Prepared for the Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra.

Transcription

1 , Western Barred Bandicoot Perameles bougainville bougainville, Burrowing Bettong Bettongia lesueur lesueur, Banded Hare-wallaby Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus, and Rufous Hare-wallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus bernieri and Lagorchestes hirsutus dorreae. Prepared for the Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra. By Jacqueline D. Richards CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Private Bag No. 5 Wembley WA 6913 August 2003 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by whatever means is prohibited without the prior written knowledge of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. Inquiries should be addressed to and copies are available from: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Private Bag No. 5, Wembley WA 6913

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents 1 List of tables and figures 3 General overview and scope of the report 4 Part A: Species information and general requirements 7 Taxonomy and description of species 7 Conservation status 10 Objects of the EPBC Act 10 International obligations 11 Affected interests 11 Role and interests of indigenous people 15 Benefits to other species 15 Social and economic impacts 17 Part B: Distribution and location 18 Distribution 18 Habitat critical to the survival of the species 23 Mapping of habitat critical to the survival of the species 26 Important populations 29 Part C: Known and potential threats 33 Biology and ecology relevant to threatening processes 33 Identification of threats 37 Areas under threat 44 Populations under threat 44 Part D: Recovery objectives, performance criteria and actions 45 Prior conservation measures 45 Overall recovery objectives and performance criteria 49 Specific recovery objectives and performance criteria 49 Recovery actions and performance criteria 55 Timelines for recovery actions 67 Part E: Management practices 70 1

3 Part F: Duration of recovery plan and estimated costs 71 Priority, duration and estimated costs of recovery actions 71 Resource allocation 75 Acknowledgments 76 References 77 Appendix 87 Appendix A: list of visits to Bernier and Dorre Islands 87 2

4 List of tables and figures Table 1: Summary of source, translocations and recent known to be alive (KTBA) size of reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials. 29 Table 2: Summary of source, translocations and recent known to be alive (KTBA) size of captive breeding populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials. 30 Figure 1: Shark Bay, Western Australia, showing the location of Bernier, Dorre, Dirk Hartog and Faure Islands, Denham, Peron Peninsula, Useless Loop and Heirisson Prong. Inset shows the location of Shark Bay. 6 Figure 2: Past and present distribution of the western barred bandicoot. 19 Figure 3: Past and present distribution of the burrowing bettong. 20 Figure 4: Past and present distribution of the banded hare-wallaby. 22 Figure 5: Past and present distribution of the rufous hare-wallaby. 23 Figure 6: Current and proposed sites for the reintroduction of threatened Shark Bay marsupials. 28 3

5 General overview and scope of the report Bernier and Dorre Island in Shark Bay, Western Australia (Figure 1), are home to five species of mammal that are nationally threatened under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, and the IUCN Red List (2002). The western barred bandicoot Perameles bougainville is classified as 'Endangered', and the burrowing bettong Bettongia lesueur, banded hare-wallaby Lagostrophus fasciatus, rufous hare-wallaby Lagorchestes hirsutus, and the Shark Bay mouse Pseudomys fieldi, are classified as 'Vulnerable'. The Shark Bay island populations represent the only remaining natural populations of the western barred bandicoot, banded hare-wallaby, rufous harewallaby and Shark Bay mouse. Each of these species was formerly distributed across Australia, but is now extinct on the mainland. They are thought to have disappeared due to a combination of predation by introduced species (the European fox Vulpes vulpes and feral cat Felis catus), and habitat destruction and alteration, due to agriculture and pastoral use, the impact of the introduced European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, and changes in fire regimes. All five species have been translocated to mainland sites, and the burrowing bettong, banded hare-wallaby and Shark Bay mouse to island sites, with mixed success. A Recovery Plan for the Shark Bay mouse was implemented from 1992 to 2001 (Morris et al. 2000), but there are no current recovery plans for the other species. This report will focus on the Shark Bay island subspecies of the western barred bandicoot Perameles bougainville bougainville, burrowing bettong Bettongia lesueur lesueur, banded hare-wallaby Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus, and rufous harewallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus bernieri and Lagorchestes hirsutus dorreae. A number of reintroductions of these species have taken place in the last decade, and further reintroductions are planned for the future. This report will assist in the production of a Recovery Plan and in determining the priorities for actions necessary to support the recovery of these threatened species, thereby maximising their chances of long-term survival. Much information about each of these species has been collected through past recovery actions, and is now available within this report, to assist in the preparation of a national Recovery Plan and to support future recovery actions. A multi-species approach to recovery planning is supported by Environment Australia (Revised Recovery Plan Guidelines June 2002), where species occur in the same area and have closely related requirements based on their habitats, threats or recovery actions. The Shark Bay subspecies of all four species and their remaining habitat are currently protected on Bernier and Dorre Islands Nature Reserves (Class A Reserve No 24869) vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia (Hancock et al. 2000). Day use of Bernier Island is permitted, however overnight recreational use is prohibited, and Dorre Island is a prohibited area with access by permission only (Hancock et al. 2000). Scientific papers detailing the biology of each species on Bernier and Dorre Island have been published by Short et al. (1998), Short and Turner (1999), and Richards et al. (2001). The distribution and abundance on the islands have been detailed in papers by Short and Turner (1992, 1993) and Short et al. 4

