Other major contributors to Arid Recovery in included the following:

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Arid Recovery Team... 1 Highlights The Reserve... 3 Rainfall... 4 Native Fauna Re-establishment... 5 Woma Python Trial Re-introduction... 6 Monitoring... 8 Re-introduced Species Monitoring Burrowing Bettong Greater Bilby Greater Sitck-nest Rat Western Barred Bandicoot Numbat Small Vertebrate Monitoring Annual Bird Monitoring Vegetation Monitoring Feral Animal Control & Monitoring Wild West Program Research Current Research Research Priorities Research Project Highlights Community Involvement Friends of Arid Recovery Year Celebration Awards Publicity, Education and Awareness Media Tours/Functions Conferences/Forums Indigenous Visits Look and Learn Visits Grants Financial Report...38 Contributions...38 Expenditure...38 Profit and Loss...39 In Kind Contributions...40 Appendix A - Research Bibliography

2 This document is the 11th in a series of annual reports and outlines the activities of Arid Recovery for the period from July 2007 to June Arid Recovery is a partnership which commenced in 1997 between BHP Billiton (originally WMC Resources), the University of Adelaide, SA Department for Environment and Heritage and the Friends of Arid Recovery. Copies of this report or further information may be obtained by contacting us or visiting our website. Arid Recovery PO Box 150 Roxby Downs South Australia, 5725 Phone: Fax: arid.recovery@bhpbilliton.com Web: Other major contributors to Arid Recovery in included the following: 2

3 THE ARID RECOVERY TEAM The Arid Recovery team is made up of staff, steering committee members and students. Arid Recovery currently supports four full time positions (Manager, Ecologist, Pest Management Officer and Dingo Research Officer) and four part-time positions (Research Scientist, Maintenance Officer, Education Coordinator and Administrator). STAFF Manager Dr Adam Bester Interim Manager/Research Scientist Katherine Moseby Ecologist Helen Crisp Pest Management Officer Melissa Farrelly Administrator Kasey VanDenBrink Education Coordinator Rebecca Gotch Dingo Research Officer Alex Clarke/Adam Kilpatrick Casual Maintenance Officer Marty Kittel Casual Research Scientist Dr John Read Casual Contractors Nicki Munro Brydie Hill Chris McGoldrick Brandon Mundy Ronald Reid Brenton Arnold Ernie Murray In Kind Support from BHP Billiton Greg Kammermann Peter Paisley STEERING COMMITTEE IN BHP Billiton Chris Schultz (Environment) Vivienne Lambert (Community) Friends of Arid Recovery Katherine Moseby Bree Galbraith Reece Pedler University of Adelaide Dr David Paton Dept for Environment & Heritage Peter Copley Geoff Axford STUDENTS Students from universities around Australia were involved in research projects and other Arid Recovery activities in University of Adelaide Janet Newell (PhD) Arian Wallach (PhD) Adam Kilpatrick (Honours) Karleah Trengove (PhD) University of New South Wales Alex James (PhD) Monash University Justine Smith (Scholarship Student) 1

4 HIGHLIGHTS WOMA PYTHON RELEASE Nine woma pythons were released into the Reserve as a trial in spring This was the first time an Australian snake species has been reintroduced and monitored after release. Results have now been written up for publication. WILD WEST PROGRAM The Wild West program was initiated this year in a 200 square km unfenced area adjacent to the Reserve. The area was subject to intensive fox and cat control and bilbies were released into the area in mid YEAR CELEBRATIONS Arid Recovery celebrated 10 years of successful restoration this year with a reunion dinner and events held over the Easter weekend. The Friends group worked with staff to organise the event which was well attended. John Read (Arid Recovery) & Greg Johnston (Adelaide Zoo) releasing one of the nine Woma Pythons. Photo: Arid Recovery. LANDCARE ARTICLE Arid Recovery featured on the front cover of the national Landcare magazine with a story about feral animal control and research outcomes. The story was well received and positive feedback was obtained. A group photo of all who attended the Arid Recovery 10 Year Reunion Dinner this year. Photo: K. Meredith. PRIME MINISTER S AWARD FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS Arid Recovery was the state winner in the Prime Minister s Awards for Community Business Partnerships. 2

5 THE RESERVE The Arid Recovery Reserve is comprised of five adjoining sections totalling 86 square km; the main exclosure (14 square km), first expansion (8 square km), second expansion (8 square km), northern expansion (30 square km) and the red lake expansion (26 square km). Rabbits, cats and foxes have been removed from the main, first, second and northern areas but are still present at low densities within the red lake expansion. In a new expansion area was under construction, a 37 square km dingo expansion pen which is located adjacent to the northern boundary of the red lake expansion. This new expansion area is currently being used to investigate the relationship between dingos, cats and foxes but will eventually form part of the Arid Recovery Reserve. The total area now fenced within the reserve is 123 square km, making it the largest fully fenced reserve in Australia (Fig. 1). Dingo Expansion Figure 1: Map of whole reserve. 3

6 RAINFALL Below average rainfall was recorded in 2006 and 2007 and only 22mm of rainfall has been recorded during the first half of 2008 (6 month average is 80mm). Significant rainfall events of more than 25mm have only been recorded three times in the last three years and conditions within the Reserve are now the driest since establishment of the Reserve in Mulga shrubs are dropping branches and saltbush shrub death is now being observed. Figure 2 shows annual rainfall since Rainfall (mm) rainfall average Year Figure 2: Annual rainfall recorded at the Reserve

