Latest News

1. They eat what?! Arid Recovery 11-May-2012
2. Behaviours to watch for Arid Recovery 08-May-2012
3. How can you get involved? Arid Recovery 02-May-2012
4. Feral Cat Month Arid Recovery 01-May-2012
5. Postie Bash Preparations Arid Recovery 27-Apr-2012

Arid Recovery News

They eat what?!

Arid Recovery - Friday, May 11, 2012

The arid zone has lost approximately 60% of its small mammal population, and while although cannot be put down entirely to the fault of just one animal, it would be fair to say that feral cats have played a significant role.  So, just exactly how much and what do they eat?

Since 1997, Arid Recovery has undertaken feral control for rabbits, cats and foxes.  A number of soft jaw leg hold traps are situated around the external perimeter of the Arid Recovery Reserve in an attempt to ease the pressure on the fence.  These traps, along with nocturnal spotlighting and baiting programs, provide us with an estimate of feral cats in the area and help to reduce the impacts they may have in the near vicinity of our Reserve.  Each cat that has been caught, is humanely euthanized by a trained and licenced staff member or volunteer.  Later the cat is dissected to examine its stomach contents. 

In the 15 years of Arid Recovery over 1455 cats have been dissected, finding more than 3203 animals in their stomach contents.  This includes 1204 insects, 1390 mammals, 97 birds and 512 reptiles.  This averages out to approximately 2 small animals for every feral cat!

It is estimated the feral cat population of Australia is currently around the 15 million mark, and if each of these cats are eating 2 small animals each, that is 30 million individuals we lose EVERY DAY! 

The annual small mammal and reptile trapping undertaken by Arid Recovery each year clearly indicates the impacts feral cats (and foxes) have on native wildlife, trapping 6 times more small mammals inside the feral free Reserve, than outside.

The photo below depicts a cat euthanised in the early days of Arid Recovery.  Its stomach contains:

• 24 painted dragons
• 3 bearded dragons
• 3 striped skinks
• 2 earless dragons
• 1 mouse
• 1 zebra finch

The animals were predominantly undigested, which shows that this was all prey caught in the last 24 hours.  Thirty four animals died to fill the belly of one feral cat, how many more before we make a national effort to put a stop to it?

 

 

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Feral Cat Month

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, May 01, 2012

 

 

Unfortunately, while we and a number of small native mammals enjoy the green tinge to the arid zone, a predator has been lurking and taking advantage of the abundant food source.  According to locals of Roxby Downs and Andamooka, sightings of feral cats around town have increased significantly over the last couple of months, sparking us here at Arid Recovery to declare May as “Feral Cat Month”.

In an attempt to help people realise the devastating effects of feral cats on the native environment, Feral Cat Month will offer Arid Recovery blog readers and Roxby Downs locals the chance to learn a little bit more about the feral animals of the area, particularly cats, and how they impact the environment. 

“We understand that people enjoy the company of cats and that they can make great pets but they need to be looked after correctly.  Cats need to be micro- chipped, registered, de-sexed and cannot be found wandering at large (ie. off their owners property), just the same as dogs,” said Volunteer and Community Coordinator, Hannah Spronk. 

Arid Recovery are asking people to take a guess at how far spread feral cats are in Australia and estimate rough numbers that might be roaming around.  Comment below or on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/AridRecovery , in just a couple of days we will release our figures, which might be surprising!

 

 

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Postie Bash Preparations

Arid Recovery - Friday, April 27, 2012

The helmets have been polished and the bikes serviced in the preparation for the 2012 Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash and the Arid Recovery team are in practice! 

Taking place for the first time last year, the Postie Bash was quite a hit and has had all spaces filled with more than 20 teams.  This year the Arid Recovery team have decided to take part, entering their team, the Crash Bandicoots.  With one experienced motorbike rider in the team, general manager Kylie Piper thought it was time to get serious and purchase a postie bike sooner rather than later, to allow the team a little time to practice for the big event.

