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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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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Can dingoes save our threatened native species?

Arid Recovery - Thursday, March 29, 2012

In late January we raised a few hackles with an update on our dingo study and the role they play in the arid zone.  We ended up with a mix of opinions from pastoralists and conservationists from far and wide.  Now we raise the question, can the dingo save our native species?

Some scientists believe that dingoes play a role in protecting native species and restoring the balance of our ecosystem.  It has been found that in some areas where dingoes are found, threatened species are still surviving, giving rise to the theory that dingoes play a part in protecting some threatened native species.

It is assumed that in these areas where small populations of threatened species are existing with dingo populations, that there are also feral species such as cats and foxes, which are being kept under control by the higher order predator, the dingo.  The introduction of feral cat and fox predators has meant the small mammal population has taken a beating, being prime easy prey compared to species such as kangaroos which have now reached very high numbers in some areas.

We would like to hear what you think.  Can dingoes save a native species?  Are there any other solutions out there to help us protect our threatened and endangered Aussie critters?

Click on the photo below to follow the story by the ABC recently covering this topic.

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An Arid Recovery Baby

Arid Recovery - Friday, March 09, 2012

There was much cooing into buckets earlier this week as the Arid Recovery staff discovered a new addition to the family.

Undertaking some pit fall trapping work this week the staff were excited to find one morning they had captured more small mammals than usual.  Once small mammals have been processed we place them into large buckets with water and some seed for the rest of the day. 

Before heading back out in the late afternoon all the animals are returned to their bags to be released at the same site they were caught.  Field officer Anni Walsh, was slightly surprise to discover there was more than just one Forrest Mouse in the bag.  Upon closer inspection ecologist Helen Crisp was able to determine there were four small babies in the bag with their mother.  Left overnight with plenty of food and water, the mother Forrest Mouse was quite content to look after her babies in the warmth and security of a catch bag. 

Rather than prolonging the inevitable, staff released the small family back into the wild late the next evening.  Finding a digging that would provide her with shelter, she was protected with vegetation and left alone with the four small additions to her family.

 

One of the small babies attempting to attach itself for suckling to its mother.

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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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Baby Bilby for Christmas!

Arid Recovery - Wednesday, December 07, 2011

There are a number of successful bilby breeding programs around Australia, working hard to replenish the low population.  Perth Zoo is one of these and has just had their first successful breeding of the bilby for 2011.

Bilbies are opportunistic breeders, meaning they will only breed when the conditions are optimum, and in their natural environment in the harsh arid zone of Australia, those opportunities might be few and far between!  Once a substantial food supply has been established, bilbies will mate, with some mating sessions lasting up to 18 hours. The foetus that is produced develops quite quickly and approximately two weeks after mating a bean sized newborn will manage to squirm into its mothers pouch.  This newborn will spend up to three months inside the pouch, developing and feeding.  After initially leaving the pouch, it is not likely to young bilby will re-enter the pouch.  We call this stage “at foot”. Don’t worry, they aren’t left to fend for themselves yet.  Mother bilbies are able to produce two types of milk, one for the small newborn living inside the pouch, and another type for the young bilby that is at foot. For more information on the bilby born at the Perth Zoo and to see a film after he has left the pouch, click on the link here.

Or why not adopt your own bilby for Xmas!

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BoPpers at the Reserve

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Most people are indulging in a little sleep in at 7am on a Saturday morning or planning which housework task needs to be tackled first but this wasn’t the case last Saturday.  The Arid Recovery crew and dedicated eager volunteers were up and enjoying the cool calm morning, undertaking a birds of prey survey within the reserve.

Although not usually a focus of Arid Recovery research, the recent birds of prey survey was undertaken to provide us with base data required for future studies.  With their spotter eyes on high alert the group split into teams to drive their designated sections of the reserve. 

 

Volunteers were on high alert for a number of birds common to the area including Wedge- tailed Eagles, Nankeen Kestrels and Brown Falcons.  Over a late breakfast the results were combined and discussed and challenges were issued as to who had spotted the most birds.