6 (1997b). Reintroductions of burrowing bettongs and western barred bandicoots to Heirisson Prong in Shark Bay have been documented by Short and Turner (2000) and Richards and Short (2003). Reintroductions of burrowing bettongs and western barred bandicoots to the Arid Recovery Project in South Australia was reported by Arid Recovery Project (2001) and Arid Recovery Project (2002), and reintroduction of banded hare-wallabies to Francois Peron National Park was reported by Morris et al. (2003). A recent reintroduction of burrowing bettongs to Faure Island in Shark Bay was conducted by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) (Parsons et al. 2002). Captive populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials are held at Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc., the Peron Captive Breeding Facility, and the Dryandra Captive Breeding Facility in Western Australia, and the AWC properties, Yookamurra Sanctuary in South Australia, and Scotia Sanctuary in New South Wales. A workshop on disease in western barred bandicoot populations was hosted by DCLM in July 2002, after the discovery of symptoms of two diseases in wild and captive populations led to concerns regarding the conservation of this species and others (Friend 2002). Information from these publications has been incorporated into this report. The recovery actions outlined in this report pertain primarily to the range of the species within the Shark Bay region, however recovery actions under way or planned in other regions of Western Australia and in South Australia are mentioned also. There is potential also for actions to be expanded to areas of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, encompassing the former range of these threatened species. Much of the Shark Bay region falls within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Other management documents which have direct bearing on the actions described in this report include The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Monotremes and Marsupials (Maxwell et al. 1996), the Shark Bay Terrestrial Reserves Management Plan (Hancock et al. 2000), the Shark Bay Region Plan (State Planning Commission and Department of Conservation and Land Management 1988), the Heirisson Prong Community Biosphere Reserve Management Plan (Short 1999b), the Faure Island Pastoral Lease Management Plan (Australian Wildlife Conservancy 2002b), report on Refugia for Biological Diversity in Arid and Semi-arid Australia (Morton et al. 1995), the Djoongari (Shark Bay Mouse) Recovery Plan (Morris et al. 2000), and the Mala Recovery Plan (Langford 2001). 5

7 Figure 1: Shark Bay, Western Australia, showing the location of Bernier, Dorre, Dirk Hartog and Faure Islands, Denham, Peron Peninsula, Useless Loop and Heirisson Prong. Inset shows the location of Shark Bay. Bernier Island Carnarvon Dorre Island Dirk Hartog Island Peron Peninsula Heirisson Prong Denham Faure Island Useless Loop km 6

8 Part A: Species information and general requirements Taxonomy and description of species Western barred bandicoot The western barred bandicoot was first described from a specimen taken at Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay by naturalists Quoy and Gaimard on the Uranie in Local populations of the species have been referred to by a variety of names including P. bougainville, P.b. bougainville, P. b. notina, P. arenaria, P. myosura myosura, P. myosuros myosuros, P. myosura notina, and P. fasciata (Gould 1844; 1863; Krefft 1866; Glauert 1933; Wakefield 1963; Friend 1990; Friend and Burbidge 1995), creating some confusion in the taxonomy of the group. The mainland forms are now extinct and few specimens exist in museums, providing little opportunity to clarify the past nomenclature. All these forms are now regarded as P. bougainville (Friend 1990; Friend and Burbidge 1995). There are currently two subspecies recognised: P. b. bougainville on Bernier and Dorre Islands, and the extinct mainland form P. b. myosura (Maxwell et al. 1996). No genetic studies have been carried out on this species, and limited morphological data suggest that the current classification is appropriate (Short et al. 1998). The western barred bandicoot Perameles bougainville Quoy and Gaimard 1834, is a member of the Family Peramelidae, and is one of the long-nosed bandicoots of the genus Perameles. It is the smallest bandicoot, with an average weight of 219 g (Short et al. 1998). It is solitary and nocturnal, sheltering during the day in concealed nests. Nests are made in a small hollow dug amongst litter under shrubs. Litter, grasses and other vegetation are used to line an inner chamber. Bandicoots emerge at late dusk to forage for insects and other small animals, seeds, roots and herbs obtained by digging or hunting (Friend and Burbidge 1995; Visser 2000). The species has been extinct on mainland Australia since the 1930s (Brooker 1977; Richards and Short 2003), but survives on Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Western barred bandicoots are delicate, lightly built animals, with long noses, and large erect ears. Their feet are elongated, with the second and third toes of the hind feet being syndactylus (partially fused) and reduced in size, while the fourth toe is long and strongly clawed. Their fur is grizzled, brown-grey in colour, and they are distinguished by darker brown-black bars radiating downwards over the sides of the body from the back. The chin, throat, belly, tops of the feet, and the inner part of the limbs are white (Jones ; Ovington 1978). Burrowing bettong The burrowing bettong was first described by naturalists Quoy and Gaimard in 1824, from a specimen collected on Dirk Hartog Island in Shark Bay by de Freycinet on the Uranie in The species was named after Charles Alexandre Lesueur, artist on board the Geographe, exploring the Shark Bay region for the French in 1801 (Horner 1987). Several forms have been identified, including B. l. lesueur from Bernier and Dorre Islands, and an undescribed subspecies from Barrow and Boodie Islands (those from Boodie Island were unintentionally eradicated in 1985 during a program to rid 7

