Download Arid Recovery Annual Report 2004

Arid Recovery
2004 Annual Report
This document is the 7th in a series of annual reports and outlines the
activities of Arid Recovery for the period from January to December
2004.
Arid Recovery is a partnership between WMC Resources, University of
Adelaide, SA Department for Environment and Heritage and the
Friends of Arid Recovery which commenced in 1997.
Copies of this report or further information may be obtained by
contacting us or visiting our website.
Arid Recovery
PO Box 150 Roxby Downs
South Australia, 5725
Phone: 08-8671 8282 Fax: 08-8671 9151
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aridrecovery.org.au
Cover page photos: top row: Digging trenches for annual trapping – Photo: Yvette Mooney; second row L-R: Greater Bilby – Photo: Yvette
Mooney; Poached Egg Daisy Close-up – Photo: Yvette Mooney; third row L-R: Poached Egg Daisies – Photo: Reece Pedler; Emmy Gerlach
checking traps – Photo courtesy of The Monitor Newspaper; fourth row L-R: Brown Falcon – Photo: Jenny Stott; Baby Stick-nest Rat – Photo: Jenny
Stott; fifth row L-R: Sturt Desert Pea – Photo: Jenny Stott; Gecko in hand – Photo: Andrew Breed
Contents
Objectives ........................................................................ 1
Conference Presentations During 2004 ................... 27
Major Achievements in 2004 ........................................ 4
Research Project Summaries ..................................... 28
The Arid Recovery Team .............................................. 5
Research Planned for 2005. ....................................... 36
The Arid Recovery Reserve .......................................... 6
Biological Monitoring ................................................. 37
Feral Animal Control ..................................................... 8
Birds ............................................................................. 39
Rabbits ........................................................................... 8
Small Vertebrate Monitoring .................................... 40
Cats and Foxes ............................................................ 10
Ecosystem Health: Landscape Function Analysis... 42
Vegetation Recovery .................................................... 12
Publicity, Education and Awareness ........................ 44
Permanent Vegetation Sites ...................................... 12
Volunteers and Community Involvement ............... 50
Seedling Recruitment Sites ....................................... 13
Look and Learn Visits ................................................ 50
Re-establishment of Native fauna ............................. 15
University of Adelaide .............................................. 51
Track Transects ........................................................... 17
Earthwatch .................................................................. 51
Annual Cage Trapping .............................................. 18
International Student Volunteers ............................. 51
Spotlighting ................................................................ 19
Friends of Arid Recovery .......................................... 52
Greater Stick-nest Rat ................................................ 20
Awards ........................................................................ 53
Burrowing Bettong ..................................................... 22
2004 Budget.................................................................... 54
Greater Bilby ............................................................... 23
Proposed 2005 Budget .................................................. 54
Western Barred Bandicoot ........................................ 24
Long Term Objectives and 2005 Workplan ............. 59
Research ......................................................................... 26
Appendix A: 2005 Workplan ...................................... 62
Current Research ........................................................ 26
Appendix B: Tables ...................................................... 65
Previously Published Research ................................ 27
Appendix C: Figures .................................................... 66
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Mission Statement
To facilitate restoration of arid zone ecosystems
through on ground works, applied research and
industry/community partnerships
Objectives
To facilitate ecological restoration of arid ecosystems through:
 removal and exclusion of feral animals;
 recovery of existing native vegetation and landscape function;
 re-establishment of endemic species, particularly threatened species;
 monitoring and research of the processes of ecological restoration;
 establishment of a source of acclimatised animals for other arid zone re-introduction sites; and
 adaptive management based on monitoring outcomes.
To provide transferable knowledge, information and technology for broadscale environmental management
of Australia’s arid lands including:
 arid zone recovery trends and techniques;
 re-introduction and rehabilitation protocols;
 cost-effective large-scale feral animal control;
 identification of ecosystem services provided by reintroduced species; and
 encouragement and training of arid zone restoration ecologists.
Apply the principles developed to demonstrate how mining, pastoralism, tourism and conservation
organisations can work together to achieve tangible benefits from sustainable ecological outcomes through;
 increasing community and industry awareness of arid zone conservation issues;
 developing the profile of Arid Recovery as a demonstration of the value of these partnerships;
 developing and maintaining networks between stakeholders from all groups;
 facilitating the understanding and adoption of techniques developed by Arid Recovery; and
 capacity building of natural resources managers and industry support workers to apply principles and
techniques developed by Arid Recovery across the rangelands.
The project depends heavily on volunteer labour and is assisted by the local community, conservation
organisations, students and indigenous groups.
The Arid Recovery Steering Committee oversees the running of the project with a member of each founding
organisation represented. A memorandum of understanding outlining the contributions from each partner for the
next ten years was developed and signed by the partners in 2001.
Arid Recovery was planned in stages to allow monitoring of project progress. A review of the project was
conducted in 2003, as many of the original project actions were completed Project actions for the next five years
were developed and their progress is outlined in Table 1 (next page).
Image: Poached Egg Daisies in bloom in the Reserve – Photo: Brydie Hill
Page 1
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 1. Arid Recovery project actions and their progress. Phase 1 is pre 2003 and Phase 2 is post 2003.
Phase
Details
Start date
End date
Results so far
Development of a 60km2 Reserve
1
Construction of a 14km²
exclosure
Aug 1997
Jan 1998
Exclosure constructed by contractors
and volunteers
1
Removal of rabbits from 14km²
exclosure
Oct 1998
Jan 1999
All rabbits removed from exclosure after
over 8000 hours of volunteer effort
1
Electrification of the fence and
removal of cats and foxes from
main exclosure
Jan 1999
Mar 1999
Audio lures used to eradicate the last
cat. No breach of fence to date.
1
Increase the size of the Reserve
to 60km²
May 1999
Dec 2000
First(8km²), second (8 km²) and
northern (30km²) expansion areas
fenced.
1
Remove all rabbits, cats and
foxes from the expansion areas of
the 60km² Reserve
May 1999
Dec 2001
All cats and foxes were eradicated from
the Reserve by April 2001.
Establish and conduct effective monitoring of the restoration process
1
Establishment of a plant and
animal monitoring system
Aug 1997
Apr 1998
More than 300 plant and animal sites
established
1
Conduct research on the
restoration of ecological
processes within the Reserve
ongoing
ongoing
More than 22 research projects
currently in progress.
2
Increase monitoring program to
include landscape function
analysis
Aug 2004
ongoing
Preliminary monitoring at standard
monitoring sites conducted in 2004.
2
Establish an invertebrate
monitoring program
Jan 2004
Trial of ant monitoring procedures
conducted in 2004
Restore and maintain ecological processes in the Reserve through the reintroduction of locally
extinct species
1
Re-introduction of between 3
and 5 nationally threatened
species
Apr 1999
Apr 2000
Stick-nest rats in April 1999;bettongs
in October 1999;bilbies in April 2000;
western barred bandicoots in 2001.
2
Feasibility study for
reintroduction of numbats
Nov 2003
Nov 2004
Completed and a trial release is planned
for 2005/6
2
Reintroduction of predators
Apr 2004
1
Maintain rabbit, cat and fox free
exclosure
ongoing
ongoing
1 rabbit found inside Arid Recovery
and captured within 2 days of discovery
in 2004
1
Maintain and manage
reintroduced populations
ongoing
ongoing
Initiation of research into indicators of
carrying capacity and comparison of
monitoring methods.
2
Set interim population limits
Apr 2003
Page 2
Translocation proposal for woma
pythons has been prepared with
Adelaide Zoo and a release is planned
for 2005
Research is currently being conducted
into indicators of carrying capacity
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 1 continued. Arid Recovery project actions and their progress. Phase 1 is pre 2003 and Phase 2 is post 2003.
Phase
Details
Start date
End date
Results so far
Expand the existing Reserve
2
Fence the 26 km2 Red Lake
expansion
Aug 2004
Fence erection began in August 2004 and
is scheduled for completion in 2005. Fence
was rabbit proof by Dec 2004.
2
Remove cats and foxes in Red
Lake expansion
Dec 2003
Cats and foxes are being removed by
shooting and trapping
2
Remove rabbits from Red Lake
expansion
Dec 2003
In 2004 over 750 rabbits were trapped and
several hundred were killed by baiting,
shooting and warren fumigation
Expand the restoration process outside the Reserve
2
Design and test a cheaper cat, fox
and rabbit proof fence
Dec 2003
Nov 2004
Fence design has been tested and finalised
and is being used to fence the Red Lake
expansion.
2
Trial release of bilbies outside
the Reserve
Mar 2004
ongoing
12 bilbies were released in June, 2 are still
being monitored
2
Establishment of a regional
buffer zone
Jan 1999
ongoing
Aerial baiting trials conducted in 2002,
2003 and 2004.
Education and Awareness
1
Increase community awareness
and participation in arid zone
conservation
Jun 1999
ongoing
Viewing hide, new viewing platform, self
guided walkway constructed. Site based
eco-tours began in 2002.
1
Educate and train future arid
zone ecologists
ongoing
ongoing
13 scholarship students, 5 honours
students, 1 PhD student and 11
university groups hosted to date
1
Establish an operational and
liveable field research station for
students, visitors and
collaborative researchers
Jan 2000
Sep 2004
Bathroom 2002, solar power and gas
cooking facilities 2003, decking complete
2004.
1
Communicate results with
stakeholder and professional
groups
ongoing
ongoing
5 scientific papers in peer reviewed
journals, 21 conference presentations, 355
media items to date
1
Increase links with industries
represented by all partners
ongoing
ongoing
Ongoing program of visits by interest
groups from different industries
Page 3
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Major Achievements in 2004
During 2004 many achievements were made at Arid Recovery. The most notable include:
External bilby release
The first trial release of the Greater Bilby, a nationally threatened species, outside the Reserve was conducted this
year. After baiting for feral predators, 12 bilbies of different age classes and sex were released on the other side of
the fence. Seven bilbies succumbed to predation by feral cats. These unfortunate results illustrate the need for the
development of effective broad-scale feral cat control if bilbies are to survive in the region without exclusion
fencing.
Four bilbies were still known to be alive at 100 days post release (2 male, 2 female) with one female having
produced three young. This project is still in progress with the survival of the remaining bilbies being monitored
daily or weekly. Another important outcome will be to assess whether these “naïve” bilbies can learn to adapt to
the threat of predation, a threat they do not face within the Reserve.
Arid Recovery has already established a successful population of bilbies inside the Reserve and compiled a
significant amount of valuable information for the recovery of the species. However, maintaining large fenced
areas indefinitely is not a long term solution to broad-scale ecosystem recovery. Projects such as this trial release
provide information essential for the re-establishment of natural populations of bilbies outside fenced reserves.
Hosting international student volunteers
Three groups of international student volunteers from the United States visited the Arid Recovery Reserve to
complete the conservation component of their college course work in Australia. Students were involved in
installing foot-mesh on the inside the fence, building the expansion, rabbit control work, monitoring populations
of reintroduced species and recording differences in food resources inside and outside the Reserve.
Their involvement in these activities gave the students an understanding of the impact of introduced species on
native wildlife in Australia and the importance of controlling these threatening processes. In addition, look and
learn visits from other industry, community and indigenous groups were also hosted by Arid Recovery this year.
Award winning research
Students and staff conducting research at Arid Recovery have had a very successful year. Five papers were
published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Katherine Moseby was awarded a travel scholarship from the
Foundation for a Rabbit Free Future. Janet Newell won best scientific poster on restoration ecology at the
Ecological Society of Australia’s annual conference.
Alex James, an honours student at Arid Recovery won the University of New South Wales medal for Biological
Sciences, the University's highest possible recognition of an undergraduate student and was runner up for best
scientific poster at the Australian Rangelands Society annual conference in Alice Springs.
Friends of Parks award
Friends of Arid Recovery were presented with a special award for their contribution to feral animal control at the
Friends of Parks forum in Clare this year. Arid Recovery also won a KESAB award for Environmental Education
Action, and were a finalist for the Best Community based Environmental Project or initiative in the United
Nations World Environment Day Awards.
Following our success in the Prime Ministers Awards for Business and Community Partnerships last year, Arid
Recovery Director, David Paton, gave a presentation at this years South Australian awards presentation and a
display was staffed by Friends of Arid Recovery volunteers.
Expansion of the Reserve to 86km2
Fencing of the Red Lake expansion area commenced in 2004. Pen trials of a number of different fence designs
commenced in 2003 and were completed in 2004. Trials were used to observe whether cats or foxes could
penetrate each design and identify weak points.
The final design was a lower replica of the current Reserve fence. The advantages of the chosen design is that it
was cheaper to build than the current Reserve fence and does not form a barrier to movement of kangaroos and
emus. The Red Lake expansion fence was rabbit proof by December 2004.
Page 4
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Project officer Jeff Turpin (centre) processing captured reptiles
during 2004’s annual small vertebrate survey with Dillan
Koerner (left) and Tom McIntosh (right).
Photo: Katherine Moseby
The Arid Recovery Team
The Arid Recovery team is made up of committee members and project officers. Arid Recovery supports two full
time positions consisting of one Project Coordinator and part time Project Officers.
In 2003 a casual position for a scientific advisor was developed. The role of the scientific advisor is to publish
outstanding research and provide support for the project coordinator.
Students from universities around Australia were involved in research projects and other Arid Recovery activities
in 2004.
Staff
 Brydie Hill – Project Coordinator
 Jeff Turpin – Project Officer
 Katherine Moseby – Casual Scientific Advisor
 Jason Briffa – Casual Feral Animal Control Officer
 Nicki Munro – Casual Project Officer
 Marty Kittel – Casual Maintenance Officer
Steering Committee Members in 2004
 Katherine Moseby – Friends of Arid Recovery representative
 Dr John Read – WMC Land Management Department representative
 Steve Green and Chris Schultz – WMC Environment Section representatives
 Dr David Paton – University of Adelaide representative
 Peter Copley and Geoff Axford – Department for Environment and Heritage representatives
Students
 Laura Cunningham – University of Tasmania (Arid Recovery research)
 Cara Reece – University of Melbourne (Arid Recovery research)
 Janet Newell – University of Adelaide (PhD)
 Alex James – University of NSW (Honours)
 Carly Bishop – University of Queensland (WMC 2003/4 summer program)
Page 5
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
The Arid Recovery Reserve
The Arid Recovery Reserve currently comprises 60km² of arid land (Figure 1). Many habitats are present within
the Reserve including chenopod (saltbush/bluebush) inter-dunal swales, sandhill wattle and hop bush dunes,
native pine and mulga sandplains, canegrass swamps, canegrass dunes and claypans.
The Reserve is bordered to the north by the Dog Fence, the east by the Borefield Road and to the south by the
Olympic Dam Special Mine Lease. The northern boundary of the Reserve was re-aligned with assistance from the
Dog Fence Board in 2000. The Reserve is situated partly on the Olympic Dam Mine Lease (7km²) and partly on
adjoining pastoral properties including Roxby Downs Station (49km²) and Stuart Creek Station (2km²) leased by
WMC Resources, and privately leased Mulgaria Station (1km²) and Billa Kalina Station (1km²). The Reserve lies
within the boundaries of three soil conservation board districts namely Kingoonya, Marla-Oodnadatta and
Marree.
In order to facilitate manageable and effective rabbit control, the Reserve was incrementally fenced in sections
until the whole 60km² was finally enclosed in December 2000. The area is divided into a 14km² electrified main
exclosure where endangered species are first re-introduced, two 8km² expansion areas adjoining the main
exclosure and a northern 30km² expansion area. The gate between the first and northern expansions was opened
in 2004 giving animals in these exclosures access to 38 km² (Figure 1). The 8km2 second expansion has been
retained as a control site, from both rabbits, cat, foxes and re-introduced species.
With the exception of a few short term incursions by single rabbits, the entire 60km² Reserve has been free of all
rabbits, cats and foxes since December 2002.
A 26km² expansion to the north of the Reserve was initiated in 2003 (Figure 1). The Red Lake expansion is being
fenced with a rabbit, cat and fox proof fence and all rabbits, cats and foxes are currently being removed. The
expansion is being fenced using a cheaper fence design that still excludes rabbits cats and foxes. Fence pen trials
indicated that a 1.15m high fence with floppy top, similar to the current fence but shorter, was largely effective
against cats and foxes. A cheaper netting imported from Asia was originally going to be used to further reduce
cost but after a long period of delay for importation, the cheaper mesh turned out to be of very poor quality. The
fence then had to be reinforced with 30mm BHP wire mesh, which considerably added to the expense and the
amount of time taken to erect the fence.
The Red Lake expansion incorporates land from Red Lake Paddock on Stuart Creek Station (approx 22km²) and
Billa Kalina Station (approx 4 km²). The expansion is being developed to provide an additional area of land
rehabilitated from the effects of cattle, rabbits, cats and foxes as a precautionary measure against potential future
impacts of mining activities on the southern boundary of the Reserve. The Red Lake expansion will also reduce
population pressure within the current Reserve and provide unique opportunities for further research into rabbit
control methods, predator prey-interactions and dispersal mechanisms from the current Reserve, such as a one
way gate system.