7 NATIVE FAUNA RE-ESTABLISHMENT Four threatened mammal species have been successfully re-introduced into the reserve to date. Re-introductions began in 1998 with the Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) followed by the Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia lesueur) in 1999, Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in 2000 and the Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainville) in The first trial release of Numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) was undertaken in November Five numbats were transferred from Scotia Sanctuary a property in New South Wales owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and released into the Main Exclosure of Arid Recovery. Nine woma pythons were released into the Arid Recovery northern expansion area in spring 2007 in a trial release. Pythons were captive bred by Adelaide Zoo and fitted with radio transmitters. Species Main Exclosure (14km 2 ) Second Expansion (8 km 2 ) First Expansion (8 km 2 ) Northern Expansion (30 km 2 ) Burrowing Bettong 800 (30 released 1999) 200 (8 trans. 2001) 800 (27 trans trans. 2003) Greater Bilby 50 (9 released 2000) 25 (2 released & 13 trans. 2002) 50 (3 released & 3 trans. 2002; 8 released 4 trans. 2003; 15 released 2004) Greater Stick-nest Rat 150 (100 released 1998) 100 (15 trans. 2001) 100 (12 released 7 trans. 2003) Western Barred Bandicoot 80 (10 released 2001) 40 (7 trans. 2005) Numbat 1 (5 released 2005) Table 1: Population estimates as of June 2008 (based on track counts and section size) and transfers to date within the reserve. 5

8 WOMA PYTHON TRIAL RE-INTRODUCTION In a joint initiative between Arid Recovery and the Adelaide Zoo, a trial release of the woma python was conducted in spring 2007 in order to re-introduce a natural predator to the Reserve and possibly assist with population regulation of re-introduced species. BHP Billiton provided additional funds to enable the community to participate in the project. Woma pythons have declined in central Australia and the Arid Recovery Reserve lies within the known historical range as determined by anecdotal information and accepted distribution maps. Due to the considerable geographic variation in woma morphology and potentially genetics, reintroduction of womas of regional provenance was considered a priority. A woma clutch, hatched at Adelaide Zoo in December 2002 to wild caught parents from the Strzelecki Desert of north-eastern SA, provided a source population for the reintroduction. The main objectives of this trial reintroduction of captive-bred woma pythons to the Arid Recovery Reserve were to: determine the key threats to reintroduced womas and the potential for a genetically and ecologically viable reintroduction to assist in the recovery of this threatened species introduce a native predator to assist in population regulation of burgeoning mammal populations within the Arid Recovery Reserve investigate the ecology and behaviour of an inadequately studied snake species develop protocols for reintroduction to the wild of captive-bred pythons An additional desired outcome of the trial woma reintroduction was to provide opportunities for community involvement with Arid Recovery initiatives through educational activities and participation with monitoring the womas. Nine woma pythons bred at the Adelaide Zoo completed the AQIS criteria for release to the wild from captivity including six months quarantine period from other reptiles. The womas were tested for OPMV and were retained in quarantine until their release in 2007 without exhibiting any signs of OPMV. Microchips and radio-transmitters (Holohil, USA) were surgically implanted by veterinary staff at Adelaide Zoo into the abdomen of these womas, when the pythons were 5 years old. All snakes were required to demonstrate that they had fed at least once following transmitter insertion before they were released. Nine woma pythons were released on the 21 st of September A woma display and talk was held in town prior to the release. More than 80 people attended. Womas were released adjacent to bilby holes and radio tracked by staff and volunteers after release. Womas remained in their initial shelter for an average of 28 days, although on several occasions individuals were observed near the entrance of the hole or short tracks were observed indicative of basking. All nine woma pythons died within 3.5 months of release. Three pythons were observed being attacked and killed by Mulga snakes and two of these were then consumed. Mulga snakes were also implicated in all other snake deaths. Woma pythons that were retrieved for autopsy showed signs of recent feeding. Snakes were five years old at release and were captive-bred and this may have contributed to the failure of the pythons to avoid mulga snake predation. 6

9 WOMA PYTHON TRIAL RE-INTRODUCTION CONTINUED The release sparked intense interest and support from the local community. Arid Recovery and the Adelaide Zoo are now investigating the toxicity of mulga snake venom and its effect on Woma pythons and also considering trialing a re-introduction of large adult Woma Pythons captured from the wild. Terry Morley (Adelaide Zoo), John Read (Arid Recovery) and Greg Johnston (Adelaide Zoo) releasing a woma python into the Reserve. 7

10 MONITORING The design of the reserve provides a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of different grazing and predation treatments on the local ecosystem (see Figure 3). Treatments include: reintroduced species only (the Main Exclosure, First and Northern Expansion areas of the reserve); rabbits, cats and foxes (outside the reserve on the mine lease); rabbits, cats, foxes and domestic stock (outside the reserve on pastoral stations). pastoral Rabbits, stations); cattle & dingoes rabbits, cats, foxes, cattle and dingoes (outside the reserve north of the dog fence) and a control with no reintroduced species, rabbits, cats, foxes, cattle or dingoes (Second Expansion). Table 2 shows the distances of transects, the number of sites/animals that were monitored within Arid Recovery between July Red 2007 Lake and Expansion June Rabbits & Reintroduced Spp Rabbits & Cattle. Cattle No Reintroduced Spp. Reintroduced Spp Cat, Rabbit and Fox-Proof Fence Reintroduced Spp Dingo Fence Rabbits Red Lake expansion fence OLYMPIC DAM MINE LEASE BOUNDARY Figure 3: The Arid Recovery Reserve and surrounding land use, showing the treatments available for comparative research. 8

