Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project

Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
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australian
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife
Restoration Project
wildlife
co ns er v a n c y
Saving nine of Australia’s threatened mammals
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Executive summary
Australia has the worst mammal extinction record in the
world: 22 species have become extinct in the last 200 years.
• A further 65 mammal species – 23% of our surviving
mammal species – are threatened with extinction.
• Populations of Australia’s threatened mammal species continue to decline as a result of feral animals –
particularly cats and foxes – and habitat loss.
For example, the Woylie population has declined by
90% in the last decade.
The Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
is set to play a critical role in reversing this tide of
extinctions.
• Australian Wildlife Conservancy will establish the
largest fox and cat-free area (6,000 hectares) on
mainland Western Australia.
• Over 40 kilometres of feral-proof fence will surround
6,000 hectares of pristine woodlands in the heart of the
Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Within this feral-free area, AWC will reintroduce nine
of Australia’s most endangered mammal species.
The Project will deliver a substantial increase in the world
population of these nine threatened mammals by 2018:
• Woylie
• Bilby
• Red-tailed Phascogale
• Banded Hare-wallaby
• Numbat
• Shark Bay Mouse
• Greater Stick-nest Rat
• Western Barred Bandicoot
• Chuditch
Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong)
W.Lawler
AWC has a proven track record in establishing feral
predator-free areas and restoring wildlife populations.
We manage more fox and cat-free land on mainland
Australia than any other organisation, have conducted
over 60 translocations of threatened mammals and protect
some of the largest remaining populations of key species
such as Bilbies and Burrowing Bettongs.
The cost of the Mt Gibson Project is $5.3 million over the
next five years. Given its extraordinary ecological returns,
we believe Mt Gibson represents the most cost-effective
threatened species project in Australia.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Western Barred Bandicoot
Cover: Numbat
W.Lawler
Please make a tax deductible gift to help save nine
of Australia’s most endangered mammals from
extinction.
G.Barnett
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
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Australia’s mammal extinction crisis
Australia is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the
planet: in fact, it has more biodiversity than any other developed
nation in the world.
Many of Australia’s native animal and plant species are unique –
87% of our mammal species, 93% of our reptiles, 94% of our
frogs and 45% of our bird species are found only in Australia.
However, Australia’s record of protecting its remarkable fauna
and flora is poor.
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate
in the world. Twenty-two mammals have become
extinct in the last 200 years. Around half of the
world’s mammal extinctions in this period have
occurred in Australia.
Our biodiversity is in serious decline. Over 1,700 species of
plants and animals are listed by the Australian Government as
at risk of extinction. Our mammal fauna is disproportionately
represented on this list: 65 mammal species, representing 23%
of our surviving 284 terrestrial mammal species, are identified as
threatened.
One in four Australian mammal species is threatened
with extinction.
The mammal extinction crisis in Australia has been focused
on the central and southern parts of the continent in areas of
low-moderate rainfall: all but one of our mainland mammal
extinctions to date have occurred in this zone. A large proportion
of our surviving arid and semi-arid zone mammal species have
suffered massive range contractions and a catastrophic drop
in population size. Put simply, if you are a small-medium sized
mammal in the arid or semi-arid zones, it is likely you are either
extinct or on the threatened species list.
The factors that have propelled this extinction crisis have been
feral predators (foxes, cats), competition with feral herbivores
(e.g. rabbits, goats, sheep and cattle) and the destruction of
habitat including vegetation clearance.
Feral cats kill an estimated 75 million native animals
across Australia every night.
Reversing the wave of mammal extinctions in the south and
centre of the continent will require effective management of
these threats, especially feral cats and foxes.
Thylacine
P. Schouten
Feral cat
M.Davis
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
A global epicentre for mammal extinctions
‘The decline of our mammal fauna is so widespread and so severe that many of our national
parks in central and southern Australia are now marsupial ghost towns.’
Professor Tim Flannery
The mammal extinction crisis has been focused in the south
and centre of the continent. The impact in the wheatbelt and
adjacent arid zone in southwestern Australia has been especially
severe. This region – which includes Mt Gibson – has lost around
half of its original mammal fauna, which is as high a rate of
attrition as anywhere on the Australian continent.
The wheatbelt and adjacent area in southwestern
Australia is one of the global epicentres for mammal
extinctions. There are few areas on the planet that
have lost such a high proportion of their original
mammal fauna.
To illustrate the rate of faunal attrition in the region, we have
taken a ‘look back in time’ to piece together a picture of the
original mammal community at Mt Gibson. An extensive search
was carried out for sub-fossil remains (bones, regurgitated owl
pellets, etc) in caves, hollow trees and from the ground surface.
The results of this survey, plus knowledge of the historical
distributions and habitat preferences of Australian mammals,
indicate that Mt Gibson was once home to an assemblage of at
least 36 non-volant mammal species (i.e. excluding bats). Sadly,
however, 16 of those mammal species have disappeared from
Mt Gibson and the adjacent wheatbelt region.
Lesser Stick-nest Rat
P.Schouten
• Some species which once frequented Mt Gibson are gone
forever ... the Crescent Nailtail Wallaby, the Pig-footed
Bandicoot and the Lesser Stick-nest Rat are now extinct and
can never be reintroduced.