Image courtesy of WMC Resources
Page 6
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Red Lake Expansion
Northern Expansion
Internal Gate
Second Expansion
First Expansion
Main Exclosure
Original Fence
Red Lake Fence
Dog Fence
Old Dog Fence
Figure 1. The 60 km2 Arid Recovery Reserve showing the original exclosure and all expansion stages. All land between the
old Dog Fence and the mine lease fence is situated on Roxby Downs Station leased by WMC Resources. The old Dog Fence
(red line) has been realigned along the northern boundary of the project. The light blue line represents the boundary of the
26km2 Red Lake expansion to be completed in 2005.
Page 7
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Rabbit control in the Red Lake expansion has allowed the collection
of data on the demographics of the local rabbit population.
Photo: Reece Pedler
Feral Animal Control
Rabbits
Rabbits were completely eradicated from the 60 km2 Reserve in late 2001. One rabbit gained entry to the northern
expansion in December 2004, presumably by entering though a hole dug under the fence from the inside by a
bilby. The rabbit was captured and killed within two days of discovery.
In 2004, foot netting was attached to the inside of 10km of the Reserve fenceline, in areas of high bilby activity to
reduce fence breaches. The foot mesh was successful at stopping digging under the fence where it was installed.
However, bilbies have since dug under the fence at a number of other areas. The remainder of the external fence
will have internal foot mesh installed in 2005.
Spotlight transects indicate that rabbit densities outside the Reserve increase periodically and in January 2004
they increased up to the lower densities recorded pre-Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) (WMC Environment data
2004; Figure 2 and Figure 3). However, in April rabbit densities declined due to extended dry conditions followed
by a suspected RCD outbreak in June. Rabbit densities began to increase again in the second half of 2004 in
response to good winter rain.
Spotlight counts underestimate true rabbit density and should be used as an indication of temporal trends only.
Rabbit control in the Red Lake expansion began in 2003 and was conducted intensively from December 2003 and
throughout all of 2004. 760 rabbits have been trapped and over 250 shot within the Red Lake expansion, including
190 shot by professional shooters volunteering their time for 3 nights in January 2005. Two runs of poison oats
have been laid with an estimated kill rate of 60-80%.
RCD is thought to have reduced rabbit numbers in the Red Lake expansion during winter just before breeding
was recorded. However, rabbits then bred continuously from July 2004 until February 2005, in response to good
environmental conditions and this hampered eradication efforts. Delays in the erection of rabbit proof fencing
also effected the eradication of rabbits from the expansion. Rabbit control work is continuing and we hope to
have the area rabbit free by the end of 2005.
Data collected during rabbit control work in the Red Lake expansion is being complied for two scientific
publications, one on the effect of RCD on rabbit populations and demography, the other on the most efficient
methods of removing rabbits and their effects on non-target species.
Page 8
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
700
# rabbits per sqkm
600
500
400
300
200
100
Apr-04
Apr-03
Apr-02
Apr-01
Apr-00
Apr-99
Apr-98
Apr-97
Apr-96
Apr-95
Apr-94
Apr-93
Apr-92
Apr-91
Apr-90
Apr-89
0
Figure 2. Rabbit density (no per km2) at Roxby Downs showing decline after the arrival of RCD in 1996. Data courtesy of
WMC Environment Section, long term monitoring data from quarterly counts.
80
#rabbits per sqkm
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Oct-04
Oct-03
Oct-02
Oct-01
Oct-00
Oct-99
Oct-98
Oct-97
Oct-96
Oct-95
0
Figure 3. Rabbit density (no per km2) spotlight counts conducted by WMC staff since the arrival of RCD in 1996. Shown at
a lower scale than Figure 2 to illustrate post RCD changes in rabbit density. Data courtesy of WMC Environment Section,
long term monitoring data from quarterly counts.
Page 9
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Cats and Foxes
Cats and foxes were completely eradicated from the main 14km 2 exclosure in 1998 and the entire Reserve in early
2001. No cats or foxes have since gained access to the Reserve. Twelve permanent traps, with audio lures and soft
leg-hold traps are set immediately outside the 34km Reserve fence. These traps are checked daily using remote
telemetry tracking.
During 2004, 56 foxes and 23 cats were captured using this method compared to 10 foxes and 32 cats in 2003
(Table 2; trap nights 4208, overall trap success 1.9%). A further 19 cats and one fox were shot in the vicinity of the
Reserve in 2004 increasing the total number of cats and foxes trapped or shot from around the Reserve to 98 in
2004 compared to 35 in 2003. The number of foxes trapped increased in March, April and May in 2004 (Figure 4)
after a period of no fox captures from August to December in 2003.
Table 2. Number of cats, foxes and rabbits caught in traps set around the Arid Recovery Reserve in each year and trap
success rate for each species.
2001
2002
2003
2004
(3012 trap nights)
(3012 trap nights)
(4629 trap nights)
(4208 trap nights)
#
% trap
success
#
% trap
success
#
% trap
success
#
% trap
success
Cat
19
0.6
16
0.5
32
0.7
23
0.5
Fox
25
0.8
22
0.7
10
0.2
56
1.3
0.04
cats
foxes
0.035
trap success
0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sept
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
0
Figure 4. Trap success for each month of 2004 in cat and fox traps around the Arid Recovery Reserve. There are 12 traps set
permanently around the Reserve.
Aerial Baiting Trials
Aerial baiting for foxes was conducted in 2004 in conjunction with the Department for Environment and Heritage
(DEH). This has formed part of a series of 1080 baiting trials working towards the development of a cost effective
large scale system for control of cats and foxes. The 2002 and 2003 trials were conducted under an experimental
license held by the Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), using
specially designed cat baits.
The 2002 study baited an area of 600 km2, within a 10km radius buffer zone around the Reserve. Changes in cat
activity before and after baiting were monitored within the baited zone and in control areas through track counts,
conducted monthly for 6 months before and after baiting. The baiting was successful and no cat activity was
detected within the buffer zone for three months after the baiting.
Page 10
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
In 2003, the baited area was increased to 1800 km², within a 20km radius of the Reserve to establish whether the
time taken for reinvasion would increase. In 2002, dried kangaroo fox baits were shallowly buried within the
baited area three weeks prior to the baiting, to reduce the non-target uptake of cat baits by foxes. The fox baiting
was not conducted in 2003 as cats were found to take these baits in 2002. This also allowed us to determine
whether cat baiting had any effect on fox activity in the buffer zone. Track transects indicated no change in cat
activity inside the baited zone. However, fox activity declined after baiting.
Baiting
7
baited
control
6
5
4
(4)
3
2
(4)
1
Oct-04
Sep-04
Aug-04
Jul-04
Jun-04
May-04
Apr-04
Mar-04
0
Feb-04
mean # cat track presence recorded per site
In May 2004 dried kangaroo meat fox baits were aerially distributed over 1800 km² (within a 20km radius of the
Reserve, the same area as 2003) at a density of 5 baits per km 2. Track transects showed a similar response to that
of 2003 with no significant change in cat activity in the baited areas after baiting (Figure 5) and a decline in fox
activity after baiting (Figure 6). However, this effect was less pronounced in 2004 when a lower density of baits
were used. Further trials are proposed for 2005, increasing the density of baits and the frequency of baiting.
10
Baiting
baited
control
9
8
(4)
7
6
(4)
5
4
3
(4)
2
1
Oct-04
Sep-04
Aug-04
Jul-04
Jun-04
May-04
Apr-04
Mar-04
0
Feb-04
mean # fox track presence recorded per site
Figure 5. The average number of 200m long segments containing cat tracks for 5 control and 5 baited transects (unless
otherwise specified by number in brackets). Bars denote one standard error.
Figure 6. The average number of 200m long segments containing fox tracks for 5 control and 5 baited transects (unless
otherwise specified by number in brackets). Bars denote one standard error.
Page 11
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Left: Native stock
Right: Fleshy groundsel
Photos: Yvette Mooney
Vegetation Recovery
One hundred and ninety-three millimetres of rainfall was recorded in 2004, slightly over the annual average
(Figure 7). Very little rain fell in the first four months of the year (8mm) creating a relatively dry environment
after a hot summer. However, the large volume of rain that fell in May and June (82mm) resulted in an amazing
burst of winter flowering not seen in the region for 10 years (J Read pers comm.). Due to the unusually early
flowering of some species they were recorded for the first time in our annual vegetation monitoring.
300
rainfall (mm)
250
200
150
100
50
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Figure 7. Annual rainfall recorded in the Roxby Downs region. Rainfall was recorded at the Olympic Dam Mine situated
5km from the Reserve in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and from a rain gauge established at the Reserve from 2000 onwards. Average
annual rainfall is 160mm and is represented by a dotted line.
Permanent Vegetation Sites
Twenty-four vegetation monitoring sites, 12 inside and 12 outside the Reserve, were established by Arid
Recovery and DEH staff in 1997. Jessup transect, step point, photopoint and species presence data were recorded.
Due to the considerable expansion of the Reserve, some of the original outside sites, situated in rabbit and stock
areas, were incorporated within the Reserve. To overcome this, 5 replacement sites were established outside the
Reserve in 2000. A further 5 sites were also placed within the second expansion in 2002 to act as control sites
where no rabbits, stock or re-introduced species are present. Thus, at present there are 12 sites located within the
main exclosure, 11 outside the Reserve and 7 within the second expansion. These sites are monitored annually to
allow comparisons of vegetation change inside and outside the Reserve.
The vegetation monitoring data up to 2003 was incorporated into an Arid Recovery database in 2004. Detailed
analysis of the data will be undertaken in 2005. Preliminary investigation of the data showed a large difference
between the number of Kerosene Grass Aristida holathera plants inside the Reserve compared to outside the
Reserve in 2002. 2002 was a very dry year (Figure 7) and Jessup transects at sites within the Reserve recorded
three times as many Kerosene Grass plants as outside the Reserve. These grasses provide both food and cover for
native
species
which
may
be
particularly
important
during
extended
dry
periods.
Page 12
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
160
inside
outside
No. plants per site
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1997
2001
2002
2003
Figure 8. Number of Kerosene Grass plants recorded along Jessup transects inside and outside the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Seedling Recruitment Sites
Funding was obtained from the Native Vegetation Fund (DEH) to determine the abundance and growth rate of
selected plant seedlings at sites under four grazing treatments. Grazing treatments include the following:
 rabbit grazing only – on the mine lease
 cattle and rabbit grazing – on surrounding pastoral properties
 grazing by re-introduced mammal species - inside the main exclosure of the Reserve
 no grazing by rabbits, cattle or re-introduced species (control) – inside the second expansion of the Reserve
Plant species sampled were mulga Acacia aneura, native plum Santalum lanceolatum, native apricot Pittosporum
phylliraeoides, silver cassia Senna artemisioides, umbrella wattle, Acacia ligulata and narrow-leaved hopbush
Dodonaea viscosa. These species were those known or thought to be preferred by rabbits, stock or re-introduced
species.
Ten sites were chosen for each species in each grazing treatment. At each site the number of seedlings were
recorded within a set search radius of the adult tree. At each site a selected number of individual seedlings were
measured to determine growth rates. The project was initiated in 2000 and in 2004, growth measurements were
taken for sandhill wattle and native plum.
Statistical analyses were carried out on previous years’ data in 2004. Mulga recruitment appeared to be
substantially inhibited by rabbit and cattle grazing. There were significantly more sites with young mulga plants
(less than 50cm height) at sites inside the Arid Recovery Reserve than outside the Reserve where there is cattle
and rabbit grazing. There was also a significant increase in the number of sites with young mulga plants present
in both areas inside the Reserve between visits, whereas outside the Reserve the number of sites with young
mulgas declined (Figure 9). Similarly, silver cassia recruitment also appeared to be substantially inhibited by
cattle, and in particular, rabbit grazing. The number of sites with young silver cassia plants was significantly
higher inside the Reserve than outside, and the number of sites with young plants increased significantly inside
the Reserve between visits, but not outside.
Native apricot and plum did not differ substantially in the number of small plants per site between the grazing
treatments. Numbers of native apricot increased at all sites between surveys. Although not significant, the
number of small sandhill wattles per site was higher for the re-introduced species treatment, and increased
between surveys, but remained low where there were cattle and rabbits. Narrow-leafed hopbush showed no
differences in numbers of seedlings between grazing treatments, but there were very significant changes between
surveys (2000 and 2003). The number of small narrow-leaved hopbush plants per site increased significantly
under three of the four grazing treatments, but declined where there were rabbits only. Bullock bush was
surveyed only once and there was no significant difference in the number of small plants per site for each grazing
treatment.
Page 13
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Mulga Seedling
Photo: Arid Recovery
These results indicate that excluding rabbits and stock benefit the germination and survival of mulga, sandhill
wattle and silver cassia. Whilst no discernable change in the number of seedlings or sub adult plants was detected
in bullock bush, narrow-leafed hop-bush, native plum or native apricots between the grazing treatments and
controls, these species may show a change in the future when rabbits and stock are excluded for a longer period.
To date, re-introduced native herbivores have not been found to have a negative impact on the recruitment of the
seven perennial plant species but future increases in density of re-introduced species may lead to detectable
changes.
Pr of >1 Seedling per site
0.8
reintroduced
rabbits
rabbits and cattle
control
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
2000
2003
Figure 9 The number of sites with mulga seedlings in 2000 and 2003 for each treatment. Control sites are inside the second
expansion of the Reserve where there are no cattle, rabbits or reintroduced species. Number of sites is expressed as a
probability of more than one seedling per site.
Page 14
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Spinifex hopping mouse
Photo: Yvette Mooney
Re-establishment of Native fauna
At least 27 species of native mammal once inhabited the Roxby Downs region but over 60% have become locally
or completely extinct since European settlement. Some bird species have also declined and many plant species are
now rare in the vicinity of the Reserve. Arid Recovery aims to restore as much of the original fauna and flora as
possible to the Reserve, through natural re-establishment and planned re-introductions.
Re-introductions are research-based to obtain information on how the animals survive in the arid zone, the best
methods for reintroduction and whether long term re-establishment is possible. Some species such as the Spinifex
Hopping-mouse have re-established naturally in the Reserve.
A sub-fossil deposit found 30km from Roxby Downs was used to determine which mammal species formerly
occurred in the region (see below). Globally extinct species are in italics, species that have already been reintroduced are in bold and species that could potentially be re-introduced are underlined.
 Pig-footed Bandicoot
 Lesser Stick-nest Rat
 Short-tailed Hopping Mouse
 Long-tailed Hopping Mouse
 Goulds Mouse
 Greater Stick-nest Rat
 Burrowing Bettong
 Greater Bilby
 Western Barred Bandicoot
 Golden Bandicoot
 Kultarr
 Ampurta
 Common Brush-tailed Possum
 Long-haired Rat
Rare bird species such as the bush thick-knee and plains wanderer have also been recorded from the Roxby
Downs region in the past and could potentially be re-introduced into the Reserve. Woma pythons and numbats
also formerly inhabited the region and plans are in place to conduct trial releases of these species in 2005.Four
threatened mammal species have been re-introduced to the Reserve to date. Re-introductions began in 1998 with
the Greater Stick-nest Rat followed by the Burrowing Bettong in 1999, Greater Bilby in 2000 and the Western
Barred Bandicoot in 2001. All re-introductions were initially into the main 14km² exclosure.
Page 15
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
A bilby is released into the Reserve
Photo: Yvette Mooney
During 2001, some bilbies, bettongs and stick-nest rats were translocated from the main exclosure into the first
expansion area. During 2002, bilbies and bettongs were also transferred from the main exclosure to the northern
expansion area. In 2003, captive-bred bilbies and stick-nest rats were reintroduced into the northern expansion,
wild-born bilbies and stick-nest rats were transferred from the main exclosure into the northern expansion and a
small number of bilbies were also transferred from the main exclosure to the first expansion.
Bilbies started digging under the internal fence between the first expansion and the northern expansion, in April
2003. To reduce population pressure in the small first expansion the gate between the two exclosures was opened
in June 2003 to allow movement of animals between these two areas. In early 2004, a small number of animals
were found dead on the surface and bilbies stopped breeding. These events were believed to be in response to a
lack of summer rainfall resulting in very dry conditions after a hot summer. A release of 12 bilbies outside of the
Reserve was conducted in June 2004. A summary of releases, movements and population estimates is presented
in Table 3.
Table 3. Population estimates as of Dec 2004 and transfers to date within the Reserve.