11 MONITORING CONTINUED Method Freq. Total length/area Re-introduced Species No. sites Description Track Transects Quarter 18km 6 Investigate changes in abundance of reintroduced species Cage trapping Annual 84 Annual trapping of bettongs and bilbies to determine population fluctuations External bilby track transects Monthly (from Jan 2008) 22km 11 Determine distribution and abundance of bilbies outside of the reserve Bilby netting Biannual Investigate breeding activity and health of bilbies Removal of bilbies from the Second Opport. Remove bilbies from the Second Expansion Burrow and Nest measurements Every two years Burrow activity Annually 49 Getting revised 70 Observe changes to bettong warrens, bilby burrows and stick-nest rat nests over time. Nest activity Biannual 30 Stick-nest rat nest activity scores and measurements Small Vertebrates Plains Rat monitoring Opport 3 Pitfall/Elliott Sites Annual 20 (dune sites only in Feb. 08) Birds Investigate response of small mammals and reptiles to removal of introduced herbivores and predators. Bird Transects Annual 84km Investigate response of birds to removal of cats and rabbits including increases in structure and vegetation cover and lower predation levels. Mist Netting Annual 2 Investigate site fidelity, longevity and habitat preference of native bird species. Plant Photopoints Annual 48 Investigate regeneration of native plants after removal of rabbits and domestic stock. Seedling damage measurements Weeds Annual 37 Investigate damage to seedlings and larger plants by burrowing bettongs Seasonal/ Biannual Whole Reserve Seasonal and intensive weed monitoring looks over the entire reserve in particular high risk areas for weeds. Table 2: Monitoring conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve from July 2007 to June

12 MONITORING CONTINUED Method Freq. Number Reason Feral Cats, Foxes, Rabbits Spotlight Transect Quarter 6 Investigate the temporal changes in feral animals around the reserve fence line. Internal Track Transects Quarter 9 Monitor for presence of feral animals within the Arid Recovery Reserve External Track Transects Quarter 7 Determine the efficacy of hand baiting trials around the outside of the reserve. Permanent traps (Perimeter & Wild West Program) Daily 20 Determine the temporal changes in cats and foxes around the reserve fence line. Bait Stations Weekly 110 Determine bait uptake during hand baiting trials Fence Fence checks Weekly 1 Check for fence damage Fence audit Annual 1 Monitor fence condition and damage Table 2 continued: Monitoring conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve from July 2007 to June 2008 (Number = distances of transects or number of sites/animals). 10

13 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING BURROWING BETTONG Burrowing Bettong abundance at Arid Recovery continued to increase dramatically in despite the dry conditions currently being experienced. Bettong abundance was assessed through track transects (Fig 4) and annual cage trapping (Table 3). Once again the bettongs made up the majority of captures during annual trapping in 2007 and most of the spoor in the quarterly track transects. Although trap success has not increased significantly over the last 3 years, the number of traps disturbed and closed by bettongs now accounts for almost all of the remaining trap success. We are no longer able to accurately estimate bettong population through cage trapping due to trap saturation and disturbance by bettongs. Bettong disturbance and high numbers is also limiting capture of bilbies, bandicoots and stick nest rats despite track and burrow/nest monitoring indicating healthy populations of these species. It is envisaged that annual cage monitoring will be changed in future to include an increased number of trap nights and a capture-mark-recapture method to allow more accurate estimates of population size. Volunteer from Alice Springs Desert Park assisting with Bettong trapping. Photo: K. Moseby Since March 2008 significant vegetation damage has been observed in the Main and First Expansions caused by bettong browsing. The impacts that the bettongs are having within the Arid Recovery Reserve has prompted appropriate management actions. Over 160 bettongs are currently being removed from the Reserve and released into Red Lake expansion and the Wild West zone outside the Reserve. Long term options are also being investigated including one way gates and reintroducing natural predators. Bettong warren with traps. Photo: K. Moseby 11

14 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED Species 2001 trap success 2002 trap success 2003 trap success 2004 trap success 2005 trap success 2006 trap success 2007 trap success Burrowing Bettong 26.0% 24.0% 42.8% 40.5% 53.6% 46.4% 48.8% Greater Bilby 0% 2.4% 0% 1.2% 3.6% 1.2% 2.4% Greater Stick-nest Rat 2.4% 2.4% 4.8% 0% 1.2% 0% 0% Western Barred Bandicoot 0% 1.2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Total trap success 28.6% 30.1% 47.6% 41.7% 58.3% 47.6% 51.2% Table 3: Trap success of reintroduced species in the Main Exclosure during annual cage trapping. Trap success refers to individuals only; re-captures within a session are excluded. Although trap success has not increased significantly over the last 3 years, the number of traps disturbed and closed by bettongs now accounts for almost all of the remaining trap success tracks per km Main First Northern 50 0 May-00 May-01 May-02 May-03 May-04 May-05 May-06 May-07 May-08 Figure 4: Numbers of Burrowing Bettong tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First Expansion (5.5km transect) and Northern Expansion (16km transect) of the reserve. 12

15 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED GREATER BILBY Greater Bilby abundance continues to fluctuate within the reserve in response to seasonal and local conditions. Greater Bilby abundance was assessed through track transects and annual cage trapping. The population was at its lowest in May 2008 due to the ongoing dry conditions (Fig. 5). Bilby density is expected to rise when significant rainfall events are received. Only two bilbies were captured during annual cage trapping in 2007 (Table 3). Bilby in Cage Trap. Photo: Arid Recovery In August 2007 during a period of high bilby abundance, a second external release of 20 bilbies was conducted into the Wild West zone outside the Reserve. A total of 5 bilbies were removed from the Second Expansion during the reporting period. Currently there is still one juvenile bilby inside the control area (second expansion). Bilby diggings within the reserves. Photo: Arid Recovery tracks per km Main First Northern May-00 May-01 May-02 May-03 May-04 May-05 May-06 May-07 May-08 Figure 5: Numbers of Greater Bilby tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First Expansion (5.5km transect) and Northern Expansion (16km transect) of the reserve. 13

