their MHC
to maximise the immunological fitness of their offspring. The hypothesis to be tested is whether breeding success
correlates with MHC dissimilarity.
My research project will track microsatellite diversity at both neutral and MHC linked loci. Preliminary analyses show
variation within breeding pairs at the MHC linked loci, along with high levels of heterozygosity amongst the insurance
population. The next phase of the project will be to explore the role of MHC and mate choice within this captive
insurance population.
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68
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO RABBIT POPULATIONS ACROSS
AUSTRALIA
Tarnya Cox1, June Liu2, Tanja Strive2 and Glen Saunders1
1
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries, 2 CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Canberra
Email: [email protected]
After the escape of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) off Wardang Island, South Australia in 1995, a number
of intensive and broad-scale monitoring sites were established around Australia. These sites monitored the impact of
RHDV on rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations across the country. After the initial success of RHDV, its effectiveness
appears to have waned. As part of the RHD-boost project to improve the biocontrol of rabbits, seven of the original
11 intensive monitoring sites have been revisited and rabbit populations assessed.
Preliminary results will be presented including rabbit density and the serological status (with respects to RCV-A1) of
the populations.
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69
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
ANALYSIS OF CAMERA TRAP DATA FOR POPULATION MONITORING
Andrew Bengsen
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
Animal-triggered cameras (camera traps) are increasingly being used to monitor changes in wildlife or pest population
parameters such as abundance or density. However, many monitoring programs are not as effective as they could be
because they produce only simple counts of animal observations, which are not amenable to statistical interpretation.
Here, we use survey data from manipulated pest animal populations to investigate two approaches to the analysis of
data derived from camera trap surveys: relative abundance indexing and capture-recapture abundance estimation. A
modification of the widely-used passive tracking index model applied to camera trap observations identified detectable
decreases in feral pig (Sus scrofa) and cat (Felis catus) populations after trapping programs. The ability to identify individual
cats from unique coat patterns also allowed the use of robust design capture-recapture models, which detected the
decrease in local cat abundance resulting from population manipulation. In addition to the ability to detect changes in
population abundance, observations in both studies indicated short-term population recovery through immigration.
These results show that the value of monitoring programs using camera traps, which often report only simple counts
of animal observations, can be greatly improved with application of statistical methods that are appropriate to the
species and monitoring objectives.
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70
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
Feral goats in western NSW: how many and rates of increase
Peter Fleming1, Guy Ballard1, Nicole Payne2, Peter West1, Gavin Melville1 and Udai Pradhan1
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Kangaroo Management Program, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
1
2
Email: [email protected]
Feral goats (Capra hircus) are contentious animals because they are simultaneously regarded as a resource and a pest.
To enable strategic management of feral goats in western NSW, their density and distribution and rates of change in
these factors are required. The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage’s Kangaroo Management Program (KMP) also
counts goats during its annual kangaroo aerial surveys. However, these goat data have not been analysed since 1992
because no correction factor was available. We first determined detection models and detection probabilities for 100 m
and 200 m strip transects and applied resultant correction factors to KMP goat data from 1993–2011. These population
estimates were then used to describe the distribution of goats during the period and to estimate rates of increase.
Although goat numbers declined gradually from 1992 ( = 795,000) to 1999 (  = 528, 500), a steep increase in
abundance was evident thereafter. In 2011 estimated abundance reached 2,998,700. Exponential rates of increase
averaged 0.07 per annum and ranged from -0.242 in 1995/1996 to 0.517 in 1999/2000. From 2000 on, the average
exponential rate of increase was 0.111. These high rates of increase were in the context of linearly increasing harvest
rates. The consequences for management are discussed.
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71
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
EXPLORING THE CAPACITY OF NRM ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT INVASIVE ANIMAL
MANAGEMENT NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE
Jessica Marsh
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
Across Australia, there are 56 natural resource management regions (NRMs). The regions are based on physical
catchments or bioregions and were established from 2000 to 2004 by the Commonwealth and State/Territory
governments. Each NRM organisation has the ability to play a critical role in invasive species management, education
and awareness, as all land across Australia falls within one of the 56 specified regions.