Species
Burrowing Bettong
Greater Bilby
Main Exclosure
(14km2)
First Expansion
Second Expansion
Northern Expansion
(8 km2)
(8 km2)
(30 km2)
150-200
(30 released)
50
(8 trans. 2001)
150
(9 released)
20-30
(2 released
13 trans. 2002
2 trans. 2003)
-
-
100
(27 trans. 2002
2 trans 2003)
150
(3 released and 3
trans. 2002;
8 released
4 trans. 2003;
15 released 2004)
Greater Stick-nest
Rat
150
(100 released)
30
(15 trans. 2001)
-
50
(12 released
7 trans. 2003)
Western Barred
Bandicoot
30-40
(10 released)
-
-
-
Monitoring methods for re-introduced species included track and spotlighting transects, a cage trapping transect,
radio-tracking of animals transferred between exclosures, remote scanning plates, spotlight assisted catching and
opportunistic trapping.
Page 16
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Track Transects
Track transects were conducted quarterly, or when conditions permitted (for walking transects a windy night
followed by a still night is required) in 2004. The location of transects can be seen in Figure 1. Figures Figure 10Figure 12 show the results for track transects for 2004. Track activity in the first expansion was not monitored
during 2004 but was monitored in January 2005 and these results are presented here. Results are discussed
specifically for each reintroduced species below.
bilbies removed
bilbies and bettongs
removed
50
SNR
BB
GB
tracks per km
40
WBB
30
20
10
Sep-04
May-04
Jan-04
Sep-03
May-03
Jan-03
Sep-02
May-02
Jan-02
Sep-01
May-01
Jan-01
Sep-00
May-00
0
Figure 10. Number of tracks per kilometre of the four re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is burrowing bettong,
GB is greater bilby and WBB is western barred bandicoot) within the 14km2 main exclosure of the Reserve. Total distance of
walking transect is approximately 10km.
25
SNR
BB
GB
gate opened
tracks per km
20
15
10
5
Jan-05
Oct-04
Jul-04
Apr-04
Jan-04
Oct-03
Jul-03
Apr-03
Jan-03
Oct-02
Jul-02
Apr-02
0
Figure 11. Number of tracks per kilometre of re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is burrowing bettong and GB
is greater bilby) within the 8km2 first expansion. Total distance of walking transect is approximately 5.5km. The gate between
the first and northern expansion was opened in July 2003 to allow animals to naturally disperse into the northern expansion.
Page 17
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
bilbies released
40
SNR
BB
GB
tracks per km
30
rats released
bilbies
released
20
10
Dec-04
Sep-04
Jun-04
Mar-04
Dec-03
Sep-03
Jun-03
Mar-03
0
Figure 12. Number of tracks per kilometre of the four re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is burrowing bettong
and GB is greater bilby) within the 30km2 northern expansion. Total distance of transects driven by quad bike is
approximately 16km.
Annual Cage Trapping
Eighty-four permanent trap sites have been established adjacent to roads in the main exclosure and are trapped
every September for one night each over a three night period (total number of trap nights is 84: Table 4). Trap
success refers to individuals only, re-captures within a session are excluded. In 2003, 29 trapping sites were
established in the first expansion, these sites are trapped annually in September for one night (Table 5). Results
are discussed specifically for each reintroduced species below.
Table 4. Trap success of re-introduced species in the main exclosure during annual cage trapping (n=84).
Species
2001 trap
success
2002 trap
success
2003 trap
success
2004 trap
success
Burrowing Bettong
26%
24%
42.8%
40.5%
Greater Bilby
0%
2.4%
0%
1.2%
2.4%
2.4%
4.8%
0%
0%
1.2%
0%
0%
28.6%
30.1%
47.6%
41.7%
Greater Stick-nest Rat
Western Barred Bandicoot
Total trap success
Table 5. Trap success of re-introduced species in the first expansion during annual cage trapping (n=29).
Species
2003 trap success
2004 trap success
Burrowing Bettong
20.7%
34.5%
Greater Bilby
3.5%
0%
0%
0%
24.2%
34.5%
Greater Stick-nest Rat
Total trap success
Page 18
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Spotlighting
Spotlighting transects were conducted quarterly throughout 2004 in the main exclosure and twice in the northern
expansion. Results are shown in Figures Figure 13 and Figure 14 and are discussed separately for each
reintroduced species below.
0.9
bettong
bilby
stick-nest rat
0.8
# animals per km
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Oct-04
Aug-04
Jun-04
Apr-04
Feb-04
Dec-03
Oct-03
Aug-03
Jun-03
Apr-03
0
Figure 13. Number of reintroduced species seen per km spotlighting within the 14km2 main exclosure. Total distance of the
driven transect is 26km.
0.6
bettong
bilby
stick-nest rat
# animals per km
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Sep-04
Aug-04
Jul-04
Jun-04
May-04
Apr-04
Mar-04
Feb-04
Jan-04
Dec-03
Nov-03
Oct-03
Sep-03
0
Figure 14. Number of reintroduced species seen per km spotlighting within the 30km 2 northern expansion. Total distance of
the driven transect is 16.5km.
Page 19
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Greater Stick-nest Rat
Photo: Hafiz Stewart
Greater Stick-nest Rat
The Greater Stick-nest Rat Leporillus conditor is a native rodent that was once widespread in arid and semi-arid
areas. After European settlement stick-nest rats became extinct on the mainland and survived naturally on only
two off-shore islands in SA.
DEH conducted a re-introduction program for stick-nest rats which successfully re-introduced stick-nest rats to 3
additional off-shore islands near Eyre Peninsula. The Arid Recovery Reserve is currently the most successful
mainland re-introduction site.
One hundred stick-nest rats were released into the main exclosure in April and June 1999 (Table 6). Stick-nest rats
are monitored through trapping at nest sites, opportunistic trapping and track transects. Since they were released
114 Roxby-born stick-nest rats have been recorded in the Reserve. Twelve individual stick-nest rats were captured
in 2004 during trapping at 20 permanent nest trapping sites in the main exclosure. This number is much lower
than that of 2003 (39), and is not believed to be a true indication of the number of stick-nest rats within the main
exclosure due to trap interference by bettongs. Trapping is undertaken in April and September. During the April
2004 monitoring session there was extensive interference with the traps by bettongs and only one stick-nest rat
was trapped, despite evidence (both vocal and faecal) to support stick-nest rat activity in 95% of the nests
monitored (Figure 15). The dry summer preceding the April trapping meant there was little food available for
bettongs resulting in their persistent attempts to remove bait from traps set for stick-nest rats. The September
trapping session incorporated a number of devices to exclude bettongs and resulted in a slightly better trap
success rate. However, the number of stick-nest rats trapped was not consistent with the number of active nests
(Figure 15) and is likely to be an under representation of the actual population size. We are currently designing
different bettong exclusion devices to be tested in 2005 that should effectively keep out all adult bettongs.
Track counts indicated a decline in the track activity of stick-nest rats in the main exclosure during summer
2003/4 followed by a steady increase throughout 2004 (Figure 10). The seven adult female rats captured during
the September trapping all showed signs of breeding, supporting an increase in stick-nest rat numbers inside the
main exclosure. An increase in stick-nest rat activity was also seen in the first expansion, with the number of
tracks per kilometre the highest recorded since they peaked in September 2002 (Figure 11).
Track transects in the northern expansion area showed no stick-nest rat activity during 2004. However, this is
more likely to be due to the track transects being in inappropriate habitat rather than no rats being present. Sticknest rats prefer the chenopod shrubland habitat present in the swale areas whereas the track transects run across
a series of interconnected dunes (Figure 1). Stick-nest rat tracks have been seen in the northern expansion areas
away from the transects. The northern expansion has large swale areas with more appropriate rat habitat,
searches of these areas for nests may provide more information about the distribution of stick-nest rats in the
northern expansion. Stick-nest rats were seen in the northern expansion area during spotlighting counts in swale
and mulga habitats.
Track transects and radio-tracking data indicate that rats undergo a summer die-off each year followed by a
gradual increase in numbers over the winter months after breeding. Breeding activity was evident in the main
exclosure during September in 2004. Captures of 3 juveniles, 3 lactating females (one with young attached to
teats) and 2 females showing signs of pregnancy indicate that the population may have been responding to
winter rainfall after the dry period in early 2004.
Page 20
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 6. Greater Stick-nest Rat releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Year
Exclosure
Total
M
F
Origin
1998
Main
10
5
5
Reevesby Is
1999
Main
84
38
46
Reevesby Is
6
4
2
Monarto
2001
First
19
8
11
Roxby
2003
North
16
10
6
Monarto
7
2
5
Roxby
50
active nests
45
stick-nest rat
captures
40
total number
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Apr-03
Sep-03
Apr-04
Sep-04
Figure 15. Total number of Greater Stick-nest Rat captures and number of nests showing activity (total number of nests is
20) in 2003 and 2004 monitoring.
Page 21
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Burrowing Bettong,
Photo: Seonie Lyon
Burrowing Bettong
Twenty-nine Burrowing Bettongs Bettongia lesueur 19 from Bernier Island in WA and 10 from Herrison Prong in
Western Australia, were released into the main exclosure of the Reserve between October 1999 and September
2000 (Table 7). Bettongs bred continuously after release until October 2002. The very dry conditions recorded in
2002 resulted in a slowing of reproductive activity during the year. Breeding activity resumed in 2003 and
continued throughout 2004 despite dry conditions at the beginning of the year. Eighty female and 140 male
bettong were caught in the Reserve in 2004. Forty-four per cent of adult females captured had pouch young. Eight
bettongs were translocated into the first expansion in late 2001 and a further 27 animals from the main exclosure
were translocated into the northern expansion in October and November 2002 (Table 7). A total of 277 new
Roxby-born bettongs have been captured in the Reserve since first release and the current population estimate
stands at between 300 and 350 individuals (Table 3).
Bettong track activity in the main exclosure increased at the start of 2004 and then remained at 25-30 tracks per
kilometre for the rest of the year (Figure 10). Trap success during annual trapping inside the main exclosure was
similar to that of 2003 (42% in 2003 and 40% in 2004; Table 4) suggesting that the bettong population in the main
exclosure has remained relatively stable throughout the year. Bettong track activity showed an increase in the
first expansion (Figure 11). An increase in trap success for bettongs during annual trapping in the first expansion
was also recorded (Table 5). A slight decline in bettong track activity was recorded in the northern expansion area
of the Reserve (Figure 11). However, this is not of concern as bettongs were the most frequently sighted reintroduced animal during spotlighting in the northern expansion (Figure 14) and increases in bettong track
activity were recorded in the first expansion which is not physically separated from the northern expansion.
Bettongs made up the majority of captures during annual trapping in 2004 (Tables Table 4 and Table 5). Bettongs
are extremely easy to trap. They also frequently travel along the tracks where traps are set which may increase
their likelihood of capture.
Table 7. Burrowing Bettong releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Year
Exclosure
Total
M
F
Origin
1999
Main
10
3
7
Heirrison Prong
2000
Main
19
8
11
Bernier Island
2001
First
8
4
4
Roxby
2002
North
27
14
13
Roxby
2003
North
2
2
-
Roxby
Page 22
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Greater Bilby
Photo: Bree Galbraith
Greater Bilby
Nine (5F, 4M) Greater Bilbies Macrotis lagotis from the Monarto Zoo captive breeding facility were released into
the main exclosure of the Arid Recovery Reserve in April 2000. In 2003, a further 8 (4M, 4F) bilbies from Monarto
were released into the northern expansion and in 2004, 15 (4F 11M) bilbies from Thistle Island (SA) were released
into the northern expansion. The total number of animals released to date is 32 (13F, 19M; Table 8).
Since the initial release, 145 new Roxby-born individuals have been captured (April 2000 - December 2004). With
several research projects focussing on bilbies this year an increased trapping effort was undertaken and 68 new
individuals were caught in 2004. Continual reproduction was recorded between release in April 2000 and
February 2002 and bilby numbers increased considerably during that time. During this period bilbies were
transferred between the main exclosure and adjacent expansion areas of the Reserve (Table 8).
In 2004, 15 bilbies from Thistle Island were released into the northern expansion area. Four males died within two
weeks of the release and two of these had suffered considerable weight loss, but cause of death is currently
unknown. The surviving bilbies were in good condition when checked in December 2004. Twelve bilbies were
also removed from the main exclosure for the first release of bilbies outside the Reserve (see research section for
further details about the external release).
A decline in bilby track activity was recorded in the main exclosure and northern expansion in early 2004 (Figures
Figure 10 and Figure 12). Track activity in the main exclosure continued to decline and fewer bilbies were seen
spotlighting in 2004 compared to 2003 (Figure 13). The dry conditions in early 2004 had considerable impact on
the main exclosure population, 3 carcasses of young animals were found in the main exclosure in April. No bilby
breeding activity was recorded in the Reserve until June 2004 after the winter rainfall. Twenty-four percent of
female bilbies caught in 2004 had pouch young (n=50) compared to 60% in 2003 (n=11). The continued declines in
track activity in the main exclosure after rain in May and June 2004, may have been a response to animals being
removed for the external release and/or a contraction of foraging behaviour because of prevailing good conditions
in response to the rain.
Bilby activity increased considerably in the northern expansion after rain in the second half of 2004. The release of
15 new bilbies into the northern expansion in addition to breeding in response to good winter rain would have
influenced track activity in the area. The dry conditions experienced in the first part of the year may not have
impacted the northern expansion bilbies to the same extent as the main exclosure animals due to the larger size of
the northern expansion (30km2 compared to 14 km2) and the lower density of animals.
Table 8. Greater Bilby releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Year
Exclosure
Total
M
F
Origin
2000
main
9
4
5
Monarto
2001
first
2
1
1
Roxby
2002
north
3
1
2
Roxby
2003
north
8
4
4
Monarto
4
2
2
Roxby
2004
north
15
11
4
Thistle Is
2004
outside
12
6
6
Roxby
Page 23
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Western Barred Bandicoot
Photo: Arid Recovery
Western Barred Bandicoot
Ten Western Barred Bandicoots Perameles bougainville were re-released into the main exclosure of the Reserve in
May 2001 after quarantine at Adelaide Zoo (Table 9). Three bandicoots subsequently died from collar-related
deaths or natural causes and the seven remaining bandicoots utilised the leaf litter of a variety of overstorey
species for their nest sites with favoured species including narrow-leaved hop-bush.
Radio-tracking data collected before the collars were removed indicated that dune habitat was favoured by
bandicoots.
Three additional captive-bred animals from the Monarto Zoo captive breeding facility were released into a
smaller release pen in April 2002. These Monarto captive-bred animals have not been recorded since their release.
One trap death was recorded in mid 2002, and including new animals captured during this time there was a
maximum of 17 bandicoots present in the Reserve at the end of 2002.
A ten week monitoring study conducted in winter 2003 using trapping, tracking and a microchip scanning plate
found that bandicoots were only using the dune habitat in the north western area of the Reserve (Figure 16).
Track transects show a large increase in bandicoot activity in 2004, particularly after the winter rain (Figure 10)
from less than 5 per kilometre to more than 20. Whilst much of the increase in activity was in the north western
dune area tracks were also seen on southern transects in 2004 (Figure 16)
Two trapping sessions of one week each were conducted for bandicoots in July and November 2004. Only one
animal, a new Roxby born male, was trapped. However, the expansion of the distribution of Western Barred
Bandicoot track activity across the northern dunes and onto the southern dunes suggests that the population may
be increasing (Figure 16).
Additional bandicoots were to be sourced from the Dryandra population in WA in 2004. Unfortunately the
symptoms of a potentially lethal wart virus were present in Dryandra bandicoots trapped for relocation and
therefore no new animals were added to the Arid Recovery population. The Arid Recovery bandicoot population
has shown no signs of the wart virus, making it one of only three potentially wart-free populations (the other two
are Dorre Island and Heirrison Prong in WA).
The current population estimate of 30-40 animals is few for such an important population, especially as there
were only seven founders. An intensive monitoring session is planned for March 2005 to establish the numbers of
new individuals in the population, health check all animals and place some into the release pen for
supplementary feeding to encourage breeding. Animals bred in the release pen will be released into other areas of
the Reserve.
Page 24
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 9. Western Barred Bandicoot releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Year
Exclosure
2001
Main
2002
Main
Total
M
F
Origin
8
1
7
Bernier Is
2
1
1
Roxby
3
1
2
Monarto
N
0 0.25
0.5
1
1.5
2
Kilometres
Kilometres
2003
2004
Figure 16. Distribution of Western Barred Bandicoot tracks in the main exclosure of the Arid Recovery Reserve in 2003 and
2004.
Page 25
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Research
Current Research
Two research students completed 12 week scholarship programs at Arid Recovery in 2004. Laura Cunningham
assisted with the release of Greater Bilbies outside the Reserve. Cara Reece continued work on the bilby release
project and also conducted a project using Landscape Function Analysis techniques to monitor ecosystem health
inside and outside the Reserve. Five research papers were published in scientific journals and another was
submitted for publication in 2004. Presentations were also made at several scientific conferences by staff and
students.