16 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED GREATER STICK-NEST RAT Greater Stick-nest Rat abundance was assessed through track transects and nest activity scores. Greater Stick-nest Rat numbers have been fluctuating over the years but during they increased to record levels in the First and Northern Expansions. Numbers in the Main Exclosure were at their highest level since 2001 (Fig. 6). High numbers at the end of summer are rather unusual but in 2007 these numbers are likely attributed to the high January rainfall and mild summer temperatures which would have allowed many rats from the previous year to survive over the summer. Stick-nest Rat tracks. Photo: Arid Recovery. A total of 20 nests were monitored in the Main Exclosure in 2007 and A total of 10 nests were monitored in the Northern/First Expansions. Figure 7 shows activity levels of the nests. Stick-nest Rat. Photo: D. Blair. Greater Stick-nest Rat nest. Photo: Arid Recovery tracks per km Main First Northern 5 0 May-00 May-01 May-02 May-03 May-04 May-05 May-06 May-07 May-08 Figure 6: Numbers of Greater Stick-nest Rat tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect), First Expansion (5.5km transect) and Northern Expansion (16km transect) of the reserve. 14

17 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED % active nests Main North/First Apr- Sep- Apr- Sep- Apr- Sep- Apr- Sep- Apr- Sep- Apr Figure 7: Greater Stick-nest Rat nest activity within the Main Exclosure (20 nests), and Northern Expansion (3 nests 2005, 10 nests ). 15

18 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED WESTERN BARRED BANDICOOT Western Barred Bandicoot abundance was assessed through track transects and annual cage trapping. No bandicoots were captured during annual cage trapping due to disturbance of traps by Burrowing Bettongs (Table 3). Bandicoot numbers have been fluctuating over the years, with a general increase following winter breeding, followed by a drop in numbers over the hot summer period (Figure 8). However during they increased to record levels in the Main Exclosure with levels remaining high in the months leading up to breeding in winter. Again these high numbers are likely attributed to the high 2007 January rainfall and mild temperatures which would have allowed many bandicoots to survive over the summer. Western-barred Bandicoot Photo: K. Moseby Results for the Northern Expansion are encouraging. It appears bandicoot track counts have been slowly increasing since the release of seven animals in Arid Recovery is still trying to source more animals from Western Australia to increase the genetic variability, but current drought conditions in WA means that no animals are available at present tracks per km Main Northern 10 0 May-00 May-01 May-02 May-03 May-04 May-05 May-06 May-07 May-08 Figure 8: Numbers of Western-barred Bandicoots tracks per kilometre within the Main Exclosure (10km transect) and Northern Expansion (16km transect) of the reserve. 16

19 RE-INTRODUCED SPECIES MONITORING CONTINUED NUMBAT Only one of the five numbats released in November 2005 is still known to be alive. In May 2008 numbat tracks of the only surviving male were observed in the Main Exclosure more than two and a half years after its release in November Numbat abundance was assessed through track transects. Arid Recovery hopes to conduct a second release of numbats in 2009, however sourcing numbers has been problematic and there are limited source stock available. Numbat tracks. Photo: Arid Recovery. Numbat. Photo: Arid Recovery. 17

20 SMALL VERTEBRATE MONITORING Small vertebrate pitfall and Elliott trapping sites are trapped annually to determine changes in the abundance and diversity of small reptiles and mammals. The total number of trap sites is now 39 comprised of 19 swale sites and 20 dune sites (8 control sites, 16 inside sites and 15 outside sites). Sites are comprised of six pitfall traps and 15 Elliott traps set for four nights. All sites were trapped in 2006 but in subsequent years, due to the large number of trap sites, different habitats are trapped in separate years. All swale sites were surveyed in 2007 and in 2008 all dune sites were surveyed. Analysis of results has shown varying responses of small mammal and reptile assemblages to the removal of rabbits, cats and foxes. Rodents, particularly Spinifex Hopping-mice (Notomys alexis) and Bolam s Mice (Pseudomys bolami), increased spectacularly and were five to ten times higher inside the reserve compared with outside sites, where rabbits, cats and foxes are still present (see Figure 9). Checking Elliott traps with excluder device. Photo: K. Meredith During 2008, a total of 335 small mammals and reptiles were captured at dune sites during the four nights of trapping compared with 596 small mammals and reptiles at swale sites in Despite dry conditions leading to a decline in all small mammal captures in 2008, trap success was still almost 10 times higher inside the Reserve than at outside sites. Bettong excluders were modified further in 2008 to reduce the size of the opening and trap disturbance has now declined significantly. Notable captures during 2008 included the nationally threatened Plains Rat (Pseudomys australis) inside the Reserve and 17 species of reptiles at dune sites. Results of annual trapping from 1998 to 2005 have now been accepted for publication in the scientific journal, Austral Ecology and will be published in June Results from 1998 to 2005 suggested that predation by cats may exert a greater influence on rodent numbers than competition from rabbits due to the maintenance of the disparity in rodent responses through dry years and the differences in dietary preferences between rabbits and P. bolami. The presence of the introduced House Mouse (Mus domesticus) or medium-sized reintroduced mammal species did not significantly affect resident small mammal or reptile abundance. Most dasyurids and small lizards did not respond significantly to the removal of feral animals although reductions in gecko and Lerista labialis populations inside the reserve between 1998 and 2005 may be attributable to second order trophic interactions or subtle changes in vegetation structure and cover. Central bearded dragon. Photo: Arid Recovery. Reptile captures did not decline in 2008 despite the dry conditions (Fig. 10). Reptile captures within the Reserve appear to be slowly increasing since the 2005 analysis, a trend which will be investigated statistically during

21 SMALL VERTEBRATE MONITORING CONTINUED average small mammal trap success (%) inside outside control Figure 9: Mean native mammal trap success per site inside (n=8-12), outside (n=8-11) and in the control area (n=4-7) of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate one standard error. Mean number of captures per site inside outside control Figure 10: Mean number of reptile captures per site inside (n=8-12), outside (n=8-11) and in the control area (n=4-7) of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bars indicate one standard error. 19