• However, some of the mammal species that have
disappeared from the Mt Gibson region cling to survival
in remnant populations elsewhere, including on offshore
islands. It is these species which we intend to return to
Mt Gibson.
A list of mammals that have disappeared from the Mt Gibson
region is set out in Table 1.
Lesser Stick-nest Rat remains – recovered from a cave on Mt Gibson
– provide a poignant reminder of life before feral cats and foxes
(Scale division = 1mm) G.Deacon
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Table 1: Mammal species that have disappeared from the Mt Gibson region since European settlement.
Species Name
National Status
Regional Status*
MT GIBSON
MACROPODS (kangaroos and potoroos)
Onychogalea lunata
Cresent Nailtail Wallaby
Extinct
Extinct
Previously Present
Potorous platyops
Broad-faced Potoroo
Extinct
Extinct
Likely Previously Present
Bettongia penicillata
Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong)
Endangered
Extinct
Previously Present
Bettongia lesueur
Vulnerable
Boodie (Burrowing Bettong)
Extinct
Previously Present
Lagostrophus fasciatus
Vulnerable
Banded Hare-wallaby
Extinct
Previously Present
Petrogale lateralis
Black-flanked Rock-wallaby
Vulnerable
Extinct
Previously Present
Chaeropus ecaudatus
Pig-footed Bandicoot
Extinct
Extinct
Previously Present
Perameles bougainville
Western Barred Bandicoot
Endangered
Extinct
Previously Present
Macrotis lagotis
Greater Bilby
Vulnerable
Extinct
Likely Previously Present
Phascogale calura
Red-tailed Phascogale
Endangered
Extinct
Previously Present
Myrmecobius fasciatus
Numbat
Vulnerable
Extinct
Likely Previously Present
Dasyurus geoffroii
Chuditch (Western Quoll)
Vulnerable
Extinct#
Present (one record)
Dasycercus cristicauda
Crest-tailed Mulgara
Vulnerable
Extinct
Likely Previously Present
Extinct
Previously Present
BANDICOOTS AND BILBIES
CARNIVOROUS MARSUPIALS
NATIVE RODENTS
Leporillus apicalis
Lesser Stick-nest Rat
Extinct
Leporillus conditor
Vulnerable
Extinct
Greater Stick-nest Rat Pseudomys fieldi
Vulnerable
Extinct
Shark Bay Mouse
Likely Previously Present (breeding population
at Mt Gibson reintroduced to a 5ha enclosure)
Previously Present
POSSUMS
Trichosurus vulpecula
Common Brushtail Possum
Not Listed
Extinct
Previously Present
* Source: Burbidge et al. (2009) # Burbidge et al. (2009) lists Chuditch as extinct in the area but there has been one record on Mt Gibson.
Status on Mt Gibson is based on both contemporary confirmed records (present) and sub-fossil records (previously present). Regionallyextinct species that have not been confirmed by sub-fossil survey, but which were probably present on Mt Gibson in recent times (based
on knowledge of their previous distribution and habitat preferences) are noted as ‘Likely Previously Present’. Other species that may
have previously occurred on Mt Gibson include: Long-tailed Hopping-mouse, Mala, Pale Field Rat, Quenda, Brush-tailed Phascogale and
Tammar Wallaby.
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
The Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project:
a catalyst for reversing the tide of extinctions
Existing strategies in Australia are sadly failing to halt the decline
in mammal populations, even in our national parks. Unless
urgent action is taken, a suite of additional mammal species will
become extinct.
For example:
• The Woylie population has declined by 90% in the last
decade (Wayne 2012, in review).
• The largest Numbat population in Western Australia
(Dryandra nature reserve) has declined substantially as a
result of cat predation (Numbat Recovery Team, pers comm).
It is clear that a major initiative is urgently required to save our
declining mammals and provide a catalyst for additional efforts
to restore populations across the south-west.
Mt Gibson will be home to around 600 Bilbies
W.Lawler
The Mt Gibson Wildlife Restoration Project involves
establishing the largest feral-predator free area on
mainland Western Australia. A feral-proof fence
(43 kilometres) will be constructed around 6,000
hectares of high conservation value woodlands.
After the complete removal of feral animals,
10 threatened and declining species will be reintroduced.
The Mt Gibson Project represents the most ambitious threatened
mammal restoration site in Australia. No other project has
increased the populations of 10 threatened and declining
mammals. It will demonstrate, at the epicentre of the mammal
extinction crisis, that our mammal fauna can be restored.
Feral-proof fence to protect breeding population of Stick-nest Rats at
Mt Gibson W.Lawler
There are 65 nationally threatened mammal species
in Australia. The Mt Gibson Project will provide a
more secure future for 14% of these species. It is a
critical investment in addressing the extinction crisis
and protecting the nation’s natural capital.
By engaging other stakeholders and the community, we expect
the Mt Gibson Project to have a dramatic catalytic effect
on biodiversity restoration strategies in WA and nationally.
The catalytic nature of the project will be expressed through
collaboration with a range of stakeholders in relation to the
science and public education components of the project
including the Dalwallinu Shire Council, Perth Zoo, community
groups such as the Malleefowl Preservation Group and the
WA Naturalists Club, universities, schools and the WA Museum.