Arid Recovery papers published in 2004:
 Bolton, J. and Moseby, K.E. (2004). The activity of Sand Goannas Varanus gouldii and their interaction with
reintroduced Greater Stick-nest Rats Leporillus conditor. Pacific Conservation Biology 10(3) 193-201.
 Finlayson, G.R. and Moseby, K.E. (2004) Managing confined populations: The influence of density on the
home range and habitat use of re-introduced Burrowing Bettongs (Bettongia lesueur). Wildlife Research
31:457-463.
 Moseby K.E. and Bice J. (2004). A trial reintroduction of the Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) in
arid South Australia. Ecological Management and Restoration 5(2):118-124.
 Moseby, K.E., Selfe, R. and Freeman, A. (2004). Attraction of auditory and olfactory lures to Feral Cats, Red
Foxes, European Rabbits and Burrowing Bettongs. Ecological Management and Restoration 5(3) 228-231.
 Read, J.L. (2004). Catastrophic drought-induced die-off of perennial chenopod shrubs in arid Australia
following intensive cattle browsing. J. Arid Environs 58: 535-544.
Arid Recovery research submitted for publication in 2004
 Moseby, K.E., De Jong, S., Munro, N. and Pieck, A. Improving control methods of European rabbits
(Oryctolagus cuniculus) in arid South Australia. Submitted to Wildlife Research
An additional 9 papers are being prepared for publication during 2005.
 Reintroduction Protocols; A comparison of reintroduction methods for the Greater Bilby, Burrowing
Bettong and Greater Stick–nest Rat. Katherine Moseby, Tyrone Lavery and Ruth Coates (Funding obtained
from Nature Foundation SA and Earthwatch).
 The efficacy of different cat, fox and rabbit exclusion fence designs. Katherine Moseby and John Read.
 Diet of the re-introduced Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis; Peramelidae) and Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia
lesueur; Potoroidae) in the Arid Recovery Reserve, northern South Australia. Katherine Moseby and Jackie
Bice.
 Seedling germination and growth rates of selected perennial species under rabbit, cattle and native
mammal grazing regimes. Nicki Munro and Katherine Moseby (Funding obtained from the Native
Vegetation Fund).
 Counting Ferals: estimating activity of rabbits, cats, foxes and dingoes in central Australia. John Read and
Steve Eldridge.
 Rabbit, bilby and bettong warrens as refuges for fauna in arid Australia John Read, Jude Carter, Aaron
Greenville and Katherine Moseby.
 The efficacy and off-target impacts of trapping, baiting and warren ripping for rabbit control. Jason Briffa,
John Read and Reece Pedler.
 Aerial baiting trials for feral cats and foxes at Arid Recovery, northern South Australia.
 A comparison of monitoring methods for reintroduced threatened mammal species in northern South
Australia.
Page 26
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Taryn Vinyard, International Student Volunteer, took part
in the trial release of bilbies outside the Reserve in June 2004.
Photo: Bree Galbraith
Previously Published Research
 Moseby, K.E and O’Donnell, E. (2003). Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid)
(Marsupialia:Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction
protocol. Wildlife Research 30:15-27.
 Ryan, S.A, Moseby, K.E. and Paton, D.C. (2003). Comparative Foraging Preferences of the Greater Sticknest Rat (Leporillus conditor) and the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Implications for
Regeneration of Arid Lands. Australian Mammalogy 25: 135-146.
Conference Presentations During 2004
 Hill, B. M., Moseby, K. M. and Cunningham, L. (2004). A trial release of the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis to
an area outside the Arid Recovery Reserve in South Australia. Conference presentation, Ecological Society
of Australia Conference, Adelaide.
 James, A. I., Eldridge, D. J. and Hill B. M. (2004). Bilbies, bettongs, rabbits and goannas ecosystem
engineers of arid dunefields. Poster abstract, Australian Rangelands Society Conference, Alice Springs.
 James, A. I., Eldridge, D. J. and Hill B. M. (2004). Creation of fertile patches by four ecosystem engineers in
arid South Australia. Conference presentation, Ecological Society of Australia Conference, Adelaide.
 Moseby, K. M., Hill, B. M. and Read, J. L. (2004) Setting yourself up for success: The importance of research
and monitoring in ecological restoration projects Conference presentation, Ecological Society of Australia
Conference, Adelaide.
 Moseby K. E. Lavery, T and Coates, R. (2004) A comparison of soft and hard release protocols for
reintroduced threatened species: greater bilbies, burrowing bettongs and stick-nest rats. Conference
presentation, Australian Mammal Society, Tanunda.
 Newell, J. (2004). Investigating the effects of ecosystem engineering by reintroduced Greater Bilbies
(Macrotis lagotis) and Burrowing Bettongs (Bettongia lesueur). Poster abstract, Australasian Wildlife
Management Society Conference, Kangaroo Island.
 Read J. L., Carter J., Greenville, A. and Moseby K. E. (2004). Rabbit Control Affects More Than Just Rabbits.
Conference presentation, Ecological Society of Australia conference, Adelaide.
Page 27
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Research Project Summaries
The survival and establishment of the Greater Bilby outside the Arid Recovery Reserve.
The Greater Bilby has been extinct in the wild in the Roxby Downs region since the 1930s. In 2000, bilbies were
reintroduced into the Arid Recovery Reserve. Numbers inside the Reserve have increased since this time and
there have been many records of bilbies digging out under the fence. Burrows, digs and tracks indicated that at
least one of these bilbies survived for 6 months outside of the Reserve. Although cats and foxes were present
outside the Reserve the number of foxes in the area during this time was low due to 1080 baiting. The survival of
these bilbies and the extant wild populations in NT and WA where cats are present suggested that bilbies may be
able to survive in the presence of cats but with fox control. A trial release was conducted to determine the
survival of bilbies of different age and sex classes in the presence of reduced fox numbers, outside the Arid
Recovery Reserve.
Twelve bilbies (6 males, 2 adult 4 juvenile and 6 females, 3 adult and 3 juvenile) were released outside the Arid
Recovery Reserve in June 2004. Seven bilbies died within 25 days of release. Predation was the only confirmed
cause of death (6 deaths by feral cats, 1 unknown predator) and an additional bilby could not be located after
release and was assumed to have a failed radio transmitter. Males died first (within 15 days; Figure 17), which
may have been due to the males moving further than the females causing them to be more likely to encounter a
predator. However, four bilbies were still alive at 100 days post release of which two were male and two female.
Movements of these surviving bilbies were not different to those bilbies preyed upon by cats, suggesting they
were just as likely to encounter a predator as those bilbies that were killed. Cat and fox track activities remained
relatively consistent over this time period, suggesting that these bilbies may have learned to avoid predators. The
two females have both successfully carried pouch young to exit since their release. However we do not know if
they have survived. Rabbit numbers around the release site also increased throughout the study which may have
given predators an alternative source of prey. Further studies will be conducted during 2005 to determine if
predator-awareness training can enhance survival outside the Reserve.
7
Male
Female
# bilbies alive
6
5
4
3
2
1
31
29
27
25
23
21
19
17
15
13
11
9
7
5
3
1
0
days since release
Figure 17. The number of male and female bilbies alive from 0-31 days after release outside the Arid Recovery Reserve (does
not include bilby assumed to have had transmitter failure after release).
Page 28
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Daena Yapes, International Student Volunteer, releases a bilby
outside the Reserve in 2004.
Photo: David Hartman
The Arid Recovery Reserve as a source or sink – Spinifex Hopping Mouse distribution
around the Reserve.
Spinifex Hopping Mouse Notomys alexis capture rates inside the Arid Recovery Reserve are up to six times higher
than outside. However, numbers outside the Reserve have also increased since the establishment of the Reserve.
The Reserve fence is not a barrier to hopping mouse movements, but introduced predators outside the Reserve
prey on hopping mice and rabbits may compete for food resources. A trapping array radiating out from the
Reserve was used to determine whether there is an abundance gradient of animals out from the Reserve. Such a
gradient may suggest whether the Reserve is acting as a regional source of hopping mice, supplementing
numbers outside the Reserve.
Hopping mice were caught at 200m, 1km and 10km away from the Reserve but none were caught at sites 22km
away from the Reserve (Table 10). Sites at 22km away from the Reserve are not within the area aerially baited
around the Reserve, therefore predator numbers may be higher at these sites. The number of captures outside the
Reserve was low compared to inside and there was little variation between sites close to the Reserve and those
10km away. Both adult and juvenile mice were caught inside the Reserve and at 1km and 10km away from the
Reserve suggesting that hopping mice at these sites were resident rather than dispersing juveniles. Females
showed evidence of breeding both inside and outside of the Reserve, further suggesting that they were resident
animals. More animals were caught at sites on the east side of the Reserve (90% of outside captures n=10) than to
the south (0%), or west (10%). Habitat differences between sites may also account for differences in capture
success, vegetation surveys will be analysed in 2005.
Table 10. Trap success for hopping mice at increasing distances from the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Distance from Reserve (km)
Trap Success (# hopping mouse captures per trap night)
0 (inside)
4.4
0.2
0.14
1
0.3
10
0.2
22
0
Page 29
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Carly Bishop, WMC Vacation Student, inserting thermal
data loggers into burrows in the Reserve.
Photo: Janet Newell
Comparative thermal properties of nests and burrows within the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Many desert animals create burrows for use as daytime shelters to escape summer heat. These burrows are also
important shelter sites for non burrowing animals and may be crucial for their survival. The insulative properties
of burrows and nests were investigated by using thermal data loggers to record external and internal burrow
temperatures. Thermal data-loggers were placed in 4 shelter types (stick-nest rat nest, stick-nest rat burrow,
burrowing bettong warren and bilby burrow (Figures Figure 18 to Figure 21) and one was used to record ambient
air temperature. Data loggers were placed approximately 1.5 metres into each shelter. A depth of 1.5 was not
possible for stick-nest rat nests, instead attempts were made to insert the data logger into the section of the nest
where the stick-rat rats shelter. After 46 days, data were downloaded and compared for each shelter type by
plotting burrow temperatures at each attach ambient air temperature. Regression lines were fitted to show the
burrow temperature changes at different ambient temperatures.
Bilby burrows (n=3) appeared to be the most insulative shelter type, maintaining a relatively consistent
temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius. Bilby burrows also had the least amount of variation between
sites with the difference between maximum and minimum temperature between burrows being only 6-7 degrees
(Figure 18). The bettong warren (n=1) showed diurnal variation of 24 degrees (range,19 to 33 degrees; Figure 19).
Stick-nest rat shelters appeared to be less effectively insulated particularly against hot temperatures, occasionally
being hotter than ambient air temperature. Stick-nest rat nest (n=3) temperatures ranged from 10-39 degrees and
stick-nest rat burrow (n=3) temperatures ranged from 9 to 42 degrees. Stick-nest rat shelters also had a much
higher degree of variation within each shelter type (nests ranged from 14-29 degrees and burrows 13-33 degrees)
suggesting that either the shelter types vary widely in their insulative properties or more likely that the
placement of the data loggers was not consistently in a position to effectively record temperature inside the
shelter. Nests were more difficult to place data loggers in than burrows as the exact location of the animal within
the nest could not be determined accurately. The next stage of this project is to attempt to get the data loggers into
the actual area of the burrow or nest where the animal shelters.
bilby burrow temperature
Burrow 3
Burrow 2
Burrow 1
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
ambient air temperature
Figure 18. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Bilby burrows in response to changes in ambient air temperature.
All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104)
Page 30
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
bettong burrow temperature
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
ambient air temperature
Figure 19. Change in temperature recorded inside a Burrowing Bettong warren in response to changes in ambient air
temperature All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104)
stick-nest rat nest temperature
Nest 1
Nest 2
Nest 3
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
ambient air temperature
Figure 20. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Stick-nest Rat nests in response to changes in ambient air
temperature. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104)
stick-nest rat burrow temperature
Burrow 3
Burrow 2
Burrow 1
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
ambient air temperature
Figure 21. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Stick-nest Rat burrows in response to changes in ambient air
temperature. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius.( n=1104)
Page 31
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
The Diet of Owls inside the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Joint Project with Graham Medlin from SA Museum
Nocturnal hunting birds are often seen when spotlighting inside the Reserve. These birds may be advantaged by
the increases in small mammal abundance since the construction of the Reserve. Owl pellets were collected from
inside the Reserve during 2002. Contents of pellets were examined by Graham Medlin from the South Australian
Museum, animal species were identified by teeth and bone fragments. No reintroduced species were identified in
the pellets. Pellets predominantly contained introduced house mice, comprising 78% of prey contained within the
pellets (Table 11). Seventeen percent were native mammal species (Table 11). In 2002 there were a large numbers
of house mice caught inside the Reserve (Figure 28), however the capture rate was higher for native mammals
than for house mice. A large proportion of captures of native mammals inside the Reserve are hopping mice
which appear in very low numbers in the owl pellets (1.5% or prey items). Results suggest that owls preferentially
feed on introduced house mice and may not be significant predators of stick-nest rats as has been found at other
release sites.
Table 11. Numbers of prey species recorded within pellets collected from four sites inside with Arid Recovery Reserve during
2002 (n=number of pellets examined).
Barn Owl
(n=82)
Barn Owl
(n=40)
Boobook Owl
(n=1)
House mice
256
263
Forrests mouse
44
Bollams mouse
42
4
11
57
Spinifex hopping mouse
4
3
4
11
Stripe faced dunnart
3
3
Trilling frog
11
11
Bird (unidentified)
7
20
539
1
8
1
13
1
380
1
13
Insect
Total
Total
(n= 135)
44
Mammal (unidentified)
Gecko
Barn Owl
(n=12)
270
2
1
36
688
A feasibility study for the reintroduction of numbats in the Arid Recovery Reserve.
The numbat was once distributed widely throughout arid Australia including much of Western Australia, South
Australia (including the Roxby Downs region) and western New South Wales. South Australian records indicate
that the species previously inhabited the Flinders and Everard Ranges and was recorded anecdotally from the
southern shores of Lake Eyre. In arid South Australia, numbats favoured Sand Dune country and occurred in a
range of habitats including Mulga Woodland and Spinifex grassland. The numbat has been extinct from South
Australia since the 1940s, with its decline largely attributed to predation by introduced predators especially foxes.
Numbats have been successfully re-introduced into a number of reserves including one in South Australia
(Yookamurra Sanctuary). However, no extant or re-introduced populations of Numbats currently occur in areas
as arid as the Arid Recovery Reserve. Surveys were conducted in the main exclosure and second expansion to
determine whether the Reserve had sufficient food and shelter resources to support numbats. Numbats are
termite specialists, and require hollows or burrows for breeding and sufficient cover from aerial predators such as
wedge-tailed eagles.
Tree hollow density surveys were conducted during 2004 and suggest that more than 200 potentially suitable tree
hollows in native pine woodland and approximately 200 in mulga woodland are located within the main
exclosure. Termite numbers varied seasonally (Figures Figure 22 and Figure 23) and were higher in winter and
spring than summer. Similar termite abundance was recorded for the main exclosure and the second expansion
sites in winter and spring. However, the second expansion sites recorded few termite galleries in summer.
Page 32
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Brydie Hill releasing a numbat at Yookamurra Sanctuary
Photo: Katherine Moseby
mean termite avaliability
(active galleries per 20m)
Only the highest densities of termites (14 active galleries per 20 metres) at Arid Recovery matched the mean
densities observed in current numbat habitat in WA. The presence of termites throughout the year suggests that
food would be available to numbats all year round but whether they are available in sufficient densities to
support a populations through summer is not known. The prior distribution of numbats throughout the arid zone
suggests that they did survive hot dry summers. Cover from aerial predators was visually assessed by a numbat
expert (Tony Friend from CALM) and was found to be sufficient to support a trial release. Based on these results
we are currently seeking support from the Numbat Recovery Team for a trial release of numbats into the Reserve
in 2005.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Mulga-open
Mulga-log
Swale
summer
winter
spring
mean termite avaliability
(active galleries per 20m)
Figure 22. Termite availability in three different habitats sampled in the main exclosure of the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Habitats were mulga woodland in the open ground (mulga- open) and mulga woodland with fallen timber (mulga – log), and
chenopod dominated swales.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Mulga-open
Mulga-log
Swale
summer
winter
spring
Figure 23. Termite availability in three different habitats sampled in the second expansion of the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Habitats were mulga woodland in the open ground (mulga- open), mulga woodland with fallen timber (mulga–log), and
chenopod dominated swales.
Page 33
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Creation of fertile patches by four ecosystem engineers in an arid South Australian
dunefield.
Honours project by Alex James, University of Sydney.
The effects of diggings on the creation of fertile patches were compared inside and outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve. The four species examined were the Greater Bilby and the Burrowing Bettong which were previously
locally extinct, the native Sand Goanna and the introduced European Rabbit. Dig densities, mass of excavated
soil, soil nutrients, litter capture and seed germination were compared across three treatments containing
different combinations of the four animals, and across three adjacent landscape types; dunes, swales and the
intervening ecotone.