22 ANNUAL BIRD MONITORING Bird numbers are monitored each year in April by the University of Adelaide and monitored incidentally by Arid Recovery staff and volunteers. A flock of Blue-winged Parrots were recorded in November 2007 inside the Reserve and other interesting sightings included Spotted Nightjars, Hooded Robins, and Bourke Parrots. Dry conditions within the Reserve have meant few breeding events were recorded. The nationally threatened Thick-billed Grasswren has been recorded within the newly established Dingo expansion pen and is inhabiting the Atriplex nummularia shrublands found in this area. During annual bird monitoring conducted by Dr David Paton from the University of Adelaide, the numbers of birds recorded was greatly reduced in April 2008 and about half the density of birds recorded in the previous year. There were no Orange Chats, Crimson Chats or Pied Honeyeaters present in April Many of the resident species were also much less abundant including White-winged Fairy-wrens, Whitebrowed Babblers, Southern Whitefaces, Rufous Calamanthus, Chirruping Wedgebills, Crested Bellbirds, Singing Honeyeaters and Spinycheeked Honeyeaters. Other species that were much less abundant were Richards Pipits, Willie Wagtails, Little Crows, Bourke Parrots, Mulga Parrots and Black-faced Woodswallows. Measuring a singing honeyeater skull. Photo: H. Crisp. Species that primarily feed on seeds were significantly more abundant outside the reserve in April 2008, including Zebra Finches, Crested Pigeons, Galahs, Blue Bonnets, and Mulga Parrots. These data continue to suggest that the granivorous birds may have been disadvantaged by the introduction of bilbies and bettongs and removal of rabbits. Five Domestic Pigeons were also detected (for the first time) foraging for seeds on the ground outside the reserve. These Domestic Pigeons presumably came from the mine or town areas. Chirruping Wedgebills, White-browed Babblers, White-winged Fairy-wrens, Crested Bellbirds and Cinnamon Quailthrushes were more abundant within the reserve than outside, suggesting that predominately ground and shrub-dwelling insectivorous birds may have benefited with the removal of rabbits and introduction of native mammalian herbivores. Changes in abundance between years reflect the dry conditions that prevailed during the latter half of 2007 and into In April 2007, Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa fruited extensively and provided fruits for Pied, Singing and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters and Little Crows. There were no ripe fruit available inside the reserve in April 2008 and only the occasional fruit outside. 20

23 1VEGETATION MONITORING Standard vegetation monitoring (Jessup transects and step point) was not conducted in as results from previous years are being analysed to provide direction on future monitoring requirements. However, cross fence comparisons and photopoints continue to show an overall increase in vegetation cover inside the Reserve. However, since March 2008 significant vegetation damage on some species has been observed in the Main and First Expansions caused by bettong browsing. Plant damage sites were sampled in 2007 and 2008 to determine the impact of burrowing bettongs and other native browsers. Five sites inside the main exclosure (high bettong density) and five sites in the control area (no bettongs present) were sampled for four plant species known to be favoured by bettongs. Vegetation damage such as defoliation, bark stripping, root damage and branch breakage were recorded. Bark stripping, defoliation, digging at the base and breaking of the branches for moisture have all been observed. In 2007 there was low to moderate damage to perennial plants but in 2008 damage was high to severe in the Main (with some shrub death also observed) compared with no damage in the control area. Figure 11: Fence line effect showing more vegetation and seedlings inside Arid Recovery (left) than outside (right) where rabbits are present. Photo K. Moseby. Arid Recovery Ecologist records incidence of bark stripping and branch damage by bettongs. Photo: J. Read. Mulga (Acacia aneura), Native Plum (Santalum lanceolatum) and Sandhill Wattle (Acacia ligulata) were particularly favoured (Fig. 11). The impacts that the bettongs are having within the Arid Recovery Reserve have prompted appropriate management actions. Over 150 bettongs are currently being removed from the Reserve and released into the Red Lake expansion and the Wild West zone outside the Reserve. Long term options are also being investigated including one way gates and reintroducing natural predators. Figure 11: Bark damage to native plums (Santalum lanceolatum) in the main exclosure (bettongs) and control area (no bettongs). 21

24 FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL & MONITORING FERAL CAT INCURSION INTO THE RESERVE During March 2008, cat tracks were detected in the Northern Expansion following quarterly native track transects. The cat was tracked intensively for 26 days before being caught in the Northern Expansion via a soft foot-hold trap set with pongo as a lure. As soon as tracks were detected, the Main Expansion was closed and a staff and volunteer roster was quickly compiled for tracking the cat. Techniques used to try and catch the cat included spotlight shooting, baiting, traps and dragging dunes and following fresh tracks the next day. During the incursion the cat travelled around the north and first expansion spending most of it s time in the north on the vast swale and gibber plain making it difficult to track. The cat is known to have killed at least one plains rat, one western barred bandicoot, one crested pigeon and two hopping mice during it s time in the reserve. Attempts to catch bettongs appeared to have failed with only small tufts of fur found near intersecting bettong and cat tracks. Once euthanased the cat was found to be a 3.5kg, female, tabby with worn teeth and regressed teats. Follow up checks of the reserve continued for a week following the capture to reliably conclude that this was the only cat in the reserve. Following this the main expansion gate was reopened. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE REMOTE CAT TRAPPING SYSTEM The number of permanent soft foot-hold traps outside the fence perimeter increased in 2007 from twelve to twenty. The eight additional traps were set west of the reserve in the Wild West zone to give additional protection to the twenty bilbies released there in August The remote telemetry tracking system for the traps was also upgraded in December 2007 following a partnership founded with remote telemetry company Observant. All 20 traps had a new remote solar powered system set up near the trap which would send signals back to a base station i.e. a computer at our offices. This has allowed traps to be checked either via the office or the internet. Additional upgrades to the system including lures and an electric fence monitor are still being investigated. CAT AND FOX TRAPPING During , 30 cats and 7 foxes were captured in the 20 permanent foot-hold traps over 6340 trap nights (20 traps). Thus trap success for cats was 0.46% whilst trap success for foxes was 0.14% (Fig. 12). Fox trap success has been low since the start of the Wild West program where regular baiting, shooting and trapping are conducted. Relatively low cat captures especially late in autumn can be attributed to the ongoing drought, a decrease in rabbit numbers and more intense management. RED LAKE EXPANSION Despite efforts to eradicate all rabbits and cats from the Red Lake expansion in approximately 5 rabbits and 2-3 cats are still present within the 26 square km red lake expansion area. Fence damage from an echidna may have allowed rabbits to enter the area under the foot netting. 22