Churchlands Primary School is supporting the Mt Gibson Project
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Objectives of the Mt Gibson Project
Objective 1
(a) To deliver a substantial increase in the population of at
least 10 threatened/declining species by 31 December 2018.
(b)To deliver a measurable increase in the overall
ecological health of Mt Gibson.
Specific targets for each mammal species proposed to be
reintroduced are set out below (Table 2).
Key indicators of success – we will measure and report annually on:
• The population of each reintroduced mammal species.
• Increases in the ecological health of the extant fauna such
as key bird species (e.g. Malleefowl) and reptile species
(e.g. Western Spiny-tailed Skink).
• The restoration of ecological processes.
Western Barred Bandicoot W.Lawler
Table 2: Mt Gibson will deliver a substantial increase in the global population of key species.
Species Name National Status
Approx Global Approx Target
Population Size (including Mt Gibson other AWC sanctuaries)
Percentage Increase In Global Population
Bettongia penicillataEndangered
Woylie
10,000
400
4%
Lagostrophus fasciatusVulnerable
Banded Hare-wallaby
8,000
900
11%
Leporillus conditorVulnerable
Greater Stick-nest Rat
3,000
1,200
40%
Macrotis lagotisVulnerable 10,000
Bilby
600
6%
Myrmecobius fasciatusVulnerable
Numbat
750
250
33%
Perameles bougainvilleEndangered
Western Barred Bandicoot
5,000
1,000
20%
Phascogale caluraEndangered 3,000
Red-tailed Phascogale
400
13%
Pseudomys fieldiVulnerable 6,000
Shark Bay Mouse
2,000
33%
Dasyurus geoffroiiVulnerable
Chuditch
8,000
100
1%
Trichosurus vulpecula
Common Brushtail Possum
>10,000
300
< 1%
Declining
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Objectives of the Mt Gibson Project cont
Objective 2
Objective 3
To generate scientific knowledge that will assist other land
owners and decision-makers (government and private) in
the management and restoration of natural capital.
To raise public awareness about the loss of Australia’s
mammal fauna.
Key indicators of success – we will measure and report annually
on:
• The number of collaborations with universities and
other research and/or management agencies such as the
Malleefowl Preservation Group and the WA Naturalists Club.
• The number of student research projects.
• The number of publications (peer-reviewed and ‘soft’).
The visitor program at Mt Gibson will build on existing AWC programs
(e.g. Karakamia)
David Wenham and Hugo Weaving with AWC scientists Gina Barnett and Bryony Palmer during filming for a Tim Winton novel at Mt Gibson
Woylie
W.Lawler
Camera traps are an important tool for our science team (here capturing
a Chuditch at Paruna)
Key indicators of success – we will measure and report on:
• The level of engagement through websites and the media.
• The level of visitation at Mt Gibson.
• The number and quality of other engagement projects
including through Perth Zoo, school groups and other.
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Implementation:
milestones and strategies
StrategyTimetable
Select the species to be reintroduced
Completed
• 10 species have been selected
Select the area to be fenced
Completed
• 6,000 hectares will be fenced
Build the feral-proof fence
July 2013 – February 2014
• The length of the fence will be 43 kilometres
Remove all feral animals from the 6,000 hectare project area February 2014 – February 2015
Reintroduce threatened mammals
April 2015 – October 2017
• 4 species released by Dec 2015
• 7 species by Oct 2016
• 10 species by Oct 2017
Measure success
Ongoing: biological surveys conducted and an ecological health report published annually.
• Initial annual report published by April 2014
Undertake scientific research program
Ongoing
• Research Station open by May 2014
Implement community engagement and public awareness program
Ongoing
• Campground open in July 2014
• Guided nocturnal walks to commence in September 2015
Mt Gibson Project timeline
2013
2014
July 2014:
Campground
Feb 2014:
opens
Fence construction
concludes
Begin removal of all
feral animals (goats,
foxes, cats)
October 2016:
Milestone:
7 species
released
April 2015:
First
reintroductions
2015
December 2015:
Milestone:
4 species released
February 2015:
Feral animal
control concludes
2016
2017
October 2017:
Milestone:
10 species
released
W.Lawler
May 2014:
Research
Station opens
Greater Stick-nest Rat
July 2013:
Construction
of 43km of
feral-proof
fence begins
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
The need for a feral-proof fence
Feral animals have been a primary cause of the disappearance of
mammals in the wheatbelt region. Accordingly, our operational
strategy at Mt Gibson must ensure reintroduced mammals are
not exposed to significant predation from foxes and cats or
competition from feral herbivores such as rabbits and goats.
A critical threshold issue – which fundamentally shapes the
operational design of our Mt Gibson Project – has been
consideration of the need for a feral-proof fence. In short – is a
feral-proof fence required or would a sustained baiting program
be sufficient?
Most reintroductions to unfenced locations across Australia
have failed. In a review examining the success of vertebrate
translocations within Australia, Short (2009) highlighted
that around half of all mammal translocations into unfenced
mainland sites were unsuccessful. Up to 80% of these failures
were attributed to predation by feral cats and foxes. Dickman
(2012) also advocates the use of ‘conservation fences’ as an
effective means of conserving species at risk from introduced
predators and states that these fenced areas ‘buy us time’ to
develop new protocols for the effective, long term control of
these predators throughout the broader landscape.