There were significantly more diggings in the main exclosure, which contained bilbies, bettongs and goannas,
compared with outside the Reserve, where both goannas and rabbits occurred. Dig density outside the Reserve
was significantly higher than in the second expansion, which contained only goannas. Across landscapes, there
was a higher density of diggings in the dunes and ecotones than in the swales. More litter was trapped within
digs in the dunes and ecotones compared with the swales, and the composition of the trapped litter differed
between all three landscape types and between the main exclosure and outside the Reserve.
Digs contained higher levels of carbon and nitrogen
than the surrounding soil, and there were higher
carbon, nitrogen and sulphur levels in the swales
compared with the ecotones and dunes (Figure 24).
Greater litter capture was associated with higher
concentrations of carbon in the digs. Large numbers
of seedlings germinated from litter and soil taken
from the digs compared with only a few seedlings
from the litter and soil collected from the surface,
suggesting that digs trap germinable seed and create
safe sites for germination.
The results indicate that digs are substantial sinks
for resources and provide a level of patchiness that
may be important for the functioning of healthy
ecosystems. The results also indicate that neither
goannas nor rabbits have replaced the ecosystem
engineering role of bilbies and bettongs.
Understanding the impact of these animals on
ecosystem processes and the development of fertile
patches is essential if we are to effectively restore
and manage arid dune ecosystems.
Figure 24. Total carbon (%), nitrogen (%) and
sulphur(%) in relation to landscape and microsite. The
5% LSD bars for landscape (L) and microsite (M) are
shown. Different letters between landscapes or position of
soil sample (surface, adjacent or pit) indicate a significant
difference at P=0.05.
Swale
Page 34
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Greater Bilbies and Burrowing Bettongs as ecosystem engineers: What are the impacts of
their reintroduction to the soil seed bank of arid ecosystems?
A component of the PhD research of Janet Newell, University of Adelaide
The reintroduction of bilbies and bettongs and the removal of feral animals have the potential to affect the soil
seed banks, through changes in seed predation and soil disturbance. Broad-scale surveys of the soil seed bank
were conducted in September 2003, and April and September 2004, comparing sites in the main exclosure
(reintroduced species, no rabbits, cats foxes or cattle), the second expansion (control) and outside the Reserve (
rabbits, cats, foxes, cattle and no reintroduced species). Seed numbers in the surface and 0-2cm depths in the dune
vegetation were significantly lower in the main exclosure (where the bilby and bettong populations are) than
elsewhere (Figure 25), while there was no difference between the swale and dune habitats. There does not appear
to be any significant difference in seed species richness between the main exclosure and the second expansion of
the Reserve. The seed bank on dunes may be being depleted by harvesting by re-introduced species. However,
this seed bank depletion may not necessarily result in a reduction in vegetation as previous studies at the Reserve
have shown that bilby diggings facilitate seed germination with higher numbers of seedlings occurring in the
diggings after rain than on the surface. These results highlight the contribution of the reintroduced species to the
restoration of ecological processes within the Reserve.
Average No. of Seeds/m 2
2500
Main
Outside
2nd exp
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Surface
0-2cm
2-20cm
Sample Depth
Figure 25. The average number of seeds per m2 (± s.e.) collected at each site in the dune vegetation in April 2004.
The diet and habitat use of reintroduced Greater Bilbies and Burrowing Bettongs.
A component of the PhD research of Janet Newell, University of Adelaide.
The diet and habitat use of reintroduced species inside a closed reserve system may change as populations reach
carrying capacity. This work aims to investigate the diet and habitat use of reintroduced bilbies and bettongs over
time and determine whether this can be used to assess the carrying capacity of the Reserve. Foraging digs will be
monitored in areas of the Reserve with high and low population levels at three monthly intervals to identify any
seasonal changes. Changes and/or differences in diet and habitat use observed will be compared with the
physical condition and breeding status of these populations to determine carrying capacity. The diet of these
species will be determined by scat analysis.
Preliminary results indicate considerable differences in foraging activity. Variation was seen between sites within
one vegetation type, between vegetation types (with more diggings in the dunes than mulga or swale) and
between monitoring periods (digging numbers were highest in December 2003).
Scat analysis has shown that the diet of bilbies was composed of mostly seeds and invertebrates. Dietary
composition varied seasonally, most likely in response to food availability.
Page 35
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Woma python
Photo courtesy of WMC Resources
Research Planned for 2005.
A trial reintroduction of the Woma Python into the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Woma Pythons Aspidities ramsayi bred at the Adelaide Zoo will be released into the Arid Recovery Reserve in
2005. Woma pythons are believed to have become extremely rare (possibly locally extinct) in the Roxby Downs
region. The woma python is a predator of many of the native mammals that are abundant inside the Arid
Recovery Reserve. The woma python will be the first predator re-introduced into the Reserve, in an attempt to
restore a natural ecological balance required for the populations inside the Reserve to become self- sustaining. A
reptile is an ideal choice as even if they favour species that are less abundant (such as stick-nest rats) their
metabolic rates and activity patterns are low enough not to have a large impact.
Half of the womas will be placed into a pen and supplied with supplementary food “soft release”. The others will
be placed directly into the Reserve and will not be provided supplementary food “hard release”. Womas will be
monitored by radio-telemetry to determine survival movements, diet and other aspects of their ecology.
A comparison of predator trained, untrained and screened bilbies.
A long-term goal of Arid Recovery is to re-establish threatened species populations outside the fenced Reserve
system. Results from the initial bilby release outside the Reserve suggest that some bilbies may be naturally more
predator aware, and it would be preferable to similarly savvy bilbies for future releases outside the Reserve.
Some bilbies have dug under the Arid Recovery fence and have survived outside the Reserve in areas without
intensive fox baiting. It is possible that escaped bilbies may be more predator aware, more adaptable or show
initiative. Research on other species (eg. numbats) has also shown that training animals to recognise predation
threats can be successful for reintroduction programs, and may be a viable option for establishing bilbies outside
the Reserve.
Bilbies from three treatments will be release concurrently outside the Reserve, treatment one - escaped bilbies,
animals that have dug under internal fences within the Reserve; treatment two - predator trained, bilbies that
been trained to associate visual and scent cues of predators with stressful situations; and treatment three untrained animals, that will be exposed to no training or screening (controls). Radio-telemetry will be used to
monitor bilbies after release to determine any differences in survival, movements, establishment and recruitment.
A trial release of the Numbat into the Arid Recovery Reserve.
The feasibility study carried out in 2004 suggested that the Arid Recovery Reserve has the resources to potentially
support a numbat population. A trial release of up to five numbats is proposed for November 2005. November is
the only month that female numbats are caring for their young. Numbats will be monitored by radio-telemetry to
determine their survival, home range, habitat use, shelter sites and times of activity. Their health will also be
assessed on a regular basis.
Page 36
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Biological Monitoring
The design of the Reserve provides a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of different grazing and
predation treatments on the local ecosystem. Treatments include: reintroduced species only (the main exclosure,
first and northern expansion areas of the Reserve); introduced rabbits, cats and foxes (outside the Reserve on the
mine lease); introduced species and domestic stock (outside the Reserve on pastoral stations); and a control with
no reintroduced species, rabbits, cats foxes or cattle (second expansion: Figure 26).
Rabbits, cattle & dingoes
Cat, Rabbit and Fox-Proof Fence
Dingo Fence
Rabbit-proof fence
Red Lake expansion fence
Red Lake Expansion
Olympic Dam Mine lease boundary
Rabbits &
Cattle.
Reintroduced Spp
Rabbits &
Cattle
No Reintroduced Spp.
Reintroduced Spp
Reintroduced Spp
Rabbits
Figure 26. The Arid Recovery Reserve and surrounding land use, showing the treatments available for comparative research.
Four hundred and forty-seven plant, animal and ecosystem health sites were monitored within the Arid Recovery
in 2004 (Table 12). The seedling recruitment sites (280 sites) and small exclosure vegetation sites were not
monitored this year. More sites were trapped for bandicoots in 2004 but over a shorter period of time. Ecosystem
health was monitored for the first time using the landscape function analysis method, which provides indices of
nutrients, stability and water infiltration aspects of the landscape sampled. Permanent burrow and warren sites
were set up in 2003 and monitored again in 2004. Monitoring of soil for invertebrates and seed was modified to
only sample seed in 2004. A significant amount of time was spent monitoring bilbies released outside of the
Reserve using radio-telemetry (Table 12).
Page 37
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 12. Monitoring conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve. Numbers in bold indicate sites monitored in 2004.
Method
Frequency
Number
Reason
Plant
Jessop Transects, Step Point,
Species List, Photopoint and
Abundance
Annual
30
Investigate regeneration of native plants after
removal of rabbits and domestic stock.
Small Exclosures
Every 3 years
4
Investigate effect of stick-nest rats on the
survival and recruitment of Gunniopsis
quadrifida.
Small Exclosures
Every 3 years
3
Investigate effect of stick-nest rats on
vegetation in preferred habitat areas.
Seedling Counts
Opport.
280
Investigate impact of stock, rabbits and reintroduced species on recruitment of perennial
plant species.
Seedling Measurements
Opport.
40
Investigate impact of stock, rabbits and reintroduced species on growth of perennial
plant species.
Annual
30
Investigate response of small mammals and
reptiles to removal of introduced herbivores
and predators.
Quarter
30
Investigate the effect of reintroduced species
and rabbits, cats and foxes on the seed bank.
Every 3 years
30
Investigate impact of stock, rabbits and reintroduced species on ecosystem health,
measured as stability, nutrients and
infiltration.
Investigate response of birds to removal of
feral cats and rabbits including increases in
structure and vegetation cover and lower
predation levels.
Small Vertebrates
Pitfall Sites
Seeds
Soil Sampling
Ecosystem Health
Landscape Function Analysis
Birds
Bird Transects
Annual
12km
Mist Netting
Annual
3
Spotlight Transect
Quarter
34km
Track Transects
Month
11
Track Transects
Quarter
31km
Trapping Transect
Annual
113 sites
Investigate site fidelity, longevity and habitat
preference of native bird species.
Feral Cats, Foxes, Rabbits
Investigate the temporal changes in feral
animals around the Reserve fenceline.
Determine the efficacy of aerial baiting trials
around the outside of the Reserve.
Re-introduced Species
Page 38
Investigate temporal changes in abundance of
stick nest rats, bettongs, bilbies and bandicoots
in the main, first and northern expansions.
Annual trapping to determine population
fluctuations of reintroduced species.
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Australian Bustard
Photo: Mark Ziembicki
Table 12 continued: Monitoring conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve
Method
Frequency
Number
Reason
Re-introduced Species (continued)
Spotlighting
Quarter
42.5km
Investigate temporal changes in abundance of
stick-nest rats, bettongs, bilbies and western
barred bandicoots in main and first expansion
and northern expansion
Burrow and Nest
measurements
Annual
67
To observe changes to warrens, burrows and
nests over time.
Six monthly
20
Trapping to determine nest fidelity and
relatedness at nest sites.
Scanning Plates
Opport.
3
Investigate survival after re-introduction into
the main exclosure.
Trapping
Opport.
76
Investigate survival after re-introduction into
the main exclosure.
Greater Stick-Nest Rats
Nest Sites
Western Barred Bandicoots
Table 13. Radio-tracking conducted at Arid Recovery during 2004
Species
Project
Freq
Duration
No
Reason
Sleepy Lizards
Sleepy Lizard
Home range
Daily
3 months
20
Record home range and foraging
activities of Sleepy Lizards
Greater Bilbies
External Bilby
Release
Daily
6 months
12
Investigate survival after reintroduction outside the Reserve
Echidnas
Echidna Ecology in
the Arid Zone
Weekly
1 month
3
Record features of echidna ecology in
the arid zone
Birds
Birds numbers are monitored each year by the University of Adelaide. Results from 2004 have not yet been
analysed but bird abundance appeared to be low overall during monitoring in April. Preliminary analysis in 2003
suggested that during dry times, the Reserve provides more resources for birds compared to outside, and results
for 2004 may support this as conditions were very dry during the 2004 monitoring. Good winter rainfall resulted
in many nomadic species moving into the Roxby Downs region. Crimson Chats and White Winged Trillers were
observed breeding in the Reserve. Tracks of the Australian Bustard were also seen several times inside the
Reserve
Page 39
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Carly Bishop, WMC Vacation Student, examines a
captured sand goanna during 2004 small vertebrate monitoring.
Photo: Katherine Moseby
Small Vertebrate Monitoring
Small vertebrate pitfall and Elliot trapping sites are located at vegetation monitoring sites and are trapped
annually to determine changes in the abundance and diversity of small reptiles and mammals.
There are 12 sites situated inside the main exclosure of the Reserve, 7 sites within the second expansion control
site and 11 outside. Sites are comprised of six pitfall traps and 15 elliot traps set for four nights.
Results from the first three years of trapping revealed little difference in native mammal captures between sites
inside and outside the exclosure (Figure 27). However, during 2001 significantly higher numbers of native
mammals were recorded at sites within the Reserve than outside (t=2.482, df=21, P<0.05) and this trend was
maintained in 2003 and 2004.
During 2004, a total of 1008 small mammals and reptiles were captured during the four night survey from 30
sites, a trap success of 37.4%. The number of small mammal captures inside the Reserve was almost 5 times
higher than outside, with an average of 33% trap success inside compared to 7% outside (Figure 27).
The control sites were trapped as a group for the first time in 2003, and in 2004 showed similar numbers of small
mammal captures to the inside sites in the main exclosure where reintroduced animals are present, with an
average of 39% trap success per site (n=7). The number of mammal captures inside both the main exlosure and
the control (first expansion) areas of the Reserve were higher than outside.
The majority of small mammal captures in 2004 were Spinifex Hopping Mice and Bolams mice. Overall numbers
were higher than those in 2003, and were probably due to an increase in rainfall in 2003 compared to 2002 (this
trapping is conducted in February and results are therefore influenced by rainfall from the preceeding year). The
number of small mammal captures at both the outside and inside sites in 2004 were comparable to that of 2002,
which followed a wet year in 2001. High numbers inside the Reserve may reflect the abundance of grass and
vegetation cover since the removal of rabbits and may also reflect lower predation rates within the Reserve.
Hopping mice are regularly found within the stomachs of feral cats trapped outside the Reserve.
Interestingly, the number of house mice at sites inside and outside the Reserve in 2004 were not significantly
different, however the control sites had double the number of captures of house mice (Figure 27). These
fluctuations in house mouse numbers may reflect the transient and ephemeral nature of the species. Native
mammals are more likely to be resident in the area than house mice which will build up in number in good
seasons and disperse through the Reserve and surrounding areas.
Reptile captures showed little difference in captures between inside and outside sites during the first few years of
trapping. However, recent capture results show less reptile captures within the Reserve than outside (Figure 29),
an opposite trend that observed in native mammals (Figure 27). These data will be analysed further in 2005.
Control sites had less reptile captures than the inside sites in 2003, but there was no obvious difference between
these sites in 2004. Some reptile species may be favoured by sparse vegetation cover and many reptiles respond to
change in vegetation structure rather than vegetation cover.
Page 40
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
mean # captures per trap per site
0.45
0.4
inside
0.35
outside
0.3
control
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
mean # of captures per trap per site
Figure 27. Average number of native mammal captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control area (n=7) of
the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error.
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
inside
outside
control
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Figure 28. Average number of house mice captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control area (n=7) of the
Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error.
number of captures per site
14
inside
12
outside
10
control
8
6
4
2
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Figure 29. Average number of reptile captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control area (n=7) of the Arid
Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error.
Page 41
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Volunteers taking soil samples in the Reserve
Photo: Viki Nathan
Ecosystem Health: Landscape Function Analysis
Ecosystem health was monitored for the first time in 2004, using a method called Landscape Function Analysis,
developed by Tongway and Hindley (2004)1. This method records features about the soil and vegetation
characteristics that translate into 3 indices that measure different features of ecosystem health namely, stability,
nutrients and infiltration. Landscape function analysis features were recorded at the 30 standard monitoring sites
inside and outside the Reserve (including the control sites in the second expansion).
Dune sites scored higher on infiltration (Figure 31) and lower on nutrients (Figure 32) and stability (Figure 30)
than swale or mulga sites. Mulga sites had the highest nutrient scores (Figure 32). Differences between indices
for the different treatments may be attributable to site differences in addition to treatment difference. Resampling of the same sites over time will differentiate between treatment and site effects.
Other research within the Reserve has shown a higher deposition of nutrients within digs compared to the
surface, suggesting that with an increased frequency of foraging digs within the Reserve there may be ecosystem
benefits from reintroducing digging species. Sites will be re-sampled for Landscape Function Analysis after 5
years to determine any differences in ecosystem health between inside and outside the Reserve after a longer time
period.
inside
control
outside
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
swale
dune
mulga
Figure 30. Stability indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery Reserve. Inside
sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve with no reintroduced species
present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at each location varies according to habitat (swale,
n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4; mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1).
Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L. (2004) Landscape Function Analysis : Procedures for Monitoring and Assessing Landscapes. With special
reference to Minesites and Rangelands. Manual published by CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.
1
Page 42
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
70
inside
control
outside
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
swale
dune
mulga
Figure 31. Infiltration indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery Reserve.
Inside sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve with no reintroduced species
present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at each location varies according to habitat (swale,
n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4; mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1).
45
inside
control
outside
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
swale
dune
mulga
Figure 32. Nutrient indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery Reserve. Inside
sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve with no reintroduced species
present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at each location varies according to habitat (swale,
n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4; mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1).
Page 43
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Arid Recovery website
www.aridrecovery.org.au
Publicity, Education and Awareness
More than 355 known media items have been generated by Arid Recovery since 1997, with 65 items of publicity
recorded in 2004 (Table 14). Highlights included national radio coverage and presentation as a case study in an
international mining publication.
website visitors
The Arid Recovery website, www.aridrecovery.org.au, was completely rebuilt in 2004 with all information being
expanded upon and updated. The website is a valuable source of information and is accessed by a wide range of
people from around the world. Visits to the site steadily increased throughout 2003 and this trend continued in
2004 with the average number of visitors per month rising from 297 in the latter half of 2003 to 550 in 2004 (Figure
33).
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2003
2004
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun Jul
month
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Figure 33. Visitors to the Arid Recovery website each month since tracking began in June 2003.
Students from around Australia were involved in the project in 2004 through talks at local schools and visits from
students and/or staff from the Adelaide University, Roxby Downs Area School, Magill Primary School, Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), University of Queensland, University of Sydney and Flinders
University High School. A workshop was held with group of visiting secondary school teachers about how to
integrate information from Arid Recovery into environmental education curricula.
Tours of the Reserve are being run by the Friends Group through the Visitor Information Centre in Roxby Downs.
Friends group volunteers lead groups on an interpretive walk to the viewing platform at sunset followed by time
in the viewing hide to observe nocturnal fauna. Twenty-eight tours were conducted in 2004.
Arid Recovery is increasingly featured on WMC itineraries for visitors including project tours and BBQ’s and in
2004 included a dinner for the WMC board. The mining industry maintains a strong interest in the project and
visits from six mining interest groups were hosted at the Reserve in 2004 including the Australian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) conference participants and Minerals Council of Australia’s External
Sustainability Development Advisory Group. Arid Recovery also gave a presentation at the Australian Minerals
Council international conference on global sustainability.
In 2004, Arid Recovery became a priority program under the Rangelands Integrated Natural Resource
Management (INRM) Group. This State and Commonwealth government program (funded by both the State and
the Natural Heritage Trust) aims to achieve sustainable natural resource management on a regional scale.
Through this program information and techniques developed by Arid Recovery can be communicated and
applied throughout the rangelands. An INRM meeting was hosted by Arid Recovery at Roxby Downs in 2004.
Presentations were given to the INRM board and to other INRM priority project proponents. Arid Recovery staff
were also involved in the development of a regional pest control strategy.
Page 44
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 14. Known items of publicity generated by Arid Recovery in 2004
Date
Media Group
Details
18-Jan-04
Radio National
Ockham’s Razor – James Woodford reads an extract from his book
“The Dog Fence” describing the project.
04-Mar-04
5AN (ABC 891)
Interview with Katherine Moseby and Greg Johnston (Adelaide
Zoo): Potential release of Woma pythons at Arid Recovery
26-Mar-04
ABC Adelaide
Arid Recovery’s rabbit control success mentioned in an interview
of Tony Radcliffe with Carol Whitelock
Apr-04
ABC Port Pirie
Interview with Katherine Moseby: Bilbies vs Bunnies
16-Apr-04
Radio
(5UV)
Amelia McFarlane interview with Brydie Hill: Arid Recovery
objectives & achievements
May-04
ROX FM
Community Announcement for Aerial Baiting
Jul-04
ABC National
Interview with Brydie Hill: bilby release
Jul-04
Triple J
Interview with Brydie Hill: bilby release
21-Sep-04
ABC Radio Riverina
15 minute interview about Arid Recovery with Earthwatch
Volunteer Tony Hepworth
28-Sep-04
ABC Radio Riverina
15 minute interview about Arid Recovery with Earthwatch
Volunteer Tony Hepworth
20-Nov-04
ABC North & West
Interview with Brydie Hill: Arid Recovery in general
Jan-04
South
Australian
Tourism Commission
Included in a Tourism Fact Sheet which will be distributed to
Inbound Tour Operators and other travel trade through the
SATC’s Overseas Offices.
Jan-04
Australian
Environment
Industry Directory
Listed in 2004 Directory
29-Jan-04
The Monitor
Article: “Annual trapping at Arid Recovery”
Feb-04
Friends
Newsletter
12-Feb-04
The Monitor
Far North in Focus article: annual trapping
20-Feb-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Article: “Arid Recovery survey yields exciting results”
26-Feb-04
The Monitor
Article: “Wildlife numbers high at Arid Recovery”
26-Feb-04
The Monitor
Photo: “Close look at local wildlife”
Mar-04
Bilby Recovery team
Update presented through newsletter
Mar-04
Earthwatch Institute
Vol. 23, No. 2
Profile of “Bringing Back the Bilbies” expedition
11-Mar-04
The Monitor
Article: “The changing face of Arid Recovery”
Apr-04
Eco-Voice
Article: “The next phase – SA Bilby recovery program”
08-Apr-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Front Page Article: “Resurrecting the bush with dreams of a rabbitfree future:”
08-Apr-04
The Monitor
Front Page Article: “Bilby vs Bunny this Easter”
22-Apr-04
The Monitor
Article: “Bird watching a serious business at Arid Recovery”
Radio
Adelaide
Print
Group
Distributed to 180 members
Page 45
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 14 continued. Known items of publicity generated by Arid Recovery in 2004
Date
Media Group
Details
22-Apr-04
The Monitor
Dave Kovac’s line-drawing of the Arid Recovery Reserve used on
Kid’s Holiday Fun Page
22-Apr-04
The Monitor
Full Page: Aerial Baiting Warning Poster
23-Apr-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Article: “Keeping an ‘earthwatch’ on the Arid Recovery Project”
07-May-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Article: “Baited breath for cats, foxes”
20-May-04
The Monitor
Article about upcoming bilby release
20-May-04
The Monitor
Article: “Bait warning for pet owners”
20-May-04
The Monitor
Article about pelican tagged by Arid Recovery Volunteers Tony
Lewis & Trudie Jacques
03-Jun-04
The Monitor
Article: “International volunteers assist at the Arid Recovery
Reserve”
04-Jun-04
Advertiser
World Environment Day Feature Liftout Article: “Bilbies Come
Home”
Jul-04
Friends
of
Arid
Recovery Newsletter
Combination of hard copies and electronic copies sent to 220
member households
01-Jul-04
The Monitor
Article: “Bilbies unfenced, free in Far North”
09-Jul-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Article: “Wild bilbies return to Roxby”
14-Jul-04
Advertiser
Article: “Why bilby lovers are grinning ear to ear”
15-Jul-04
The Monitor
Article: “New arrivals at Arid Recovery”
15-Jul-04
The Monitor
Two Page Article: “Photo Club – Images of Arid Recovery”
29-Jul-04
The Monitor
Article: “Bilbies fall victim to feral predators”
29-Jul-04
The Monitor
Photos from Reserve used in article: “Come and see the bloomin’
desert”
Sep-04
Across The Outback
Article: “Arid recovery inspection”
Sep-04
CSIRO Earthmatters
Article: “From bunnies to bilbies”
Sep-04
ICMM Newsletter
Arid Recovery profiled in “Good Practices” section + front page
photo
Sep-04
The Chain (Friends of
Parks Newsletter)
Update re Annual Trapping
Sep-04
Letterbox drop
Grey electorate
in
Arid Recovery mentioned in Barry Wakelin’s 2004 campaign
material
Sep-04
‘Across The Regions’
insert in The Monitor
Arid Recovery mentioned in Barry Wakelin’s 2004 campaign
material
17-Sep-04
Roxby Downs Sun
Article: “Arid Recovery hosts international volunteers”
23-Sep-04
The Monitor
Article: “Bilbies travel from the ocean to the outback”
29-Sep-04
The Riverina Leader
Article: “Bringing back the bilbies”
Nov-04
Anti-Rabbit Roundup
(RFA Newsletter)
Article: “Arid Recovery project at Roxby Downs”
Print (continued)
Page 46
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 14 continued. Known items of publicity generated by Arid Recovery in 2004
Date
Media Group
Details
Nov-04
Friends
of
Arid
Recovery Newsletter
Combination of hard copies and electronic copies sent to 242
member households
Nov-04
ICMM: Case studies
from around
the
world
Arid Recovery included in case studies (pages 38 & 39)
Dec-04
Friends of Parks Inc
“Chain Newsletter”
Annual Trapping report and general update for 2004.
Jan-04
The Dam News
Article about KESAB Tidy Towns Awards
12-Mar-04
Note From John #07
Mentioned visit to Arid Recovery
May-04
Dam News
Executive committee’s visit to the Reserve
26-May-04
Resources Weekly
Article: “Arid Recovery achievement recognised”
26-May-04
WMC Update
News Article: “Arid Recovery achievement recognised”
18-Jun-04
Note From John #21
Bilby release progress report
29-Jun-04
Resources Weekly
Article: “Bilbies return to the wild at Roxby Downs”
02-Jul-04
Note From John #23
Bilby release progress report
06-Jul-04
Q&A Forum
Question posted about bilby release and answered by BH.
09-Jul-04
Note From John #24
Bilby release progress report
30-Jul-04
Note From John #29
Bilby release progress report
06-08-04
Note From John #30
Bilby release progress report
11-Aug-04
Dam News
Article: “Bilbies Released”
13-Aug-04
Note From John #31
Bilby release progress report
Sep-04
WMC Review
Article: “Bilbies go wild”
10-Sep-04
Note From John #35
Bilby release progress report
GTS BKN
Interview re the role of NHT funds and success of project
Print (continued)
WMC Intranet
Television
29-Sep-04
Media Releases
Feb-04
$150,000 for Wildlife Research in SA
05-Apr-04
Easter Bunny Replaced in Roxby Downs
21-May-04
World Environment Day Awards Finalists
29-Jun-04
Wild bilbies return to Roxby Downs
7-Sep-04
More than $27,000 invested to protect threatened species in SA
Page 47
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 15. Education and Awareness initiatives generated by the project during 2004 and to date (from 1998).
Details
Target Audience
Total in 2004
Total to date
General public
65
355
General public
2000
7000
Media Items
See Table 14 for details
Info brochures
Arid Recovery
Sub-regional tourism brochure
2000
Info displays
Glendambo Field Day
Pastoralists
1
National Parks festival
General public
3
Environmental Expo
General public
1
Roxby Downs Market Day
Roxby Downs community
WMC Family Day
Mining community
4
Roxby Pageant Float
Roxby Downs community
3
World Environment Day
School children
4
National Science Week
School children
2
Olympic Dam Expansion
WMC employees
1
Eclipse at Roxby Downs
General Public
1
Royal Adelaide Show
General Public
1
Alligator Festival Port Augusta
Aboriginal School Children
1
Outback Fringe Festival in Roxby
Downs
General Public
1
1
Information Night for Roxby
Residents
Roxby Downs community
1
1
Easter Stall and Display Roxby Mall
Roxby Downs community
1
1
Business and Community
Partnerships awards presentation
Business and community
members
1
1
Friends of Parks Forum
Friends of Parks Members
1
1
7
22
Talks
Friends of the Arid Botanic Gardens
Conservationists
3
Natural Resource Management
Forum
Pastoralists
1
National Parks Forum
National Parks staff
1
World Environment day
Roxby Downs school students
5
Northern Industries Forum
Mining and industry delegates
1
Field Naturalist Society
Roxby Downs community
1
Friends of Parks Events
Friends of Parks Members
2
Environment Institute
Professionals
1
Adelaide Investigator Centre
School/Uni students
1
Page 48
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 15 continued. Education and Awareness initiatives generated by the project during 2004 and to date (from 1998).
Details
Target Audience
Total in 2004
Total to date
Roxby Downs Area School
School students
1
5
Port Pirie School
School students
1
Australian Koala Foundation
Scientific Community
1
Federal Minister for Environment
and advisors
Federal Politicians
1
Field naturalists groups– Adelaide
General public
3
Adelaide University Seminar
Scientific community
1
Field Naturalists – interstate
General Public
1
WMC Environment Seminars
Scientific Mining community
1
4
Adelaide Zoo
Zoo Volunteers
1
1
Project Presentation to NRM group
NRM board and other project
proponents
2
2
Business and Community
Partnerships
Business and community
members
1
1
WMC environmental coordinators
and high school teachers
Scientific and educational
community
1
1
Local Community Awareness Aerial
baiting
Andamooka community
1
2
Earthwatch presentation – Adelaide
Zoo
General public
1
1
Talks (continued)
Scientific Conferences
Resource 2000
Mining Scientific community
1
Mammal Society of Australia
Scientific community
1
2
Ecological Society of Australia
Scientific community
4
6
Australian Rangelands Society
Scientific community
1
3
Australian Wildlife Management
Scientific community
1
2
Birds Australia
Scientific community
1
Australasian Vertebrate Pest
Scientific community
1
Earthwatch Conference
Scientific community and
General Public
2
Australian Vet Conference
Veterinarians
1
Rotary Feral Cats Conference
Scientific community and
General Public
2
Australia Native Plant Network
Conference
Scientific community
1
Australian Minerals Conference
Mining Scientific community
1
2
Rangeland Pest Plant and Animal
Control Conference
Scientific community
1
1
Page 49
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 15 continued. Education and Awareness initiatives generated by the project during 2004 and to date (from 1998).
Details
Target Audience
Total in 2004
Total to date
University of Adelaide
University students
1
8
University of South Australia
University students
University camps
2
Reserve Visits
Schools and universities
Students and children
7
29
Green Corp/CVA/ISV
Youth
3
8
Earthwatch
General public
2
4
Indigenous training camps
Aboriginal groups
Open days, working bees
Friends members, general public
2
14
Public Tours (paid)
General public
28
37
4
Volunteers and Community Involvement
Over 500 people have actively assisted Arid Recovery on a voluntary basis since its inception in July 1997.
Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds and include:
 Friends members and volunteers > 200
 WMC Resources staff – 25
 University of Adelaide Students – 100
 University of SA Students – 26
 National Parks staff and Government staff – 19
 CVA/Greencorp trainees – 100
 Members of indigenous organizations – 65
 Earthwatch Volunteers – 32
 International Student Volunteers – 17
Look and Learn Visits
Arid Recovery is a world leader in ecosystem recovery through the use of exclusion fencing. The success of the
Arid Recovery fence design has been reproduced in Hawaii where an exclusion fence based on the Arid Recovery
design has successfully protected the endangered Nene Geese when moulting and breeding. Many groups visit
the Reserve to learn about how the Reserve was created and how techniques used at Arid Recovery can be used
on their projects. Look and learn visitors to Arid Recovery in 2004 included staff from Banrock Station, NSW
Parks staff with Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area committee members and researchers working at
Currawinya Reserve in southern Queensland.
In addition to scientific conferences, presentations have been given by Arid Recovery staff and volunteers to
many different interest groups. In 2004 these included a local community awareness evening, volunteers at the
Adelaide Zoo and local school groups. Other awareness raising programs in 2004 included an Easter stall in
Roxby Downs promoting bilbies not bunnies and the development of a fact sheet for effective rabbit control
methods based on research at Arid Recovery. The fact sheet was launched at a regional field day in Cleve and is
promoted by the regional pest control workers.
Page 50
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Arid Recovery staff with the April 2004 Earthwatch team
Photo: Yvette Mooney
University of Adelaide
Two groups from the University of Adelaide visited the Reserve during 2004. One group led by Dr David Paton
conducted the annual bird monitoring in April. Another group of third year Ecological Restoration students
completed a one week research project on hopping mouse distribution around the Reserve. Four groups of
Ecological restoration students have conducted projects at the Reserve to date. Two Adelaide University students
are conducting PhD projects at the Reserve. Janet Newell is studying the impact of reintroduced species on the
local seed bank and Josh Griffiths is using the Reserve to conduct an independent project on the ecology of the
Greater Bilby. An honours student from the University of Adelaide will commence work on a project on hopping
mice in 2005.
Earthwatch
Arid Recovery hosted two Earthwatch expeditions in 2004. Earthwatch is an international organisation that
supports global conservation research through financial and volunteer contributions.
Thirty-two Earthwatch volunteers have contributed to the project to date, 13 in 2004. Volunteers come from all
over the world including the United States, Japan, Denmark, Malta, Germany and England.
