Project: 4.1
Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna
Project Leaders: Nicola Mitchell, Sarah Legge
The conservation problem
Fauna translocations are an increasingly important conservation tool, for example to move species to areas where they are protected from predators, or
in response to a changing climate. Moving species presents challenges, including choosing the best locations for translocations, choosing the source
populations, reducing the risks to the individuals being translocated, and avoiding lowering the viability of populations from which individuals are
removed.
How this research is addressing the problem
This project is filling major knowledge gaps around the feasibility, risks, benefits and cost-effectiveness of translocating some of Australia’s most threatened fauna. For example, it is providing practical guidance on where fencing projects should be implemented to maximise benefits to threatened mammal conservation, while minimising costs.
It is also addressing the implications of mixing long-isolated populations in attempts to carry out genetic rescue of small, declining populations. For
a subset of species, it is focusing on ways to introduce adaptive gene complexes into threatened populations.
In some instances captive breeding can help avoid extinction and also provide animals for translocations. When, and how, should we do this? Such intensive
management needs careful planning, including for the maintenance of demographic and genetic health of relatively small populations over the longer-term.
Most research is occurring through partnerships with stage agencies and NGOs, many of whom are expanding their translocation programs. Together, we are
engaged in pivotal field trials to evaluate new approaches for improving the resilience of translocated populations. Aside from aiding species recovery,
fauna translocations are helping to restore ecosystem processes, which we are investigating by studying the return of digging mammals to mainland sanctuaries.
What we aim to collectively achieve through this research
We aim to improve the practice of translocation for the conservation of threatened fauna.
This project involves the following subprojects:
Project 4.1.1 The current status and future growth of predator-free havens
Project 4.1.1.2 Reintroduction plan to rescue the northern eastern bristlebird
Project 4.1.3 Learning from mammal translocations
Project 4.1.4.1 Assisted colonisation of Australia's rarest reptile: The western swamp turtle
Project 4.1.4.2 Optimising the timing for assisting the colonisation of threatened montane frogs
Project 4.1.4.3 Improving conservation outcomes for critically endangered white-bellied frogs
Project 4.1.6.1 Can assisted gene flow increase the resilience of terrestrial-breeding frogs to a drying climate?
Project 4.1.7 Enhancing ecosystem function by reintroductions of digging mammals
Image: Corroboree frog via Parks Australia - Australian Alps collection/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Related Projects
Using detection dog techniques to conserve Queensland’s Endangered montane species
Project: 4.4.11
Three Endangered species survive only in tiny populations in small areas of particular mountain ranges in Queensland: two mammals ranked in the top 20 Australian mammals most likely to go extinct (the carnivorous marsupials black-tailed dusky antechinus,
Mapping distributions, threats and opportunities to conserve the greater glider
Project: 4.4.8
This project will inform landscape management actions and recovery planning for the greater glider across its whole range by mapping threats and opportunities for management, and improving predictions of species’ persistence and range changes.
Threatened bird conservation in Murray-Darling Basin wetland and floodplain habitat
Project: 4.4.7
This project is designed to build a better understanding of how threatened bird species use the wetland and floodplain environments of the Murray–Darling Basin.
Identifying and managing refuges from threats
Project: 4.4
Refuges are important to many species, as they allow many species to survive environmentally stressful times, like droughts, fires and disease outbreaks. While fixed refuges like mountain tops can be easy to identify, many species rely on temporary refuges which move in time and space.
Threatened plant translocations
Project: 4.3
Translocations are being increasingly used in threatened plant recovery programs. The outcomes of past translocation programs have often been poorly documented or unpublished. This makes it hard to learn from the past experiences, to adapt and improve techniques in response to outcomes or to determine if investments have been worthwhile.
Protecting threatened quolls and other biodiversity on Kimberley islands from cane toads
Project: 4.2.5
This research will use existing data to predict future invasion by cane toads of Australian islands, particularly the Kimberley islands. This information is important for prioritizing surveillance action on these islands in order to conserve toad-sensitive species such as the endangered Northern Quoll.
Norfolk Island threatened species conservation
Project: 4.2.4
Norfolk Island features a wide diversity of endemic species of flora and fauna, many of which have become threatened. Declines have largely been caused by historical land clearing and the introduction of invasive species of plants, mammals, birds and other species. This research seeks to examine the mechanisms driving native plant recruitment, along with an assessment of flora–fauna interaction networks, particularly native plant interactions with invasive weeds, rats and chickens. It will identify and quantify key threats and barriers to recruitment of native plant species.