25 FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL & MONITORING CONTINUED % trap success cats foxes 0 01-Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul-08 Figure 12: Monthly trap success for foxes and cats in the 20 permanent soft foot-hold traps set around the Reserve. 23

26 WILD WEST PROGRAM During an unfenced integrated pest management zone was established outside the Reserve to the west and south. This area was dubbed the Wild West zone and is the focus of a number of projects outside the Reserve (Fig. 13). Figure 13: The orange area defines the boundary of the 200 square km Wild West zone outside the Reserve. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT TRIALS Following the poor success of aerial baiting for feral cats between 2002 and 2006, integrated control of foxes and cats was trialed in the Wild West zone in Aerial baiting is costly and the effectiveness and cost of alternative methods were compared. Hand baiting was trialed under an experimental licence by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), using Eradicat baits. To evaluate success of the baiting program, fox and cat activity was monitored before and after baiting within the baited zone and in control areas using track counts. Baits were distributed Feral cat in cage trap. Photo: J. Stott. bi-monthly over 200km² at a density of 10 baits/km². Bait stations were set up throughout the baited zone and monitored weekly following each baiting session. Bait uptake was compared with time of year, habitat and species to determine an optimal ground baiting regime. Other control methods trialed included 20 permanent foot-hold traps and shooting. Results suggest that aerial baiting is expensive and that a combination of control methods including permanent trap sites, shooting and ground baiting is more cost effective over an area of 200 square km. The most cost effective control method for foxes was baiting whilst cats were more variable and required a number of different techniques (Table 4). Baiting trials suggested that ground bait density should be increased from 10 to 20 per square km, baiting should be restricted to cooler months and bait should be placed on dunes, creek-lines and near major fence lines. 24

27 WILD WEST PROGRAM CONTINUED CAT Method #Hrs/Cat Cost/Cat Cats/Night Bait Stations Shooting Permanent Foot-hold Traps FOX Method #Hrs/Fox Cost/Fox Foxes/Night Bait Stations Shooting Permanent Foot-hold Traps Table 4: The three most effective methods for controlling each species in terms of number of hours per animal, cost per animal and number of animals per night. Over the last 12 months transect monitoring has shown a significant decrease in fox tracks in the wild west zone following the start of the integrated management trial in July 2007 (Fig. 14). Conversely, despite a decline in trap success in the 20 permanent foot-hold traps, a long term decline in cat track abundance has not been recorded on the track transects (Fig. 15). However, monitoring of cat, fox and rabbit numbers over 2km of transect in the bilby release area (a small area within the wild west zone) show a general decline over the last 12 months in both cat and fox numbers (Fig. 16). These data suggest that in the bilby release area where more intensive management is conducted that the integrated control program is more successful. Figure 14: Fox track abundance (percentage of transects that recorded fox presence) in baited (Wild West) and control areas. 25

28 WILD WEST PROGRAM CONTINUED Figure 15: Cat track abundance (percentage of transects that recorded fox presence) in baited (Wild West) and control areas. # of cat/fox tracks /06/ /07/ /08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2008 Date # of rabbit tracks Cat tracks Fox tracks Rabbit tracks Figure 16: Number of cat and fox tracks recorded within a 2km transect within the bilby release area. BILBY RELEASE In 2004, twelve bilbies were released outside the Arid Recovery Reserve into the Wild West zone with the aim of establishing a wild population. Unfortunately the majority of these bilbies were killed by feral cats. However, some of these bilbies survived for over a year, suggesting that at least some individuals can learn to avoid cat predation. Subsequent research at Arid Recovery has identified that bilbies respond to predator-avoidance training, with trained bilbies exhibiting a heightened sense of awareness and responding to cat odour by changing burrows. Following on from initial predator-avoidance training, a release of 10 untrained and 10 trained bilbies was conducted in 2007 into the Wild West zone. This release was unique to Australia because ten of the twenty bilbies released were predator trained to avoid cats and the other ten were untrained enabling us to investigate survivorship between the two groups. Bilby training followed the methods from the 2005 training that occurred within the Reserve. Scholarship student Justine Smith holds a bilby destined for release outside the Reserve. Photo; H.Crisp 26

29 WILD WEST PROGRAM CONTINUED Bilbies were radio tracked daily for the first month post release and then monthly for the next 4 months. Two bilbies were taken in the first month (one from a wedge-tailed eagle and one from natural causes) and one was taken by a cat four months post release. There was no significant difference between survivorship of the two groups. This population is now monitored through monthly track transects. There are still bilbies currently surviving on the outside in the Wild West Zone but in low densities. Juvenile bilby tracks have been recorded but attempts to catch individuals have failed. Survivorship of juvenile animals will be the focus of future monitoring. 27