A mammal reintroduction program at Mt Gibson
requires the establishment of a feral predator-free
fenced area.
AWC has invested substantial time and resources considering
whether it is possible to adequately suppress the impact of feral
animals at Mt Gibson in the absence of a feral-proof fence.
In particular, we considered whether it is possible to design a
baiting regime that will suppress cat and fox numbers sufficiently
to allow reintroduced mammals to survive.
For three years, we worked with the WA Department
of Environment and Conservation and the Invasive
Animals Cooperative Research Centre to trial a
program of integrated feral predator control over
the property. Foxes and feral cats were targeted
with an aerial baiting program that deployed about
70,000 ‘Eradicat’ sausage baits each year.
This control program was matched with extensive and regular
track monitoring for feral predators and biannual trapping
surveys for native fauna.
The track surveys indicated that fox numbers were suppressed
as a result of this baiting, at least for part of the year. However,
the suppression was more muted than hoped, and the fox
populations recovered within three months of baiting. The
impacts of baiting on feral cats were unclear. This was reflected
in the results of native fauna surveys, which failed to reveal a
convincing recovery of the mammals and reptiles which currently
survive at Mt Gibson.
While broad-scale baiting may in future play a role
in the protection of fauna at Mt Gibson, it will
not offer the level of protection that we require
for newly reintroduced mammals that are highly
vulnerable to cats and foxes.
The creation of a large feral-free area, surrounded by a specially
designed fence, has been implemented successfully by AWC
at places like Scotia and Karakamia, where we are delivering
effective conservation for species like the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby,
the Woylie and the Boodie. Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary contains
the largest feral predator-free area on mainland Australia.
At Faure Island, we worked with DEC to eradicate feral animals
before reintroducing several threatened mammal species (an
island works like a fenced area).
AWC is a leader in the creation of feral predator-free areas
and the restoration of endangered wildlife populations.
• AWC manages more cat and fox-free land on
mainland Australia than any other government or
private organisation.
• AWC has carried out translocations of 18 threatened
or declining species (over 2,200 individual animals).
• AWC now protects a high proportion of the remaining
population of many of Australia’s most threatened
mammal species including:
– 80% of the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby population;
– 33% of the Numbat population; and
– 20% of the Bilby population.
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
The feral-proof fence at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary
W.Lawler
Feral cat caught on camera trap outside an AWC feral-proof fence
AWC manages more fox and cat-free land on mainland Australia than
any other organisation
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
STEP 1: Selecting the species to be reintroduced
STEP 2: Selecting the area to be fenced
Timeframe: completed
Timeframe: completed
Sixteen mammal species have disappeared from Mt Gibson
and the surrounding wheatbelt region. Four of these species
are extinct, while the remainder survive only in remnant
populations elsewhere (e.g. offshore islands). AWC plans to
initially reintroduce 10 species at Mt Gibson: nine threatened
species and one species (the Brushtail Possum) that has declined
significantly in the south-west region (see Table 2 on page 7).
We have selected a 6,000 hectare area of Mt Gibson
that encloses the highest density of good quality
habitat for the candidate species.
A rigorous scientific process was used to select the
species for reintroduction based on criteria such as
conservation status, the area of suitable habitat
on Mt Gibson, the level of competitive interaction
between species, the availability of source
populations and the contribution that Mt Gibson
could make to the survival of the species.
In other words, we have identified the area of Mt Gibson which
will maximise the ‘carrying capacity’ for our candidate species.
This ground-breaking process involved:
• The production of detailed habitat maps using aerial
photography and ground-truthing to describe key habitat
attributes (floristics, structure, ground-cover etc).
• The identification of critical habitat requirements for each
candidate species and mapping where these requirements
occurred at the highest quality.
• Overlaying the ‘habitat quality’ maps for each species to find
the area with the highest cumulative habitat quality score.
The area to be fenced is identified in the map on this page.
In addition to providing the best habitat for the species to be
reintroduced, this area has good existing access tracks, is within
10 kilometres of the major infrastructure at Mt Gibson and is
positioned to avoid both highly saline and rocky areas.
AWC staff trapping feral predators
Selecting the area to be fenced involved a detailed scientific process
AWC cat-detection dog Sally
W.Lawler
W.Lawler
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
STEP 3: Constructing the fence
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STEP 4: Removal of all feral animals to create the largest
feral-free area on the Western Australian mainland
Timeframe: July 2013 – February 2014 (subject to funding)
Timeframe: February 2014 – February 2015
Subject only to funding, construction of the feral proof fence is
due to commence in July 2013 and will take approximately
6-7 months.
The fence design is based on our assessment of existing fences
at AWC’s Scotia (pictured below), Yookamurra and Karakamia
sanctuaries as well as independent research conducted on the
effectiveness of various feral-proof fence designs.
The length of the feral-proof fence will be over 43 kilometres.
It will be 6 feet high with a skirt, an overhang and three electric
wires. To illustrate the scale of this construction task, the fence
will require:
• 86 strainer post assemblies;
• 4,320 intermediate posts;
• 60 tonnes of rubble for the skirts; and
• 216 kilometres of plain wire for fence support.