Each NRM region has been reviewed with regard to their invasive animal management history, current targets, designated
staff, resources, and future plans to tackle their individual invasive species issues. Understandably, each NRM agency
has a different suite of issues to deal with including extreme weather events, complicated mixes of pest species and
environments, varied land tenure, peri-urban issues, high staff turnover, and competing priorities. The workings of NRM
agencies are explored and issues that play a role in both decreasing and increasing regional NRM agency capacity,
especially in the invasive species management field, are revealed.
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72
Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference 2011
MONITORING MALLEEFOWL (Leipoa ocellata) ACTIVITY USING CAMERA TRAPS:
PREDATOR INTERACTIONS AND TRAP SUCCESS IN THE GOONOO FOREST, NEW
SOUTH WALES
Annette Brown
University of Sydney and Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Primary Industries
Email: [email protected]
Camera-trapping has become a popular tool for monitoring wildlife and is particularly useful for detecting cryptic species
and predation events. Images capture a true record of species’ presence along with critical data such as date, time and
temperature, which can be valuable for conservation planning and evaluation. The plight of malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
in Australia is that of several native ground-dwelling species, which have been significantly affected by habitat loss and
fragmentation, and the introduced fox (Vulpes vulpes). Malleefowl are elusive and solitary by nature, which presents
a challenge to those seeking to plan and promote recovery of the species. This study demonstrates how the difficult
task of monitoring malleefowl and their potential predators may be overcome by the use of camera traps. Camera
traps were set at 15 mounds across the Goonoo forest in central New South Wales during late winter. Of the mounds
surveyed, malleefowl were recorded at three and foxes at eight, including two of three mounds where malleefowl
were present. Several other species were also recorded however there was no significant association between their
presence and that of foxes. To assess camera efficiency among camera types, three different camera trap systems were
subsequently deployed at each of the three ‘active’ malleefowl mounds. The mean number of visits detected by each
of the camera systems was not significantly different as assessed by repeated-measures analysis of variance however
the mean visits differed between days. No further fox presence was detected; however lace monitor (Varanus varius)
activity was substantial, signifying a key shift in predator dynamics. Although there are a range of practical limitations
associated with the use of camera traps, the technique facilitates the collection of important data, which may assist
the malleefowl recovery process.
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FeralScan pest animal mapping website – A resource for communities,
landholders, and local government – www.feralscan.org.au
Peter West, Jessica Marsh and Chris Lane
NSW Primary Industries and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
Email: [email protected]
The FeralScan collaborative project builds on the popular RabbitScan citizen science project coordinated in 2009, and
provides a community space for recording data on nationally significant pest animals across Australia. Citizen science
projects are becoming more popular and offer a unique opportunity to better engage with key audiences, deliver
educational material and tools direct to land managers, and gather vital data to support better research, management
and investment.
Participating in FeralScan is easy. Community groups, land managers and landholders are encouraged to record
sightings, damage data and control activities in their local area onto the FeralScan website (www.feralscan.org.au).
FeralScan uses a Google mapping application to provide a user-friendly mapping system. Recorded data can then be
used to help design and implement local scale control programs, and offers both a regional and national perspective
on pest animal problems.
The FeralScan project currently hosts websites for mapping rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral
camels (Camelus dromedarius), feral pigs (Sus scrofa), cane toads (Rhinella [Bufo] marinus) and common mynas (also
called Indian mynas, Acridotheres tristis). The next species will include feral goats (Capra hircus), pest fish, wild dogs and
feral deer. Each species website contains information on the species, control techniques, a photo gallery, links to other
pest animal websites (such as www.feral.org.au), and new resources (such as PestSmart from the Invasive Animals CRC).
FeralScan will also soon offer a facility for recording new and emerging species, and emerging pest animal problems.
FeralScan promotes accessibility to real-time data, and builds on previously known information for pest animal
distribution, abundance, damage and control activities by individual/groups. By targeting landholders, community
groups, Landcare groups, NRM regional bodies and local government, FeralScan aims to build community interest and
participation in local pest animal management activities.
FeralScan is primarily funded through the Australian Pest Animal Research Program and Invasive Animals Cooperative
Research Centre. It provides a unique partnership between government, industry, business, landholders and community.