Saving species on Australian islands
Project: 4.2
This project will help shape on-ground actions on Australian islands – which are havens for threatened species. It will develop information to more effectively protect Australia’s island biodiversity and create safe refuges for species at risk.
Reintroduction plan to rescue the northern eastern bristlebird
Project: 4.1.12
The ecologically unique northern population of the eastern bristlebird is among the most threatened Australia birds. This project will develop an emergency action plan that will guide on-the-ground actions to stop the decline, increase the wild population and directly improve long-term persistence.
Enhancing ecosystem function by reintroductions of digging mammals
Project: 4.1.7
Many of Australia’s threatened species, such as bettongs and bandicoots, are considered ecosystem engineers due to the important functional role they provide in landscapes. Digging mammals can substantially influence ecosystem processes, such as soil turnover, litter decomposition and plant recruitment, by creating burrows for shelter or foraging pits when searching for food.
Can assisted gene flow increase the resilience of terrestrial-breeding frogs to a drying climate?
Project: 4.1.6.1
Assisted gene flow is an emerging method to aid species to adapt to new conditions, such as those created by climate change. It involves the movement of individuals (or their genes) from one population to another. This project will investigate whether assisted gene flow could enhance the resilience of two species of non-threatened amphibians from the south-west of Australia to increasingly dry conditions.
A decision tool for evaluating whether ex situ management is appropriate for a threatened species
Project: 4.1.5
Ex situ management (e.g., captive breeding) can be used to increase the viability of a species in the wild by supplementing or creating wild populations. This research project will create an accessible decision tool to aid decision-making and planning for ex situ management of threatened species.
Improving conservation outcomes for critically endangered white-bellied frogs
Project: 4.1.4.3
White-bellied frogs are a critically endangered species that are endemic to the Margaret River region of Western Australia. The species has undergone continued population declines, despite careful management. This project will target knowledge gaps around factors contributing to population declines, as well as better resolve the specific habitat and hydrological requirements of this species.
Optimising the timing for assisting the colonisation of threatened montane frogs
Project: 4.1.4.2
In this project, we are developing optimisation models for two Endangered species (the northern corroboree frog, and Spencer’s tree frog) to determine the ideal timeframe for when each species could be relocated to suitable habitats that are currently outside their natural range.
Assisted colonisation of Australia’s rarest reptile: The western swamp turtle
Project: 4.1.4.1
One of Australia’s rarest reptiles, the western swamp turtle, is being challenged by the rapidly drying climate in the southwest of Western Australia, which continues to marginalise its already fragmented habitat. In a world first, this project is field-testing the viability of introducing this Critically Endangered species to wetlands more than 300km south of its native range, in an effort to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
Learning from mammal translocations
Project: 4.1.3
Australian Wildlife Conservancy is undertaking a major project to re-establish populations of 10 regionally-extinct mammals, including nine threatened species, at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Australia. The reintroductions will integrate monitoring and research activities in order to improve the conduct of future reintroductions in Australia.
Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna
Project: 4.1
Whether moving species into fenced areas, intensively managed habitats or outside its previous habitat - translocating threatened species presents a number of challenges. This project will research the most feasible and cost-effective translocation strategies to boost the size and long-term viability of wild populations. This will include improved planning for, and implementation of, translocations of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs.Latest News
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Our mammals at greatest risk from cats and foxes
Wed, 21 Nov 2018New research led by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has revealed which mammals are most vulnerable to cats and foxes, and many much-loved potoroos, bandicoots and bettongs, as well as native rodents, are at the top of the list.
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Getting strategic with havens
Fri, 09 Nov 2018In Biblical times, Noah made a plan to secure the Earth’s creatures during the almighty flood. He loaded seven pairs of the most valued land animals and birds, and one pair of everything else, onto his Ark. In Australia today, mammal conservationists also need to plan for floods – but not of water, rather of introduced predators. With a bit of systematic planning, havens could serve as modern-day arks for threatened species. Sarah Legge has a story to tell.
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John Kanowski: A life in ecology
Mon, 24 Sep 2018Dr John Kanowski manages the Australian Wildlife Conservancy's science program. We asked him about his life and he had a colourful tale to tell, which started in a big family in country Queensland, included jungle fever and deportation in Malaysian Borneo and a lot of hard work.
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From genes to saving species
Tue, 29 May 2018You have to be pretty lucky to make a living by combining your passion and interests, and that’s exactly how Dr Daniel White feels about his current state of affairs. Dan began his career studying genes, and has since applied his science to saving species. Here he describes how.
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