Establishment of fire-breaks will be integrated with the
construction of the fence.
The eradication of all feral herbivores and feral predators across
6,000 hectares will take an estimated 12 months.
Upon completion of the program, this 6,000 hectare
section of Mt Gibson will be the largest feral-free
area on mainland Western Australia. The only larger
feral-free area on the Australian mainland will be at
AWC’s Scotia Sanctuary in NSW.
An integrated approach to feral animal control will be required:
for example, reducing the number of rabbits will increase the
effectiveness of measures targeting foxes and cats (because they
have less to eat and will more readily take baits).
The feral herbivores that must be removed are rabbits and goats.
• Goats will be targeted by trapping around limited
waterpoints. Any goats that cannot be trapped will be shot.
• Rabbits will be removed by a combination of baiting and
shooting.
The feral predators to be removed are cats and foxes.
A combination of trapping, baiting and shooting will be used.
Feral cats are much more difficult to eradicate than foxes: cats
will not readily take bait, are wary of traps and are so elusive
that shooting is often ineffective.
AWC has a secret weapon: we have pioneered
the use of feral cat detector dogs which will be
deployed to locate feral cats within the Mt Gibson
fenced area. This will reduce the time required for
complete eradication.
This fence at Scotia is a model for the Mt Gibson design
M.Graetz
An important final step in the feral animal control program
is the implementation of a rigorous monitoring program to
confirm that all feral animals have been removed. Central to this
monitoring program will be regular transects checking for tracks
and scats. Our feral cat detector dogs will also play an important
role in this final stage of the feral animal control process.
We will also implement an integrated feral animal control
program – including baiting – in areas of Mt Gibson outside
the fenced area. This will reduce the risk of incursions into the
fenced area.
European red fox
G.Tate
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Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
STEP 5: The return of threatened mammals to Mt Gibson
Table 3: Draft criteria for determining the success of Greater
Stick-nest Rat (GSNR) translocation to Mt Gibson.
Timeframe: April 2015 – October 2017
CriteriaTimeframe
The process of reintroducing 10 mammal species to Mt Gibson
will take approximately three years, commencing in April 2015.
The first translocation will be timed to occur as soon as possible
after the declaration of the fenced area as ‘feral-free’.
This will be the first project in Australia to involve
the reintroduction of 10 threatened and declining
mammal species. As such, the Mt Gibson Project will
represent an historic step in turning back the tide of
mammal extinctions in Australia.
The first four species to be introduced will be:
•Numbat
• Greater Stick-nest Rat
•Woylie
• Shark Bay Mouse.
These four species will be reintroduced by December 2015.
A further three species (Bilby, Banded Hare-wallaby and Western
Barred Bandicoot) will be reintroduced by October 2016, with
the final three species reintroduced by October 2017 (Red-tailed
Phascogale, Chuditch and Common Brushtail Possum).
Prior to each reintroduction to Mt Gibson, AWC will prepare a
detailed Translocation Proposal addressing issues such as:
• The source populations and the number of individuals to
be translocated.
• Key logistics including animal housing and transport.
• Release site locations (relevant vegetation types etc).
• Release and monitoring protocols.
• Criteria for measuring success.
The success of each reintroduction to Mt Gibson will be
evaluated by intensive post-release monitoring using a variety
of techniques including tracking, trapping, spotlighting and the
use of sandplots and infrared cameras. The criteria for success
(see, for example, Table 3) will be detailed in the Translocation
Protocols.
Banded Hare-wallaby
Jiri Lochman/Lochman Transparencies
More than 50% of founder GSNRs surviving
One month following release.
Of the surviving GSNRs, the majority have lost Three months
less than 30% of pre-release body weight.
following release.
More than 30% of founder GSNRs surviving
Six months following release.
More than 30% of the F1 generation surviving Nine months post-
to independence
release.
More than 30% of F1 generation reaching sexual maturity
Fifteen months postrelease.
F2 generation >5% of population
Two years post-release.
Importantly, the reintroduction of mammals at
Mt Gibson will be part of an integrated national
approach to the conservation and recovery of each
species: for example, the Mt Gibson Project will help
give effect to the Recovery Plans developed for each
species under Federal legislation.
These Recovery Plans emphasise the need to:
• Increase the overall population and the number of populations
of each species.
• Establish new self-sustaining populations within their former
range via translocations/reintroductions.
Furthermore, the Mt Gibson Project will be an important source
population for the establishment or restocking of populations
elsewhere in Australia.
Within AWC, each species at Mt Gibson will be managed as
part of a larger meta-population across all of our sanctuaries
(for example, our Woylie population will be managed across
Karakamia, Scotia, Yookamurra and Mt Gibson). This will ensure
appropriate genetic management.
Greater Stick-nest Rats arrive at Mt Gibson to form a
breeding population R.Ellis
Greater Stick-nest Rat
R.Ellis
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
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STEP 6: Measuring success
(a) Populations of each reintroduced mammal species
Timeframe: ongoing, with annual performance reports
We have set specific targets for each reintroduced mammal
species.
Our primary objective at Mt Gibson is:
(a) to deliver a substantial increase in the population of at least 10 threatened/declining species by 31 December 2018; and
(b) to deliver a measurable increase in the overall ecological health of Mt Gibson.