Earthwatch volunteers made a valuable contribution to the collection of data at Arid Recovery. The most helpful
tasks completed by volunteers were sieving soil samples for seed and counting berries on Ruby Saltbush to
compare fruit production inside and outside the Reserve. However, the volunteers also assisted with many other
tasks and in total the teams trapped at 114 cage trap sites, sieved 30 soil samples, counted more than 200 berries,
trapped and radio-tracked 20 sleepy lizards, measured 67 holes, nests and burrows and radio-tracked 3 echidnas.
International Student Volunteers
Two International Student Volunteer groups visited the Reserve in 2004. The International Student Volunteer
program provides opportunities for students from the USA to travel overseas and participate in conservation and
community development programs as part of their college education. Volunteers to the Reserve in 2004 installed
8 km of internal foot mesh to stop bilbies from digging out of the Reserve. They also participated in rabbit control
in the Red Lake expansion area, trapping bilbies, numbat resource surveys and monitoring Sleepy Lizards. One
group was lucky enough to participate in our bilby release outside the Reserve.
Page 51
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Friends of Arid Recovery logo
Designed in 2004 by Raynal Sim, Friends of Arid Recovery volunteer
Friends of Arid Recovery
The Friends of Arid Recovery now has over 240 member households with members from as far afield as Germany
and the United States. Membership includes WMC employees, primary, secondary and tertiary students, local
pastoralists and soil boards, general public, National Parks Friends groups and employees, 4WD Clubs,
Australian Geographic and local businesses.
The Friends group produces a quarterly newsletter that is distributed to all members and sponsors. The group
coordinates volunteer involvement in the project, staffs information displays, organises fundraisers and conducts
working bees.
Fundraisers during 2004 included selling of merchandise, stalls at the Roxby Downs Market, a stall and barbeque
at the Outback Fringe Festival and the making and selling of chocolate bilbies over Easter.
Other activities organised and assisted by the Friends group this year included tag-a-long night tours, checking
cat traps, assisting with annual trapping for small mammals and reptiles, radio-tracking bilbies and sleepy
lizards, vegetation monitoring, bandicoot and stick nest rat trapping, data entry and checking, scribing in the field
and supporting two volunteer research student projects.
During 2004, the Friends group applied for 5 grants (Table 16) and received or secured over $90 000. Many local
businesses and landholders also sponsored Arid Recovery through the use of their goods and services. Lavrick
Engineering sponsor $50 worth of free fuel every month.
Table 16. Grants applied for and monies received/secured by the Friends Group during 2004.
Grant
NHT Envirofund 03-04
Amount Applied
Received (or secured)
$22,620
$22,620
$9,360
$5,800
NHT Envirofund 04-05
$15,320
$15,320
Rangelands INRM
$64,000
$64,000
$5,800
$0
$117,100
$97,740
Threatened Species Network (WWF)
Vodafone / Earthwatch
TOTAL
Page 52
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
L-R: KESAB, Friends of Parks
Inc, United Nations
Association of Australia
Awards
Arid Recovery volunteers, partners and staff have been continually recognised for their hard work and success
through winning several awards and being highly recommended for others. 2004 was no exception with Arid
Recovery receiving two awards and being a finalist for another (Table 17).
Table 17. Awards received by Arid Recovery to date.
2004
KESAB Award for Environmental Excellence
Winner
Friends Of Parks Special Award for Pest Animal Control
Winner
UN World Environment Day Awards
Finalist
2003
Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships
State Winner
KESAB Award for Environmental Excellence
Winner
Bushcare Nature Conservation Awards
Finalist
Landcare Community Awards
Finalist
UN World Environment Day Awards :
- Excellence in Land Management
Finalist
- Best Community Based Environmental Project
Finalist
Banksia Foundation Awards
Finalist
2002
National Australia Bank Community Link Award
Winner
Friends of Parks – Best Wildlife Award
Highly Commended
KESAB Award for Environmental Education
Winner
2001
SA Great Regional Award for Science and Environment
Winner
WMC Resources “DAM Best” Award
Winner
SA ALCOA Landcare community group
Finalist
2000
Resource 2000 – corporate citizenship
Winner
Resource 2000 – special award for Environmental Excellence
Winner
Page 53
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
2004 Budget
Contributions
Over $700 000 of in-kind and monetary contributions were received from 15 organisations in 2004 (Table 18).
Monetary contributions comprised over 70% of the total contributions, with WMC contributing 51% of the total
project contributions. WMC was the largest single monetary contributor, providing 69% of the finances. WMC’s
contribution was higher in 2004 than previous years due to funding of capital works (fencing) in the Red Lake
expansion area and the employment of additional staff member for rabbit control work in the this expansion. The
Friends group privately raised 25% of monetary costs.
In-kind contributions represented over 25% of the total contributions to the project. Major in-kind contributors
included the Friends of Arid Recovery, University of Adelaide and International Student Volunteers (Table 18).
In-kind contributions involved the donation of volunteer labour for plant, animal and endangered species
monitoring, veterinary assistance, research, fuel, feral animal control, car parts and food. In-kind labour
contributions are valued at $20 per hour for unspecialised labour and $25 or $30 per hour for professional labour,
following standard Natural Heritage Trust recommendations outlined by the Commonwealth Government.
Professional in-kind contributions include monitoring by DEH and the Department for Water Land and
Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) staff, vehicle use donated by DEH and steering committee members’
contributions.
WMC Resources provide a highly significant amount of in-kind support that is not quantified in this report. Staff
from both the Land Management Department and Environment Section have operational involvement in Arid
Recovery as part of their work program. In 2004 these included contributions from Yvette Mooney Publicity and
Administration officer, John Read WMC Land Manager, Pete Paisley WMC Land Management Coordinator and
Greg Kammermann WMC Land Management Projects Officer. Other significant in-kind contributions from WMC
Resources include office space and facilities, land resources and administrative and maintenance support.
Expenditure
Major expenditure items included wages, fencing materials and research and reintroduction activities (Table 18).
Wages include two full time positions comprised of one full time Project Coordinator and one full time Project
Officer. A casual position for a Scientific Advisor was maintained in 2004. A Maintenance Officer was also
employed for one day a week to conduct fence checks and maintenance and a casual Feral Animal Control Officer
was employed for 10 months to conduct rabbit control in the Red Lake expansion. Other major expense items
included the fuel and maintenance for the 4WDs and volunteer associated costs such as fuel and food
reimbursements.
Proposed 2005 Budget
Annual Contributions and Expenditure
Over $280,000 of funding has already been secured for 2005 (Table 20). Major contributors are WMC Resources,
Natural Heritage Trust (through INRM and Envirofund) and Earthwatch.
The main project costs in 2005 will be wages, fuel, feral animal control, internal foot mesh and endangered species
reintroduction and monitoring. Arid Recovery has increased the focus on research and information dissemination
now that fencing and feral animal eradication is nearly complete.
Page 54
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 18. Arid Recovery Contributions and Expenditure during 2004.
2004 Contributions
2004
monetary
2004
in kind
2004
total
Contributors
WMC Resources (operating)
215,225
WMC Resources (capital)
161,929
SA Dept. for Environment & Heritage
10,500
University of Adelaide
Adelaide Zoo
215,225
161,929
13,880
24,380
32,355
32,355
400
400
1,000
1,000
Conservation Volunteers Abroad
7,680
7,680
Dept. Water Land and Biodiversity Cons
3,150
3,150
27,360
27,360
1,240
1,240
12,800
29,348
98,150
98,150
Aboriginal Lands Trust
CALM WA
International Student Volunteers
University of Queensland
Earthwatch
16,548
Friends of Arid Recovery
In-kind support
Fundraising
6,086
6,086
Donations
4,670
4,670
Nature Foundation
3,500
3,500
Envirofund (NHT)
51,986
51,986
INRM
32,510
32,510
Grants
Sponsors
Lavrick’s Roadhouse
350
Total Contributions
503,303
198,015
701,318
2004 Expenditure
WMC
Friends / DEH
Total
Wages
Vehicle Costs
350
168,272
19,413
168,272
3,587
23,001
11,425
11,425
Fauna & Veg Monitoring
858
858
Feral Animal Control
437
437
Research & Reintroductions
Fencing
Reserve Infrastructure
160
8,486
8,646
4,789
5,460
10,249
6,669
6,669
Education & Awareness
Fundraising Costs
933
933
32,477
897
33,374
Communications/Administration/Postage
3,428
617
4,044
Travel & Accommodation
8,090
629
8,720
Personnel Expenses
2,475
General Stores *
Volunteer Reimbursements
CAPITAL: Quad Bike
2,475
3,753
3,753
9,600
9,600
CAPITAL: Fencing Materials
152,329
152,329
Total Expenditure
401,033
43,751
444,784
Funds held by Friends of Arid Recovery
*
Opening balance of account as at 1 January 2004
37,833
Closing balance of account as at 31 December 2004
96,352
Includes fencing and Reserve infrastructure costs for 2004
Page 55
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 19. Annual In-Kind Contributions
Contributor
1998
Aboriginal Land Trust
1999
2000
1,800
4,000
BP
2001
2002
2003
2004
prop.
1,000
100
CALM W.A.
5,000
Coates Hire
2,000
Conservation Volunteers Aust.
13,200
Cowell Electric
CSIRO W.A.
DEH*
2,400
11,520
150
150
200
1,700
2,040
2,500
7,680
2,000
3,000
3,400
Dept. WALABI
5,839
10,000
2,000
1,000
Earthwatch
550
Foodland
Friends of Arid Recovery**
300
200
30,774
63,845
8,400
38,400
135,600
67,740
79,680
300
1,500
Heading contractors
80,832
98,150
35,200
27,360
150
1,000
Lavrick Engineering
1,200
Northpoint Toyota
1,000
660
387
Olympic Dam Maintenance
1,500
Olympic Dam Tours
400
Olympic Dam Transport
1,000
Pastoral Management Branch
520
1,760
PIRSA (APCC)
700
350
Readymix
2,180
1,550
1,000
1,000
1,100
3,000
855
985
2,370
Roxby Downs Motor Inn
4,000
2,000
300
180
500
50
Roxby Downs Racing Club
180
Royal Zoological Soc. of S.A.
4,000
SBS
3,000
3,000
4,000
2,000
500
480
500
7,000
13,975
10,000
250
Specialised Tyres
800
Trek About Tours
1,000
865
400
Tubemakers Roxby Downs
200
21,000
36,120
17,300
12,700
University of Queensland
32,355
1,240
University of SA
14,400
Wreckair hire
Total Contributions
400
340
SDS
University of Adelaide
90,000
71,400
Int’l Student Volunteers
Roxby Downs Area School
3,150
200
60
23,975
Garry Baker Building
Greencorps
13,880
12,800
Eurest
*
2004
actual
58,580
150,574
9,000
200
250
200
243,390
171,012
108,800
200
113,756
152,400
198,015
This in kind contribution does not include costs of maintaining breeding colonies of endangered species or genetic databases. These costs
would be considerable.
** Now includes community support from 1997 and 1998, prior to the establishment of the Friends of Arid Recovery.
Page 56
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 20. Annual Financial Contributions
Income
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
prop.
2004
actual
2005
prop.
32,344
116,500
167,467
111,038
164,761
194,555
216,864
215,225
192,928
38,000
9,081
38,000
Contributors
WMC (operating)
WMC (capital)
Earthwatch
Land Mgmt Research Grant
Dept. Environment
161,929
26,793
12,000
16,548
10,800
5,250
10,500
10,500
10,500
500
100
350
21,080
18,000
University of Adelaide
BHP
4,420
3,700
3,000
2,540
8,000
35,000
Dog Fence Board
13,500
Macro Meats
164
102
Australia Geographic
214
10,000
Aboriginal Lands Trust
2,350
Wesfarmers
4,000
300
RZSSA *
1,000
Haighs
5,000
Friends of Arid Recovery
Donations
Fundraising **
2,000
3,953
1,573
6,047
4,079
4,670
200
12,096
5,814
13,160
7,803
6,086
5,000
1,000
5,000
2,500
2,000
*1,000
28030
12,000
17,050
36,666
2,100
1,400
Grants
Friends of Parks Inc.
NHT Envirofund
29,991
NHT Rabbit Abatement
58,990
Native Veg. Fund (DEH)
4,095
Rangeland Action Project
6,045
Nature Foundation SA
2,750
7,470
WWF - TSN
3,930
11,610
3,957
3,600
1,290
3,900
4,260
3,500
5,710
Friends of Parks Directors
1,000
WCF ***
4,050
1,344
896
2,073
8,000
16,000
32,510
57,060
277,295
259,403
242,512
312,463
297,130
503,303
287,198
Rangelands INRM Group
Total Income ****
*
51,986
30,210
52,344
199,708
Royal Zoological Society of South Australia
** Fundraising now includes income from 1997 (prior to the establishment of the Friends group) and any Friends group fundraising income
including merchandise sales, interest from investments and reimbursements received.
*** Wildlife Conservation Fund
****Does not include funds carried over from previous year
Page 57
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Table 21. Annual Expenditure
Expenditure
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004 2004
prop. actual
Wages
63,824
90,107
90,490
121,817
134,701
160,150
185,000
168,272
180,500
12,868
12,855
9,254
20,139
17,208
22,020
23,001
22,020
10,629
16,241
13,607
24,046
4,672
8,000
11,425
22,320
937
3,843
3,000
858
8,500
15,326
23,487
6,000
437
32,100
20,000
8,646
18,320
10,249
2,700
9,400
Vehicle Costs
Research & Reintroductions
2,372
Fauna & Veg Monitoring
Feral Species Control
2,730
4,153
Fencing
8,103
1,992
0
0
11,278
3,560
314
Education & Awareness
1,460
338
1,440
11,572
11,664
1,000
6,669
Fundraising Costs
1,295
2,240
8,472
5,320
2,000
933
19,794
8,025
2,371
14,023
53,838
17,000
33,374
1,200
Reserve Infrastructure
General Stores
4,437
2005
prop.
Comms/Admin/Postage
1,045
122
381
595
2,673
6,273
1,440
4,044
9,270
Travel & Accommodation
1,389
4,933
4,576
8,505
14,465
14,845
8,200
6,480
20,500
Personnel Expenses
2,475
4,500
Volunteer Reimbursements
3,753
10,100
Capital
4WD Toyota Hilux
Fencing materials
38,000
8,234
59,079
4 wheel motorbike
Total Expenditure
110,000
38,000
4,137
25,000
6,000
211,120
257,291
9,081
215,441
258,995
152,329
9,600
339,614
298,660
442,545
341,430
Wages – includes all Arid Recovery staff and contractor wages plus some equipment hire costs prior to 2004.
Vehicle Costs – includes “Maintenance” (listed separately in previous reports).
Research & Reintroductions – previously listed as “Endangered Species & Research”.
Feral Species Control – includes aerial baiting trials (listed separately in previous reports).
Fencing – now includes equipment hire & electric fencing contractor costs from 1999.
Reserve Infrastructure – previously listed as “Tourism Infrastructure”.
Education & Awareness – previously listed as “Information Displays, Publicity”, includes Indigenous Group Visit cost from 2003.
Fundraising Costs –previously listed as “Fundraiser Outlays”.
General Stores – includes minor capital items and incidentals ((listed separately in previous reports).
Communications/Administration/Postage – includes bank fees and freight costs (listed separately in previous reports).
Travel & Accommodation – includes travel & conferences and volunteer travel & accommodation (listed separately in previous reports).
Personnel Expenses – new classification for 2004.
Volunteer Reimbursements –new classification for 2004.
Page 58
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Long Term Objectives and 2005 Workplan
Core tasks for 2005 required to achieve Arid Recovery aims are outlined in Appendix A.
The following long-term objectives have been formulated based on Arid Recovery aims outlined in Table 1. The
progress against the objectives is listed below including proposed 2005 outcomes.
Fencing and Fence Maintenance
Objective: Continue to exclude rabbits, cats and foxes from the Reserve through regular checking and maintenance of the
fence
2004 achieved: Maintenance Officer conducted fence check one day per week. Expansion areas were checked for
the presence of feral animals quarterly and when suspected fence breaches occurred. The fence was breached by
bilbies digging under the fence in several locations. Internal foot mesh was attached to 10km of hot spots for bilby
diggings. Money was secured to purchase internal foot mesh for attachment to the rest of the fence.
2005 proposed: Maintenance Officer to continue one day per week. Internal foot mesh is to be attached to the rest
of the fence by international student volunteers. An annual fence audit is to be conducted to outline repairs and
priorities for fence maintenance for the following year and identify future problem areas ie. signs of rust etc.
Feral Animal Control
Objective: A buffer zone of 10km around the exclosure where cats and foxes are controlled. A buffer zone of 500m around the
exclosure where rabbits are controlled.