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A
E, F
Ada P .......................................56
Li L ............................................34
Ross K ......................................40
Evans T ....................................24
Lincoln R ................................16
Rudd K ....................................16
Allen B ..............................48, 54
Fleming P ...18, 35, 56, 55, 71
Liu J ..........................................69
Russell T .................................68
Arunachalam D ...................39
Fletcher D ..............................51
Lunney D ........................40, 42
Forge O ...................................15
M
S
Atyeo M ..................................30
Auld T ......................................18
Franklin M .............................22
MacDonald T ........................51
Saunders G .....................26, 69
B
Fulton W .................................31
Madha C .................................60
Scott-Orr H ............................60
Ballard G ...................35, 66, 71
G
Major R ...................................22
Seabrook L ............................42
Banks P ...................................45
Gaffney R ...............................49
Marsh I ....................................61
Sharp T ....................................38
Barnes T ..................................62
Galea F ....................................61
Marsh J ............................72, 74
Short H ...................................16
Baxter G ..................................42
Garner G .................................61
Martin G .................................33
Siko M .....................................60
Belov K ....................................68
Glen A .....................................64
McAlpine C ............................42
Sofo K ......................................32
Bengsen A .............................70
Goldney D .............................13
McGregor R ...........................36
Spencer R ..............................44
Bennett A ..............................57
Gouvernet J ..........................15
McLean K ...............................39
Spindler R ..............................68
Beveridge I ............................59
Gray G .....................................33
McLeod S ...............................38
Stalenberg E .........................40
Bolam A ..................................21
Gunata K ................................60
Meek P ....................................35
Staples L .................................30
Bomford M ............................37
H, I
Melville G ...............................71
Stokes V ..................................36
Merson J .................................18
Strive T ....................................69
Mifsud G ..........................27, 43
T, U
Bradley A ...............................42
Bradstock R ...........................18
Braysher M ............................25
Brown A .................................73
Burns G ...................................39
Byrom A .................................64
C
Hall G .......................................34
Hall K .......................................31
Handasyde K ........................53
Hansen N ...............................45
Henderson W .......................37
Hernandez-Matias A ..........52
Holcombe P ..........................20
Mooney N ..............................55
Morris C ..................................22
Mulley R .................................18
Murray A ................................65
Murray P .................................34
Campbell S ............................33
Hone J .....................................63
N, O
Cassey P .................................37
Hughes C ...............................49
Nany S .....................................60
Chapman R ...........................47
Hughes N ...............................45
Negus K ..................................61
J, K
Nugent G ...............................67
Chapple R ..............................18
Cooke B ..................................29
Coulson G .......................32, 57
Cowled B ................................61
Cox T .................................34, 69
Craig M ...................................36
Crowther M ...........................40
D
Dall D ......................................50
Daoud-Opit S .......................46
Dee F .......................................16
Dickman C ......................49, 55
Doak S .....................................35
Dundas S ................................56
Sarre S .....................................61
Tabart OAM D ...............17, 43
Thomas C ...............................15
Tribe A ....................................34
Ujvari B ...................................68
V, W, X, Y, Z
Varvaro K ...............................39
Vizard A ..................................59
Warburton B .........................67
Ward M ...................................61
Jenkins D ...............................62
P, Q
Jones D ..............39, 41, 46, 47
Parr R .......................................33
Whitehead B .........................35
Kasbarian A ...........................14
Paterson I ...............................23
Whiteley P .............................59
Kennedy M ............................33
Payne N ..................................71
Wilke C ....................................35
Kerle A ....................................19
Pech R .....................................64
Woods R .................................58
Kingsford R ............................18
Post L .......................................58
Woolnough A ................33, 61
L
Pradhan U ..............................71
Laffan S ...................................61
West P ..............................71, 74
Putra A ....................................60
Lamb M ..................................35
R
Lane A .....................................68
Ramp D ..................................18
Lane C .....................................74
Ramsay G ...............................14
Lapidge S ...............................28
Real J .......................................52
Latham D ...............................67
Reed R .....................................53
Lazenby B ..............................55
Rhodes J .................................42
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