We will measure and report annually on the population of each
mammal species:
• Depending on the species, methods used will include
trapping (with live traps, sandplot-traps or camera-traps).
• The survivorship and habitat use of the translocated animals
will also be measured by radio-tracking or population census
in a design stratified by habitat type.
• For species that are easily captured, we will also measure
condition and reproductive status.
We will measure and report annually on the following key
indicators of success:
• The population of each reintroduced mammal species.
• Increases in the ecological health of the extant fauna,
such as key bird species (e.g. Malleefowl) and reptile species
(e.g. the endangered Western Spiny-tailed Skink).
• The restoration of ecological processes.
Target Population Percentage
at Mt Gibson increase in global population
Woylie4004%
Banded Hare-wallaby
900
11%
Greater Stick-nest Rat
1,200
40%
Bilby6006%
Numbat25033%
Western Barred Bandicoot
1,000
20%
Red-tailed Phascogale
400
13%
Shark Bay Mouse
2,000
33%
Chuditch 1001%
Common Brushtail Possum
300
< 1%
AWC regularly measures the Woylie population at Scotia
Malleefowl
W. Lawler
Banded Hare-wallaby being released by AWC staff at Faure Island
W. Lawler
18
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
(b) Increases in the overall Ecological Health of Mt Gibson
Mt Gibson (132,500 hectares) has very high conservation values
including:
• An estimated 700-800 plant species including over 50 rare
plant species.
• Over 50,000 hectares of rare eucalypt woodlands (including
Salmon Gum, York Gum and Gimlet communities): several
woodland types on Mt Gibson are not represented, or are
poorly represented, in national parks.
• Many threatened animals including Malleefowl and the
Western Spiny-tailed Skink.
A more detailed description of the conservation values at
Mt Gibson is set out on page 21.
The reintroduction of endangered mammals is part of an overall
land management program designed to restore and maintain the
ecological health of Mt Gibson.
Western Spiny-tailed Skink at Mt Gibson – a nationally endangered
species R.Lloyd
• Within the fenced area, the removal of feral animals will
have benefits for a suite of other native animal species. In
particular, the abundance of small mammals, reptiles, and
ground-dwelling birds is likely to increase after the removal
of feral animals (Benshemesh 2007; Moseby et al 2011).
• The reintroduction of small-medium sized mammals will lead
to the restoration of important ecological processes. For
example, Bilbies and Woylies are highly industrious ‘diggers’:
a single Woylie shifts six tonnes of soil in a year. This
activity improves soil fertility, nutrient and water retention
and also enhances the germination and establishment of
seedlings (Garakalis et al. 1998; 2011; James et al. 2009).
In addition, seed caching behaviour by Woylies increases
sandalwood dispersal and regeneration rates (Murphy et al.
2005). Several of the reintroduced mammals are important
predators of native invertebrates; research carried out at
Scotia Sanctuary is documenting the role of reintroduced
mammals in regulating invertebrate communities (H. Gibb,
Pers. comm).
Complementing the reintroduction of mammals, our broader
land management strategies at Mt Gibson – including fire
management and weed control – will underpin an improvement
in ecological health across the sanctuary.
AWC ecologists conducting a fauna survey at Mt Gibson
AWC ecologists will measure and report annually on the overall
ecological health of Mt Gibson. This will involve measuring a
suite of indicators including:
• The species richness and abundance of small mammals
(e.g. dunnarts, native mice) and small reptiles.
• The abundance of ground-dwelling birds (e.g. Malleefowl,
quail-thrush).
• The extent and species richness of the ground cover.
• The complexity of the soil surface.
• The species richness and abundance of native predators
(e.g. goannas, birds of prey).
• The status of threatened flora on Mt Gibson.
• The density of feral animals (outside the feral-free area).
Fauna survey at Mount Gibson
W.Lawler
W.Lawler
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
STEP 7: Scientific research including a new Field Research
Station
Timeframe: ongoing
The Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project is
intended to become a hub for scientific research on issues
related to the recovery of endangered wildlife and flora, as well
as the broader ecological health of the region.
A centrepiece of the science program will be a
Mt Gibson Field Research Station. The Field Research
Station will include a lab and facilities for AWC
ecologists, visiting scientists and students.
The Mt Gibson Field Research Station will be part of a network
of similar facilities across AWC sanctuaries including the Sir David
Attenborough Field Research Station (Artesian Range), the TLLF
WildlifeLink Conservation and Research Centre (Mornington)
and the Bettongia Field Station (Scotia).
The Mt Gibson Field Research Station will help ensure the Project
has a powerful catalytic role by supporting the involvement of
partner organisations, such as universities, and by promoting the
generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
A key focus of the research program at Mt Gibson will be related
to the opportunities provided by the creation of a large feral-free
area and the reintroduction of native species.
Mature salmon gum at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary
W.Lawler
19
A. Feral animal impacts:
By measuring changes in flora and fauna inside and outside
the feral-free area (including before and after comparisons),
we will quantify the specific effects of feral animals on native
vegetation and fauna. This knowledge will help us manage
unfenced areas more effectively.