2004 achieved: Aerial baiting for foxes was conducted in 2004 and included a 20km baited zone around the
fenceline. Monitoring of track activity of rabbits cats and foxes in baited and control areas was conducted. Hand
baiting for foxes was conducted quarterly on the western side of the Reserve, where bilbies were released outside
the Reserve. Tweleve permanent audio lures and leg hold traps were set around the Reserve perimeter and
checked daily using radio-telemetry. Spotlight counts were conducted quarterly to determine the rabbit, fox and
cat pressure on the fence. Significant rabbit control was conducted within the Red Lake expansion area.
2005 proposed: Aerial baiting for foxes and/or cats will be conducted in 2005 using the 20km radius baited zone.
Quarterly spotlight counts around the Reserve will continue to be conducted. Red Lake expansion area will have
fencing and rabbit control completed.
Monitoring
Objectives:
1) Annual monitoring of the impacts of feral and re-introduced species on the native vegetation and ecosystem function
through the use of photopoints, vegetation transects, exclosures and seedling recruitment, growth and survival studies.
2) Monitoring of condition, density and reproductive status of native and re-introduced animals through track and fixed
trapping transects, radio telemetry and opportunistic trapping.
2004 achieved: Plant and animal monitoring sites already in place and monitored annually. Regular spotlight
counts were conducted in all areas of the Reserve to compare with track counts for efficiency of monitoring
methods. Monitoring of the seed bank was conducted. Burrow and warren sites were established and monitored
and baseline data for Landscape Function Analysis was collected.
2005 proposed: Standard monitoring at all annually monitored sites will be conducted. Vegetation and small
vertebrate monitoring data from the past 8 years will be statistically analysed and a review of current monitoring
methods will be conducted.
Page 59
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Threatened Species Re-introductions
Objective: The re-introduction of locally-extinct plants and animals depending on availability, ecosystem recovery, funding
etc.
2004 achieved: Greater Bilbies released outside the Reserve. Feasibility study for numbats completed. Draft of the
translocation proposal for Woma Pythons completed. Bilbies from Thistle Island were released into the northern
expansion. Staff attended a Recovery Team meeting at Dryandra in May.
2005 proposed: Monitoring of Western Barred Bandicoots, intensive breeding of Western Barred Bandicoots in the
release pen for release into other areas of the Reserve. Continue to pursue the possibility of a second release of
Western Barred Bandicoots from WA. Trial releases of numbats and woma pythons are proposed.
Education, Tourism and Public Awareness
Objectives:
1) Develop tourism within the first expansion area.
2) Establish training and education camps at the project site.
3) Disseminate information to other conservation and industry groups to improve management of arid lands.
2004 achieved: Friends of Arid Recovery conducted 28 tours in the first expansion area, 5 papers were presented
at conferences throughout Australia, portable information display and touch table was displayed at 5 field days
and expos. A community awareness evening was held in Roxby Downs. A new publicity database was
established and regular media releases were issued. A new portable display, including a replica of the Arid
Recovery fence was made for training, open days and expos.
2005 proposed:
 2-3 scientific papers on the project will be presented at conferences throughout Australia. Four papers to
be published in peer reviewed Scientific Journals.
 Continue Friends group tours.
 Field day for fence design at Red Lake expansion area.
 Creation of interpretive area for Red Lake expansion area.
 Host indigenous training camp with Aboriginal Lands Trust.
 2 International Student Volunteer groups.
 2 Earthwatch expeditions.
 1 University of Adelaide student group.
 2 Arid Recovery Scholarship students.
Maintain and Manage Reintroduced Populations.
Objective: Maintain populations within the Reserve.
2004 achieved: research continued into indicators of carrying capacity.
2005 proposed: Removal of perennial vegetation growing on the fenceline. Continue research into the indicators
of carrying capacity and monitoring methods. Trial release of woma pythons as a natural predator. One way
gates for dispersal outside of the Reserve will be developed and trialled.
Page 60
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Research
Objective: Coordinate research on the restoration of ecological processes and use results for adaptive management of the
project.
2004 achieved: Two research students conducted scholarship projects at the Reserve. One honours student
completed a project at the Reserve. In addition 3 new Arid Recovery research projects were started in 2004. Four
scientific papers were published, one was submitted for publication and two Earthwatch trips were conducted.
2005 proposed: At least three papers will be submitted for publication. Research students from the University of
Adelaide will conduct a project in September. At least two research scholarship students and 2 Earthwatch
groups will complete studies at the Reserve. New research projects in 2005 to include the following:
 A trial reintroduction of Woma Pythons
 Training bilbies
 A trial reintroduction of Numbats
 Design of a one way gate system
And work will continue on established research projects that are not part of standard monitoring.
Continue and Expand the Restoration Process
Objectives:
1) Reintroduce two more species into the Reserve by 2008 belonging to different feeding guilds than those already present
2) Expand the Reserve
3) Apply restoration principles and methods beyond the Reserve.
2004 achieved: Started Red Lake expansion fence and rabbit eradication. Conducted a trial release of bilbies
outside the Reserve.
2005 proposed: Trial release of woma pythons. Complete fencing and rabbit eradication in Red Lake expansion.
Carry out research into training bilbies to avoid predators.
Page 61
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Task
P
Re-introductions
Numbat TP and reintro
1
more WBBs
1
Womas
1
Bilbies outside -trial monitoring
1
Set interim population limit
2
Native Flora and Fauna Monitoring
Stick-nest rat trapping
1
WBB monitoring
1
seedling monitoring sites
3
standard plant sites
1
Annual pitfalls
1
Annual cage trapping
1
oppportunistic birds
1
Annual Veg and pitfall data analysis
1
Review and assess current monitoring program
2
veg mapping
1
track transects
1
survey nth exp
2
Feral Monitoring
weed monitoring
1
check exclosures for rabbits and cats
1
aerial baiting monitoring
spotlight transect around exclosure
1
Feral Animal Control
red lake rabbit eradication
1
aerial baiting program
1
opp. buffer feral animal control
1
bait stations vs cat traps
2
Reporting
Annual report
1
Annual research report WMC
1
student/research project reports
collate AR research reports
report to steering committee
1
Earthwatch report
monthly reports
Grants
grant management
1
WCF Temperature grant summer/winter
1
investigate predator prey grant/partnership
3
Comparison of monitoring methods grant
1
Page 62
daily
weekly
fortnightly
month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Appendix A: 2005 Workplan
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Task
P
daily
weekly
fortnightly
month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Appendix A continued. 2005 Workplan
Infrastructure
red lake fencing
1
clearing fenceline-firebreak
2
freezer
1
internal footmesh
red lake displays
new displays viewing platform
2
office in shed
2
plumb rainwater to kitchen
2
pathways to bathroom
2
Research projects
outside bilbies
1
one way gates
bilby training
1
frog project
2
cf monitoring methods
1
sleepy lizards
1
Other
WMC Vac student
1
Project promotion unis etc
3
Administration
Ordering and quotes
1
Paying bills
1
Filing
1
Update volunteer hours database
1
Update publicity/visits database
1
photodatabase
1
update refworks
1
pays-pay sheet fortnightly, invoice monthly
1
Income/expenditure entered on MYOB
1
update procedures manual
1
stock take of merchandise
2
update Pink Vol. Forms and Scientific permits
1
Routine activities
Perimeter fence check
1
internal fence check
1
rainfall
1
charging
1
Electric fence check
1
Cat traps-check
1
Cat traps- reset
1
Cat trap efficiency (faps)
1
Vehicle check
1
vehicle forms and servicing
1
Battery checks
1
Plants in fence
2
feed at hide 2x per week
1
Equipment maintenance
1
Page 63
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Task
P
daily
weekly
fortnightly
month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Appendix A continued. 2005 Workplan
OH&S
check fire extinguishers/first aid kits
1
update induction document
1
safety audit
1
check main gate emergency procedure
1
Education/awareness
tour training
2
Open Day
1
visits
1
magazine articles
1
update webpage
1
media releases
1
investigate hosting conference I
2
indigenous visit with ALT
1
red lake interp
1
red lake field day
1
National Parks Forum
1
As Required
Friends Group
Newsletters
2
Meetings
2
membership list
1
audit friends group accounts
1
group visits
Adelaide Uni research group
2
earthwatch
1
Pt Augusta Tafe
1
international student vols
1
school camp/visits
2
As Required
Scientific papers
Fence design
1
reintroduction methods
seedling project
2
vertebrate and veg monitoring
burrows
rabbits
Diet paper-bilby/bettong
1
Cat baiting
1
training and development
gun course
1
chemcert
1
stats course
1
Page 64
As Required
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Appendix B: Tables
Table 1. Arid Recovery project actions and their progress. Phase 1 is pre 2003 and Phase 2 is post 2003. .................. 2
Table 2. Number of cats, foxes and rabbits caught in traps set around the Arid Recovery Reserve in each year and
trap success rate for each species. ................................................................................................................................ 10
Table 3. Population estimates as of Dec 2004 and transfers to date within the Reserve. ............................................. 16
Table 4. Trap success of re-introduced species in the main exclosure during annual cage trapping (n=84). ............ 18
Table 5. Trap success of re-introduced species in the first expansion during annual cage trapping (n=29). ............ 18
Table 6. Greater Stick-nest Rat releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve. ................................ 21
Table 7. Burrowing Bettong releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve...................................... 22
Table 8. Greater Bilby releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve. ............................................... 23
Table 9. Western Barred Bandicoot releases and translocations within the Arid Recovery Reserve. ........................ 25
Table 10. Trap success for hopping mice at increasing distances from the Arid Recovery Reserve. ......................... 29
Table 11. Numbers of prey species recorded within pellets collected from four sites inside with Arid Recovery
Reserve during 2002 (n=number of pellets examined). ............................................................................................. 32
Table 12. Monitoring conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve. Numbers in bold indicate sites monitored in 2004.38
Table 13. Radio-tracking conducted at Arid Recovery during 2004 ............................................................................... 39
Table 14. Known items of publicity generated by Arid Recovery in 2004 ..................................................................... 45
Table 15. Education and Awareness initiatives generated by the project during 2004 and to date (from 1998). ..... 48
Table 16. Grants applied for and monies received/secured by the Friends Group during 2004. ................................ 52
Table 17. Awards received by Arid Recovery to date. ..................................................................................................... 53
Table 18. Arid Recovery Contributions and Expenditure during 2004. ......................................................................... 55
Table 19. Annual In-Kind Contributions ............................................................................................................................ 56
Table 20. Annual Financial Contributions.......................................................................................................................... 57
Table 21. Annual Expenditure ............................................................................................................................................. 58
Page 65
Arid Recovery 2004 Annual Report
Appendix C: Figures
Figure 1. The 60 km2 Arid Recovery Reserve showing the original exclosure and all expansion stages. All land
between the old Dog Fence and the mine lease fence is situated on Roxby Downs Station leased by WMC
Resources. The old Dog Fence (red line) has been realigned along the northern boundary of the project. The
light blue line represents the boundary of the 26km2 Red Lake expansion to be completed in 2005. .................. 7
Figure 2. Rabbit density (no per km2) at Roxby Downs showing decline after the arrival of RCD in 1996. Data
courtesy of WMC Environment Section, long term monitoring data from quarterly counts. ............................... 9
Figure 3. Rabbit density (no per km2) spotlight counts conducted by WMC staff since the arrival of RCD in 1996.
Shown at a lower scale than Figure 2 to illustrate post RCD changes in rabbit density. Data courtesy of WMC
Environment Section, long term monitoring data from quarterly counts. ............................................................... 9
Figure 4. Trap success for each month of 2004 in cat and fox traps around the Arid Recovery Reserve. There are 12
traps set permanently around the Reserve. ................................................................................................................ 10
Figure 5. The average number of 200m long segments containing cat tracks for 5 control and 5 baited transects
(unless otherwise specified by number in brackets). Bars denote one standard error. ........................................ 11
Figure 6. The average number of 200m long segments containing fox tracks for 5 control and 5 baited transects
(unless otherwise specified by number in brackets). Bars denote one standard error. ........................................ 11
Figure 7. Annual rainfall recorded in the Roxby Downs region. Rainfall was recorded at the Olympic Dam Mine
situated 5km from the Reserve in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and from a rain gauge established at the Reserve from
2000 onwards. Average annual rainfall is 160mm and is represented by a dotted line. ...................................... 12
Figure 8. Number of Kerosene Grass plants recorded along Jessup transects inside and outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 9 The number of sites with mulga seedlings in 2000 and 2003 for each treatment. Control sites are inside
the second expansion of the Reserve where there are no cattle, rabbits or reintroduced species. Number of
sites is expressed as a probability of more than one seedling per site. ................................................................... 14
Figure 10. Number of tracks per kilometre of the four re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is
burrowing bettong, GB is greater bilby and WBB is western barred bandicoot) within the 14km2 main
exclosure of the Reserve. Total distance of walking transect is approximately 10km. ......................................... 17
Figure 11. Number of tracks per kilometre of re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is burrowing bettong
and GB is greater bilby) within the 8km2 first expansion. Total distance of walking transect is approximately
5.5km. The gate between the first and northern expansion was opened in July 2003 to allow animals to
naturally disperse into the northern expansion. ........................................................................................................ 17
Figure 12. Number of tracks per kilometre of the four re-introduced species (SNR is stick-nest rat, BB is
burrowing bettong and GB is greater bilby) within the 30km2 northern expansion. Total distance of transects
driven by quad bike is approximately 16km.............................................................................................................. 18
Figure 13. Number of reintroduced species seen per km spotlighting within the 14km2 main exclosure. Total
distance of the driven transect is 26km. ..................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 14. Number of reintroduced species seen per km spotlighting within the 30km2 northern expansion. Total
distance of the driven transect is 16.5km. .................................................................................................................. 19
Figure 15. Total number of Greater Stick-nest Rat captures and number of nests showing activity (total number of
nests is 20) in 2003 and 2004 monitoring. ................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 16. Distribution of Western Barred Bandicoot tracks in the main exclosure of the Arid Recovery Reserve in
2003 and 2004. ................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Figure 17. The number of male and female bilbies alive from 0-31 days after release outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve (does not include bilby assumed to have had transmitter failure after release). .................................... 28
Figure 18. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Bilby burrows in response to changes in ambient air
temperature. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104) ............................................................................ 30
Figure 19. Change in temperature recorded inside a Burrowing Bettong warren in response to changes in ambient
air temperature All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104) ....................................................................... 31
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Figure 20. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Stick-nest Rat nests in response to changes in ambient
air temperature. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. ( n=1104) ....................................................................... 31
Figure 21. Change in temperature recorded inside Greater Stick-nest Rat burrows in response to changes in
ambient air temperature. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius.( n=1104) ........................................................ 31
Figure 22. Termite availability in three different habitats sampled in the main exclosure of the Arid Recovery
Reserve. Habitats were mulga woodland in the open ground (mulga- open) and mulga woodland with fallen
timber (mulga – log), and chenopod dominated swales. .......................................................................................... 33
Figure 23. Termite availability in three different habitats sampled in the second expansion of the Arid Recovery
Reserve. Habitats were mulga woodland in the open ground (mulga- open), mulga woodland with fallen
timber (mulga–log), and chenopod dominated swales. ............................................................................................ 33
Figure 24. Total carbon (%), nitrogen (%) and sulphur(%) in relation to landscape and microsite. The 5% LSD bars
for landscape (L) and microsite (M) are shown. Different letters between landscapes or position of soil
sample (surface, adjacent or pit) indicate a significant difference at P=0.05. .......................................................... 34
Figure 25. The average number of seeds per m2 (± s.e.) collected at each site in the dune vegetation in April 2004.35
Figure 26. The Arid Recovery Reserve and surrounding land use, showing the treatments available for
comparative research. .................................................................................................................................................... 37
Figure 27. Average number of native mammal captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control
area (n=7) of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error. ................................................................. 41
Figure 28. Average number of house mice captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control area
(n=7) of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error........................................................................... 41
Figure 29. Average number of reptile captures per site inside (n=12), outside (n=11) and in the control area (n=7)
of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate standard error. ................................................................................... 41
Figure 30. Stability indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve. Inside sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve
with no reintroduced species present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at
each location varies according to habitat (swale, n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4;
mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1). .............................................................................................................. 42
Figure 31. Infiltration indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve. Inside sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve
with no reintroduced species present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at
each location varies according to habitat (swale, n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4;
mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1). .............................................................................................................. 43
Figure 32. Nutrient indices for swale, dune and mulga habitats at sites inside and outside the Arid Recovery
Reserve. Inside sites are those with reintroduced species present, control sites are those inside the Reserve
with no reintroduced species present and outside are those outside of the Reserve. The number of sites at
each location varies according to habitat (swale, n=4 all locations; dune, inside n=5, control n=4, outside n=4;
mulga, inside n=2, control n=2 outside n=1). .............................................................................................................. 43
Figure 33. Visitors to the Arid Recovery website each month since tracking began in June 2003. ............................. 44
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