Running on the weekend of 23rd and 24th of June, the Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash runs from Roxby Downs up the Borefield Road and Oodnadatta Track ending up at William Creek on Saturday evening.  Along the way there are competitions, road blocks and pit stops aplenty to keep the dusty and bumpy ride interesting.  Teams take part in fundraising for the months prior to the weekend with raffles, auctions, sausage sizzles and events spread throughout town.  This Saturday Arid Recovery will be opening the gates at 4:30pm to allow the public through on a sunset tour and nocturnal spotlight, with all funds raised going towards the Postie Bash.  All monies raised by all teams for the Postie Bash goes towards the Roxby Downs youth and health services.

Advertising the Postie Bash and the fundraising efforts of the Crash Bandicoots on local radio, general manager Kylie Piper took part in a live broadcast ride down Richardson Place.  Never having rode a motorbike it was an experience not just for her but those lucky enough to be in Roxby Downs at the time.  “It was so much fun!  I honestly thought I was going to fall off for a minute there when I came around the corner, but I held on,” said Ms Piper.

After fundraising efforts this weekend the Crash Bandicoot team will be getting stuck into practicing their motorbike skills in preparation for the weekend.

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Experience the Reserve after dark!

Arid Recovery - Monday, April 23, 2012

You often hear the Arid Recovery staff speaking of their cheeky burrowing bettongs and their elusive bilbies, but have you ever actually seen one?  Arid Recovery is offering Roxby Downs locals the opportunity to see these threatened species and help to raise money for the Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash.

 

The evening of Saturday April 28th, Arid Recovery is inviting you to take a look at what goes on behind the fence after dark.  Usually receiving tourists on their sunset tours, Volunteer and Community Coordinator, Hannah Spronk, thought it was time that locals had the opportunity to experience some of the native wildlife.

With so many new people coming to town Arid Recovery thought it would be great for them to meet some of the critters we are always talking about.  The staff have decided to enter a team called the Crash Bandicoots into the local Community Postie Bash and thought this event would be something different as a fundraiser for the local community.

The Arid Recovery gate will be opened for arrivals from 4:30pm- 5pm with the night wrapping up by approximately 9pm.  Entry is just $10 and children under 12 are free.

Visitors will be able to take a tour through different vegetation types, making their way to the viewing platform to enjoy an outback sunset.

As it becomes dark the reserve begins to come alive, with critters climbing out from their homes.  Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a spotlight walk to the nocturnal hide where they will have the opportunity to spot the burrowing bettongs, hopping mice and even a shy bilby!

Visitors will need to wear enclosed shoes and long pants.  A water bottle and torch will be handy and a keen eye is a must.  A sausage sizzle will be available on the night for a gold coin.  All proceeds will go towards the Roxby Downs Postie Bash raising money for youth and health services.  For more information or to register your interest call (08) 8671 8282.

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Easter Bilbies Preparations

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

We all know Easter is just around the corner and Easter Bilby has been working hard at the Arid Recovery Reserve, preparing for his big weekend of chocolate egg deliveries ahead! 

Although there is some debate as to exactly where and when the concept of Easter Bilby originated, the business name was registered in 1991 by the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia.  Whilst many of the children of Roxby Downs will now happily tell you the difference between a feral rabbit and a native endangered bilby, we want to spread the message further.  For years now Australians have made Christmas their own, donning shorts rather than scarves and decorating a branch of eucalypt, it is now time to do the same for our Easter.

Rabbits first came to Australia with the First Fleet with 24 rabbits released on the mainland at a property near Geelong in 1859.  These rabbits of course spread quickly to cover the landscape.  In just 18 months one pair of rabbits can turn into 184, displaying their exponential breeding and giving rise to the saying “breeding like rabbits”.  Unfortunately these huge numbers have decimated areas of Australia, causing vegetation loss, soil degradation and most likely contributing to the local extinctions of some species, including the Greater Bilby.