30 RESEARCH CURRENT RESEARCH Arid Recovery conducts research under four broad research priorities but in , research focussed on two main areas; 1) Managing populations within the reserve to allow natural dispersal and prevent overstocking and 2) Re-establishing threatened species outside the reserve. Major projects addressing the first priority area included monitoring the health of plants within the reserve to determine indicators of overstocking, and the re-introduction of a native predator (Woma Python) in an attempt to control populations of re-introduced species. Projects addressing the second area of research (re-establishment of species outside the reserve) included the use of dingoes in the control of feral cats and foxes, integrated pest management trials to the west of the reserve and the release of predator trained and untrained bilbies outside the Reserve. Whilst some research is conducted by Arid Recovery staff, other research is in collaboration with external agencies. Arid Recovery continued to maintain strong links with the University of Adelaide and S.A. Arid Lands NRM board and also collaborated with the Uni of NSW and W.A. D.E.C. (formerly CALM) as well as the Adelaide Zoo. Arid Recovery s popular student scholarship program continued in with one research student completing a 12 week placement. Justine Smith monitored predator trained and untrained bilbies after release outside the Reserve. One University of Adelaide honours student (Adam Kilpatrick co-supervised by Dr John Read) completed a project studying the use of satellite imagery to determine land condition and obtained first class honours. One PhD student from the University of Adelaide (Janet Newell co-supervised by Katherine Moseby) submitted her thesis studying the effect of burrowing bettongs and greater bilbies on the soil seed banks, one PhD student (Alex James) from the University of N.S.W. continued her research into the effects of foraging pits on invertebrates and soil characteristics and one new PhD student (Karleah Trengrove) from the University of Adelaide started a new project using Arid Recovery as one of her study sites. Eight third year undergraduate students conducted two studies at Arid Recovery as part of their course, the demographics of bilby populations within the Reserve and the habitat preference of the Western Barred Bandicoot. Four research papers were accepted for publication in and two others were submitted to scientific journals. A full list of Arid Recovery publications can be found in Appendix A. University of Adelaide undergraduate students conducting a study on bilby demographics within the Reserve. Photo: Arid Recovery. 28

31 RESEARCH CONTINUED RESEARCH PRIORITIES 1) Document and differentiate between the restoration of ecological processes after the removal of feral animals and the re-introduction of locally extinct species. Papers completed in Moseby, K.E., Hill, B.M. & Read, J.L. (accepted, Austral Ecology). Arid Recovery- A comparison of reptile and small mammal populations inside and outside a large rabbit, cat and fox-proof exclosure in arid South Australia. Newell, J. (PhD thesis) The effects of reintroduced mammals on the soil seed bank of arid zone systems Munro, N., Moseby, K.E. and Read, J.L. (submitted Rangeland Journal) The effects of grazing by native, introduced and reintroduced herbivores on perennial seedling growth and survivorship. Read, JL, Carter, J., Moseby, K.M., and Greenville, A. (2008) Ecological roles of rabbit, bettong and bilby warrens in arid Australia. Journal of Arid Environments Projects in progress Hill, B., Moseby, K.E. and Read, J.L (in prep) Changes in vegetation composition, cover and recruitment within the Arid Recovery Reserve James, A.I. (PhD thesis) The importance of foraging pits to the landscape function of arid ecosystems. 2) Research the ecology of threatened and significant species and formulate monitoring and re-introduction protocols Papers completed in Bester, A.J., and Rusten, K., (submitted Australian Mammalogy) A trial release of numbats into the Arid Recovery Reserve. Bice, J. and Moseby, K.E (accepted Australian Mammalogy) Comparison of the diet of the Burrowing Bettong and Greater Bilby. Batsiokis, M., B, Kaczan, D., Lawley, E. and Shepard, R. (2007). Bilby demographics at Arid Recovery. School of Earth and Environmental Science, Adelaide Uni. Arid Recovery Technical Report 2007 (4). Smith, J. (2007) Does predator-training increase the survival of bilbies outside the Arid Recovery Reserve? Arid Recovery Technical Report 2007 (3) Read, J.L. and Kilpatrick, A.D. (accepted, in press) Improved conservation status of Atriplex kochiana. Trans.R. Soc. S. Aust. Projects in progress Moseby, K.E., Hill, B.M (in prep) Designing an optimum monitoring program for Burrowing Bettongs, Greater Bilbies, Western-barred Bandicoots and Greater Stick-nest Rats within the Arid Recovery Reserve. Moseby, K.E., Lavery, T. and Coates, R. (in prep) Comparative success of re-introduction methods and source populations Oxenham, K. and Moseby, K.E. (in prep) Trial re-introduction of the Western Barred Bandicoot; health, survival, breeding and habitat use 29

32 RESEARCH CONTINUED 3) Identify indicators of overstocking of threatened species within the reserve and explore options for maintaining desired population levels. Papers completed in Crisp, H.A. (2008) Bettong Damage inside Arid Recovery. Arid Recovery Technical Report 2008 (3). Read, J.L. (2008). Woma Re-introduction Trial at Arid Recovery. Arid Recovery Technical Report 2008 (1). Projects in progress Crisp, H.A., (In Progress) Survival of predator trained and untrained wild bilbies (to be submitted in 2008). Crisp, H.A., (In Progress) Comprehensive one way gate trials (field work in progress). 4) Develop and improve methods for feral animal control. Papers completed in Farrelly, M., Moseby, K.E. and Bester, A. (2008) Integrated Pest Management outside Arid Recovery. Arid Recovery Technical Report 2008 (2). Moseby, K.E., Stott, J., and Crisp, H. (submitted Wildlife Research) Improving the effectiveness of poison baiting for the feral cat and European fox in northern South Australia: The influence of movement, habitat use and activity. Projects in progress Moseby, K.E., Read, J.L., Stott, J., Hill, B., Galbraith, B (in prep) Aerial cat baiting trials Read, J.L. (in prep) Effect of RCD on rabbit demography and breeding season Read, J.L., Briffa, J. (in prep) Optimum trap effort for eliminating rabbits Wallach, A. (PhD Thesis). Dingoes and their interaction with mesopredators. Kilpatrick, A., (In Progress) Pen trials to determine the effectiveness of dingoes in the control of feral cats and foxes (field work in progress). 30