B. Reintroduction biology:
Another focus of our science program will examine how
we should carry out translocations in order to increase the
probability of reintroduction success: for example, we will
examine the effect of release strategy (‘hard’ or ‘soft’), the
effect of translocation size and sex ratio, age profile, and
so on.
C. The ecology of threatened species:
Focal research on the reintroduced species, as well as extant
threatened species such as Malleefowl and Western Spinytailed Skink, will be carried out to gain a more detailed
understanding of their habitat requirements, feeding
and ranging behaviour, social and breeding systems. This
knowledge will help improve management of these species
at Mt Gibson and elsewhere.
D. The role of reintroduced species in maintaining the
health of ecosystems:
By describing the ‘ecosystem services’ – such as the continual
turnover of soil – performed by reintroduced mammals, we
can understand how the loss of this guild across vast areas
of the mainland is linked to loss of ecological health and
productivity. Such knowledge will help us assess the broader
value of these ecosystem services and consider whether
those services should be recreated pending the restoration of
small mammal populations.
20
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
STEP 8: Implement community engagement and a public
awareness program
Timeframe: ongoing
One of the objectives of the Mt Gibson Project
is to promote public awareness of the plight of
Australia’s wildlife and habitats through community
engagement and public education.
Mt Gibson is located about 350 kilometres north-east of Perth.
It is accessed off the Great Northern Highway between Wubin
and Paynes Find. The nearest town is Dalwallinu.
• A partnership with Perth Zoo: AWC is developing a
partnership with Perth Zoo designed to allow Perth Zoo
visitors to follow the progress of the Mt Gibson Project,
including the growth of wildlife populations. Perth Zoo
staff will assist with on-ground activities, while the captive
breeding programs operated by Perth Zoo will provide
animals for translocation.
• Media: AWC will promote the Mt Gibson Project, including
interaction with the public, through traditional media and
digital media. This will include streaming of video updates
from Mt Gibson.
• School visits: Mt Gibson will be available for school visits
at set periods during the year, introducing school children
to the plight of Australia’s biodiversity and the challenges
involved in looking after our valuable landscapes.
The Dalwallinu Shire Council is a valuable partner in the Mt Gibson
Wildlife Restoration Project.
The following strategies will be implemented in order to
promote public awareness and community engagement.
• Establishing a campground and hosting nocturnal
walks: AWC will establish a modest campground at
Mt Gibson which will be open to the public (bookings will
be required) for set periods during the year, including the
wildflower season. When the campground is open, AWC
staff and volunteers will take guided nocturnal walks within
the feral-free area. Visitors will be taken on a journey ‘back
in time’ to the Australian bush as it was 200 years ago –
as the sun sets, the bush will come alive with small mammals
such as Bilbies, Woylies and Bandicoots. It will be a unique
experience.
The Animal Club at Churchlands Primary School supports Mt Gibson
Nocturnal walks at Mt Gibson will be based on AWC’s existing program at Karakamia Sanctuary
W.Lawler
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
21
Mt Gibson: sanctuary profile
Area: 132,500 hectares
Bioregions: Avon-Wheatbelt and Yalgoo Bioregions
Mammals: 32 species
Birds:
143 species
Reptiles: 66 species
Amphibians: 6 species
Threatened animals: 10 species
Plants: 700 – 800 species (est)
Threatened plants: Over 50 species (est)
Mt Gibson covers 132,500 hectares (1,325 sq km) in the AvonWheatbelt and Yalgoo Bioregions in southwestern Australia.
Of Australia’s 89 Bioregions, the Avon-Wheatbelt Bioregion has
one of the lowest levels of reservation (<3%), highlighting the
national significance of the vast Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary.
The location of Mt Gibson is particularly important because it
lies in the transitional vegetation zone – the ‘mulga-eucalypt’
line – straddling the boundary of two botanical provinces, the
arid Eremean botanical province to the north and the mesic
Southwest botanical province.
The topography and underlying geology of the property are
complex. The dominant landforms are greenstone ranges in the
northeast and banded ironstone hills in the northwest. Granites
and gneisses of the Yilgarn Craton underlie much of the property
and outcrop as domes or breakaways at a number of localities.
The ranges are separated by gently sloping pediments and flood
plains associated with salt lakes and clay pans, with extensive
sandplains in the south.
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
G. Jones
This complexity supports a rich flora and fauna. Of particular
significance, Mt Gibson contains some of the last great
wheatbelt stands of magnificent eucalypt woodlands including
Gimlet, Salmon Gum and York Gum (covering more than 50,000
hectares or nearly half of the property). Our analysis at the time
of acquisition revealed that nine of the 13 broad vegetation
communities on Mt Gibson were either not represented in any
national park or had less than 1% of their original distribution
protected. Overall we expect the property to support more than
700 plant species including over 50 rare and threatened plants.
We have already confirmed at least 40 eucalypt species and
60 acacia species.
The diversity of fauna is also high, with the property supporting
many animals that have declined significantly in the wheatbelt
such as Malleefowl and Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, as well as
Peregrine Falcon and Australian Bustard. Small mammals include
four species of Dunnarts, two species of Hopping-mice and the
Southern Ningaui. The reptile community features the iconic
Perentie and Thorny Devil, as well as lesser-known species such as
the endangered Western Spiny-tailed Skink. Even the invertebrate
communities are impressive: on one early biological survey, over
100 species of native bees were collected by the South Australian
Museum and of these, 50 species were new to science.