By celebrating Easter in Australia with an Easter Bilby rather than Bunny, we hope to raise awareness of the devastating impacts feral rabbits have had across the country and the plight of our endangered Greater Bilby.  So this Easter rather than chomping down on a chocolate bunny, how about purchasing a chocolate Easter Bilby? Sales of chocolate bilbies from Darrell Lea help to support the Save the Bilby bund and chocolate bilbies purchased from Haigh’s support the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia. 

Support the Arid Recovery bilbies and the fight for an arid zone free of rabbits by adopting a bilby from the Reserve.  A special offer available until Friday 6^th, for just $50 you can adopt a bilby from the Arid Recovery Reserve and receive an adoption certificate, complimentary one year membership and a small plush bilby toy.  Check out the Get Involved tab on our website to adopt.

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A land of flooding rains

Arid Recovery - Friday, March 02, 2012

Although usually well known for our hot, dry and dusty days, this week the arid zone around Roxby Downs and further afield in South Australia received a good soaking. 

It began last Sunday with a quick downpour which saw our Field Maintenance Officer Tyson Brown heading out to the reserve for a quick fence check, making sure rain and wind had not done any damage.  Before making it even half way around the reserve, the rains came again, making roads to boggy and wet to trek back into town.  Stuck at the ATCO (the Reserve base camp) for a night was enjoyable, especially with these cute little Trilling Frogs (Neobatrachus centralis) coming out to play.

Tuesday saw a slight break in the weather allowing us to get Ecologist Helen Crisp out to the reserve with supplies of food and fuel for the week.  Although not everyone’s cup of tea, Arid Recovery staff are well prepared for event such as this.  One of their priorities whilst out there is to undertake fence checks regularly, to ensure there are no wash outs or damage which may allow feral cats, foxes and rabbits into the feral free zones.

Although it may seem hard to believe, Trilling Frogs are actually the most abundant vertebrate of this area, hiding buried up 2 metres below the surface.  Adapted to remain in hibernation for years without surfacing, they wait for large rainfalls, such as those the region has just experienced, before surfacing. 

Of course, not only frogs but huge numbers of insects come out with rain, providing them with a smorgasbord of options.  They will quickly lay their eggs which will hatch and mature at a rate faster than your average amphibian before they burrow down into the soil again, forming a coating over its skin to protect it from dehydration.

 

Check out more photos on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AridRecovery

A total of nearly 70mm of rain was recorded over 5 days at the Arid Recovery Reserve.  For more information about rainfall in the area and across the arid zone of South Australia check out  a map at http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/rain/index.jsp?colour=colour&time=latest&step=0&map=totals&period=week&area=sa

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Bilby Trapping

Arid Recovery - Thursday, February 09, 2012

In the first week of February the Arid Recovery Internship students participated in targeting Bilbies for relocation from the second expansion to other areas of the reserve. Generally Bilbies are rather trap shy, and don’t often go for the peanut butter bait balls set in cage traps that are more appropriated for the eager and social Bettongs.

The interns traipsed through sand dunes on the hunt for Bilby burrows, keeping a keen eye for signs of Bilby tracks and diggings. Once a Bilby burrow was located it was time for some manual labour, with the burrow traps needing to be dug deep into the burrow to ensure a secure capture.

Photo 1: Intern Anni digging in a burrow trap.

 

The following morning the interns got up bright and early to check the burrow traps before the sun had risen, hopeful that the traps were a success! Wondering around in the dark, guided by a GPS and the light of their head torch, the interns found their burrow traps with a timid Bilby tucked away in the corner. “Discovering a Bilby in a burrow trap is incredibly rewarding, they don’t often go for traps, so to find one is a big deal!” exclaims Arid Recovery intern Katy Read, “It’s a great rush to know that the burrow trap has been a success!”

 

Photo 2: Intern Katy placing a burrow trap.

 

Over a three day trapping period a total of two Bilbies and three Bettongs (who often share burrows with the Bilbies), where captured in the burrow traps. Arid Recovery intern student Anni Walsh quotes, “We’ve really honed in on our skills of identifying Bilby traps and suitable active burrows, its great!”