“It’s an absolutely gorgeous morning to be out at the reserve,” remarked Arid Recovery ecologist Helen Crisp.  “We are so thankful these volunteers have given up their morning to help us out and contribute to the future research programs at Arid Recovery.”

Results showed there were high numbers of Wedge- tailed Eagles within the reserve as well as Black Shouldered Kites.  By dividing the number of kilometres driven and the number of birds recorded and estimate of approximately 0.5 birds of prey per kilometre was devised.  "Because we don't have any other similar scenarios to compare it to we are not sure yet if this is an average dispersal of birds or not.  We are also experiencing relatively good conditions at the moment so this may also have affected numbers but that is all part of the fun of ecology," commented Helen Crisp.

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A Cousin Next Door

Arid Recovery - Friday, November 11, 2011

After 80 long years, relatives of the Arid Recovery burrowing bettong have moved in next door.  Once plentiful along the eastern seaboard of Australia, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) suffered a fast decline due to foxes, cats and land clearing in the late 1800’s.

Since approximately the mid- 1920’s the eastern bettong has not been seen on the mainland and survived only in Tasmania.  With the recent arrival of the fox in Tasmania and an increase in other pressures, a small population of 30 eastern bettongs were relocated to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT. 

The ACT government, CSIRO and Dr Adrian Manning of the Australian National University’s  Fenner School are working collaboratively on a grassy woodland restoration project.  The project is undertaken at Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve and it is hoped that at some stage next year, this small group of eastern bettongs will be released at Mulligans flat.

Eastern bettongs are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers” as they play a pivotal role in digging up the soil which increases the flow of nutrients and water into the soil.  The ecologists working on this reintroduction are hoping to determine the impact this reintroduced species may have on the woodland and if they may be used an ecological restoration tool.

Findings from this type of study can be beneficial not only to other woodlands along the eastern coast but also conservation projects across Australia.  Although it may seem the information these sorts of studies and organisations such as Arid Recovery provide are quite specific to the ecosystems or animals they are dealing with, aspects of it can be applicable to a number of different things.  Look at our unique floppy top fence, it is used in different ecosystems across Australia and even in other countries!  Conservation projects and initiatives such as these share not only their successes but also their failures with others in order to improve the protection of our species for years to come.

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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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The Great Bettong Escape

Arid Recovery - Wednesday, October 26, 2011

For many people, the arid zone during the day looks like a dry, dusty and slightly lifeless area and many wonder where all these animals are that we are talking about.  But as the sun starts to dip below the horizon and the moon begins to rise, you will soon see the Arid Recovery Reserve come to life.  A number of night vision cameras have been erected around the reserve to find exactly what all the wildlife is getting up to.

Photo 1: Those who have had the experience of staying over- night at the reserve or taking one of the nocturnal tours will readily tell you about the abundance of Burrowing Bettongs and their cheeky antics.  This photograph above shows one of the Reserve's more elusive inhabitants, a Stick-nest Rat, investigating around the base of one of our exterior exclusion fences.

Photo 2: This next shot shows a Bettong discovering the large corner posts that we use for the Arid Recovery Fence.  The fence was designed that while animals (such as cats) could still climb up the exterior, they were unable to reach the interior of the reserve due to the floppy top which throws off their balance.  While these mischievous little critters spend most of their time hopping around and are even named for their habit of burrowing underground, they do have the ability to climb, and quite well!

Photo 3:  Quite clearly these ground dwellers aren’t too scared of heights, easily pulling themselves up the inside of the fence in an attempt to discover what lies beyond.  It was for this reason that the main exclosure was electrified not only on the exterior to prevent feral animals from entering, but also on the interior to stop our precious threatened species from climbing out to feral populated areas or other expansions of the reserve.

Photo 4:  Not only do the animals inside the reserve that become active at night, but also those on the outside.  This dingo waits patiently on the exterior of the fence, anticipating dinner to crawl over the fence and land at his feet.

Photo 5:  This kangaroo outside the fence has also come to investigate why this fence is here and what is going on.  If you look closely you can see the small joey head, poking out of its mothers pouch, a sight we were lucky enough to capture on these cameras.

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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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