Further reading: Silent Country, an essay by Tim Winton, The Monthly
(October 2008); see www.australianwildlife.org/SilentCountry
Wildflowers at Mt Gibson
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22
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Mt Gibson:
delivering an exceptional return on investment
‘Business as usual’ will not save our wildlife
For over a decade, Federal and State Governments have been
allocating more than $1 billion every year to biodiversity
conservation. The Federal Government alone will allocate
$2.2 billion to biodiversity conservation over the next five years
under its Caring for our Country program.
Despite this massive investment, the most recent State of
the Environment Report (2011) – prepared by the Federal
Government – concluded that during 2002 – 2007 ‘there were
no cases of real improvement in the status of listed taxa at
the national level’.
In other words, of the more than 1,700 nationally listed
threatened species, not a single species had its conservation
status upgraded by the Federal Government as a result of real
improvements in its population or distribution. For nationally
threatened mammals, this position has not changed since 2007.
Public expenditure of more than $10 billion on
biodiversity conservation over the last decade has
failed to improve the conservation status of a single
nationally threatened mammal species.
In contrast, the population of several nationally threatened
mammals at AWC projects such as Faure Island and Scotia
have increased substantially. For example, we now protect over
80% of the world population of Bridled Nailtail Wallabies, over
20% of the world Bilby population and around 33% of the
Numbat population (see the Summer 2012/13 edition of Wildlife
Matters for more detail).
In addition, there are a small number of other projects – such
as the Arid Recovery Project and Perup Sanctuary – delivering
effective conservation for threatened mammals. However,
outside of these projects, the last decade has been a disaster for
many threatened mammal species. For species like the Numbat
and the Woylie, their population in national parks has decreased
significantly, with predation by feral cats and foxes being a key
factor.
Decisive action – involving the wise investment of scarce
resources – is necessary to halt and reverse the decline in our
mammal fauna.
Numbat
W.Lawler
Mt Gibson: delivering high ecological returns
Building on the success of our on-ground programs at places like
Faure Island and Scotia, AWC is proposing to invest $5.3 million
over five years at Mt Gibson. A breakdown of this expenditure is
set out in Table 4.
Our investment of $5.3 million over five years will
generate a substantial and measurable increase in
the global population of nine nationally threatened
mammal species.
One in seven (14%) of our nationally threatened
mammal species will enjoy a more secure future as
a result of the Mt Gibson Project.
We believe the Mt Gibson Project represents exceptional value
for money: it will deliver perhaps the highest ecological return
of any threatened mammal project in Australia. The key factors
which will help deliver this exceptional ecological return are:
• A commitment to practical, on-ground action: the
construction of 43 kilometres of specially-designed fence
to create the largest fox and cat-free area on the Western
Australian mainland; and
•Utilising world-class science in designing key land management
strategies and measuring the ecological outcomes.
The ‘returns’ will include 400 Woylies, 900 Banded
Hare-wallabies, 600 Bilbies, 1,200 Greater Stick-nest
Rats, 250 Numbats, 1,000 Western Barred Bandicoots
and 100 Chuditch (see page 17 for more detail).
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Bilbies
An AWC ecologist measures a Western Barred Bandicoot for growth
and condition W.Lawler
Budget: investing to secure the future for nine threatened
species
Table 4: Budget for the period 2013 - 2018
Construction of feral proof fence$1,850,000
Infrastructure development$305,000
- sanctuary base
- accommodation for field staff
- Field Research Station
- volunteer/student accommodation
- solar power
Plant and equipment for operations $225,000
- tractor
- vehicles
- fire units Removal of feral animals$125,000
Scientific equipment $150,000
- Field Research Station equipment
- cage traps, camera traps etc Translocation costs $220,000
Operational costs ($480,000 per annum)$2,400,000
- 2 land managers; 2 ecologists
- asset management
- fuel
- communications
- insurance/regulatory
TOTAL for years 2013 - 2018
$5,275,000
23
W.Lawler
Shark Bay Mouse
W.Lawler
We need your help
We need your help to turn back the tide of
extinctions and help save nine of Australia’s
threatened mammals.
Please make a tax deductible donation by
investing in the Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife
Restoration Project (see enclosed donation form
or back page).
$100 will fund equipment for monitoring endangered species, such as Elliot traps.
$300 will fund an ecologist for one day.
$500 will fund radio collars for a pair of Western Barred Bandicoots.
$1,000 will fund the removal of feral cats from around 50 hectares.
$10,000 will fund the translocation of
10 Numbats from Scotia to Mt Gibson.
$50,000 will build just over 1 kilometre of
feral-proof fence.
This is your chance to help restore Australia’s
natural capital. Donate now and start planning
your future visit to Mt Gibson to inspect the
ecological return on your investment including
Bilbies, Numbats and Woylies!
we urgently need your help
yes, I want to help save Australia’s threatened wildlife
Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project
Please direct my donation to save nine threatened mammals through the establishment of the largest feral predator-free area
in Western Australia
AWC operations generally
Please direct my donation to AWC operations around Australia
Numbat
Woylie
W.Lawler
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Mt Gibson Project: May 2013
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