 

Photo 3:  The finished product- a burrow trap ready to go.

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2012 Summer Internship

Arid Recovery - Thursday, December 01, 2011

Arid Recovery is offering a two month internship for a couple of eager students who would like to expand their knowledge and improve their skills.  We are seeking applications from enthusiastic students who are willing to commit to two months of work at the Arid Recovery Reserve.  Below is a reflection from previous student, Perri Carter, who has now gained employment with the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board. 

For further information about the 2012 internship and applications, please click here.

 

Applications close Tuesday 20th December.

 

Reflections of Perri Carter I first moved to Roxby Downs last December fresh out of Uni and ready to take on anything, including the Arid Recovery summer scholarship. When I saw the scholarship advertised I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do, I really wanted to put the skills I learnt at Uni to work and help conserve Australia’s wildlife. My first big event while at Arid Recovery was the February Annual Trapping when we trap for small mammals and reptiles it was an exhausting week of early mornings and late nights but a highlight of my time here. Getting to see such a large range of small mammals that you know are out there but never get to see such as my favourite the Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura).

Other highlights of my time here have been the internal translocation of the Western Barred Bandicoot the September trapping and of course Open Day. After months preparing for Open Day it was great to see the day such a success, radio tracking Macca was so much fun the kids were so excited to be running through the dunes looking for a giant Bilby.

To finish off my last week perfectly on my last tour I finally saw the illusive Bilby that hangs out on the dune near the ATCO. Every tour I did I would walk back slowly and quietly along the dune hoping to see the Bilby that is often spotted but until then it had alluded me. It was a perfect end to my time finally getting to see it 10 meters in front of me. 

Lastly I just want to say thank you to everyone at Arid Recovery staff and volunteers it has been amazing to meet you all and I will take away so much new knowledge from my time here.

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Arid Recovery in Parliament

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, November 22, 2011

 

It isn't too often you hear the Arid Recovery name mentioned in parliament.  Recently Senator Alex Gallacher travelled up to Roxby Downs for the official opening of the Roxby Downs Area School's new gym.  With a little time to spare he was eager to take a trip out to the reserve to understand how Arid Recovery works and what makes our arid lands so unique.

Within a couple of hours Alex and his reptile shy assistant Matthew had seen the far north reaches of the reserve, tested out a solar panelled cat trap, learnt a little about the flora and fauna found inside and out and of course had a close look at our fence.  Upon returning to Adelaide, Alex decided Arid Recovery and the conservation goals we are working towards was worthy of a mention in parliament.  To read a copy of the speech, simply click on the link below.

Link to: Arid Recovery in Parliament

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National Boodie call starts today!

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Throughout November and December Arid Recovery is teaming up with Australian Geographic for a nationwide boodie call.

 

Before European settlement, the burrowing bettong, or boodie, flourished across Australia. Today it is only found naturally on three small islands off WA. Threatened by feral predators, fire and disease, numbers have fallen to about 5000. Stepping in to help is Arid Recovery, a not-for-profit conservation and research organisation based in SA.

“The burrowing bettong was once abundant, and it’s a great shame that they are no longer found in the wild on the mainland,” says Kylie Piper, from Arid Recovery, an organisation that manages a 12,300ha reserve near Roxby Downs, SA.

The Arid Recovery Reserve, which has been home to reintroduced bettongs since 1999, now has a population of over 1500. The marsupial builds complex warrens and once thrived in arid shrub, such as that found on the reserve.

As more than 6000ha of the property is free of the predators, it’s an ideal location for the species to prosper.

You can answer the boodie call by visiting an Australian Geographic store around Australia or donating or adopting a boodie online via the Arid Recovery website.

 

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Recent Posts

• They eat what?!
• Feral Cat Month
• Postie Bash Preparations
• Experience the Reserve after dark!
• Kids club goes bettong spotting
• Bettongs and bilbies moving house
• Easter Bilbies Preparations
• Can dingoes save our threatened native species?
• One for the Road
• An Arid Recovery Baby

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