33 RESEARCH - CONTINUED RESEARCH PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS DINGO PEN TRIALS Arid Recovery is conducting a research project to experimentally test the effects of the native dingo on the introduced predators present throughout Australia s arid zone. Currently, anecdotal evidence suggests that dingos may out compete and suppress cat and fox abundance, however, there has been a call for more robust experiments to test this hypothesis. So far initial logistical work has been undertaken, with a 37 square km pen now under construction and due for completion in August Billa Kalina Pastoral Station have also kindly donated A feral cat wearing a radio collar. Photo: Arid Recovery. land for the pen and Mulgaria Pastoral Station are allowing us to use part of their land as a control area. We have undertaken initial monitoring of dingo, cat, fox and rabbit abundance using track and warren surveys. Abundance is measured both inside the pen and in control areas to provide baseline data. Cats within the pen are currently being radiocollared and carcass dumps are being prepared for observational studies. During a pack of three dingoes will be captured, radiocollared and placed in the pen to determine their impact on the resident cat population. PLAINS RAT MONITORING AT ARID RECOVERY Plains Rat. Photo: Helen Crisp The Plains Rat, Pseudomys australis, is a medium sized (50-80g) arid zone rodent. It was once found in a variety of habitats throughout southern Australia but in recent times has declined considerably. It is now restricted to gibber or flood plains of arid South Australia and neighbouring regions of the Northern Territory. It is classed as nationally vulnerable and threatened in South Australia. Plains Rats are known to eat predominately seeds as well as vegetable matter and insects. Plains Rats were first recorded inside Arid Recovery during Annual Trapping in February 2006 and since then numerous opportunistic sightings have been recorded inside the Reserve. In Annual Trapping 2007 Plains Rats were again trapped but this time on sand dunes. Recent records of Plains Rats are from cracking clay soils and gilgais so recording Plains Rats on sand dunes was unusual and may be due to the absence of introduced predators allowing them to occupy different habitat. Plains Rat populations fluctuate greatly in response to local conditions and for this reason populations can be very difficult to monitor. Arid Recovery compared five different survey methods commonly used for small mammal monitoring: spotlighting, Elliot trapping, hair tubes, burrow searches and track transects to ascertain which method was best for detecting Plains Rats at low densities. Track transects and spotlighting yielded very low detection rates. Elliot trapping and hair tubes proved more effective despite the dry conditions. More studies are now being conducted on hair tubes to determine the optimum size, location of tape and bait type. If successful hair tubes may be used in future surveys for this species throughout arid Australia. 31

34 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FRIENDS OF ARID RECOVERY The Friends of Arid Recovery (FAR) now has over 260 member households with members from as far afield as the USA, Germany, Spain, Brazil, New Zealand, Netherlands, UK, Germany & Chile. Membership includes BHP Billiton employees, primary, secondary and tertiary students, local pastoralists, general public, Ethical Investment Company of Australia, 4WD Clubs and local businesses. The group coordinates volunteer involvement in Arid Recovery, staffs information displays, organises fundraisers and conducts working bees. The Friends group runs annual open days out at the Reserve, guides tag-along tours of the Reserve, assists with checking cat traps, spotlighting, annual trapping for small mammals and reptiles, hide feeding, fundraising and more. 10 YEAR CELEBRATION During the Friends of Arid Recovery organised a 10 year celebration over the Easter weekend. Past and present staff, students and volunteers attended the event which included an open day, fully catered evening dinner, Sunday brunch, mural painting and a trip to Lake Mary on the Sunday. Around 80 people attended the event which paid tribute to the enormous effort that staff and volunteers have contributed to the project since its inception. 1 Long term volunteer Rusty placing his hand print on the mural. Photo: Arid Recovery. Staff, students and volunteers during the 10 year celebrations commemorate the site where the last rabbit was removed from the 60 square km exclosure. 32

35 AWARDS Arid Recovery volunteers, partners and staff have been consistently recognised for their hard work and success through winning several awards and being chosen as a finalist or highly recommended for others (Table 5). In Arid Recovery was winner of the S.A. Landcare Nature Conservation Award and is now a finalist in the national awards to be presented in Canberra in late Arid Recovery also won the regional SA Great award for Science and Conservation. Greg Kammermann (Friends of Arid Recovery), Adam Bester (Arid Recovery) and Frank Harris (BHP) receiving the Prime Minister s Award for community business partnerships. Photo: Arid Recovery. Helen Crisp (right) receiving the S.A. Great regional award for Science and Conservation. Photo: Arid Recovery S.A. Landcare Nature Conservation Award S.A. Great Regional Award -Science and Conservation Prime Minister s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships Business category EMR ecological restoration project award SA Great Regional Award for Science and Environment BHP Billiton HSEC Award 2005 Banksia Environmental Awards Landcare Community Awards 2004 KESAB Award for Environmental Excellence Friends Of Parks Special Award for Pest Animal Control UN World Environment Day Awards 2003 State Winner Winner State Winner Pending Winner Highly Commended Finalist Finalist Winner Winner Finalist Prime Minister s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships State Winner KESAB Award for Environmental Excellence Winner Bushcare Nature Conservation Awards Finalist Landcare Community Awards Finalist UN World Environment Day Awards : - Excellence in Land Management Finalist - Best Community Based Environmental Project Finalist Banksia Foundation Awards Finalist 33