9 the island of black rats, and reintroduced from Barrow Island in 1993 (Morris 2002)). Dorre Island animals are typically larger than those on Bernier Island, Barrow Island animals are considerably smaller than those on the Shark Bay islands, and the island animals appear to be smaller than their mainland counterparts (Short and Turner 1999). Felicity Donaldson, a PhD student from the University of Western Australia, proposes to examine this taxonomy. The extinct mainland subspecies have been referred to as B. l. graii from south-west Western Australia, and B. l. harveyi from the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, however the validity of this nomenclature is not generally accepted (Burbidge 1995). The burrowing bettong is one of the rat-kangaroos and a member of the Family Potoroidae. They are nocturnal and omnivorous, and are social animals, living in communal warren systems (Sander et al. 1997). They are unusual in that they are the only macropod to build and inhabit burrows. They are medium sized, with an average weight of 1300 g and a pugnacious disposition. The last museum record of its occurrence on mainland Australia was in 1942 in south-western WA (Kitchener and Vicker 1981), however there is evidence of its persistence until the 1960s in central Australia (Burbidge et al. 1988). Wild populations survive on Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, and on Barrow Island, in Western Australia. Burrowing bettongs are characterised by a short blunt head, with small rounded and erect ears. They are yellowy-grey in colour, though the ventral surface tends to be lighter, while the legs, feet and tail are more yellow in colour (Jones ). In some animals the tail has a distinctive white tip. Banded hare-wallaby William Dampier first described the banded hare-wallaby in The species was assigned to the monotypic genus Lagostrophus by Thomas (1886) due to differences in external characters with other hare-wallabies in the genus Lagorchestes. It is the only survivor of the large group of at least 20 species of sthenurine (short faced kangaroo) macropods that existed in the Pleistocene (Flannery 1983), characterised by their lower and upper incisors biting together. Two subspecies have been described: L. f. fasciatus from Bernier, Dorre and possibly Dirk Hartog Islands, and L. f. albipilis from the south-west of Western Australia (Maxwell et al. 1996). Both the Dirk Hartog Island and the mainland populations are presumed extinct. Animals on Dorre Island have a shorter pes length than those on Bernier Island, but no other morphological, chromosomal or blood allozyme differences between the two island populations have been found (Courtenay 1993; Richards et al. 2001). This lack of difference provides support for the existing taxonomy, which does not distinguish between the two island populations. The banded hare-wallaby is characterised by a series of dark transverse bands across its lower back and rump, which led to its first description by William Dampier in 1699 as a Sort of Raccoon. In all other species of hare-wallabies, and in fact, in all other macropods, the rumps are unbanded, and the lower incisors bite behind the upper incisors. The last specimen from mainland Australia was collected in 1906 (Shortridge 1909; Short and Turner 1992), but the species survives on Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. 8

10 Little of the biology and habits of the banded hare-wallaby are known, due to its rapid demise from the mainland after European settlement. The Bernier and Dorre Island populations have provided the opportunity to study the species in their natural habitat. Adults weigh an average of 1600 g and there are no differences in body weight, hind foot length, head length, crus length, tail length and diameter or head/body length between the sexes (Richards et al. 2001). They are herbivorous, and dependent upon dense thickets of shrubs and heath for shelter (Short and Turner 1992). Rufous hare-wallaby The rufous hare-wallaby was described in 1844 from specimens obtained by John Gilbert in south-western Western Australia (Gould 1844). There are currently three subspecies recognised: Lagorchestes hirsutus hirsutus from mainland Australia, L. h. bernieri from Bernier Island, and L. h. dorreae from Dorre Island (Thomas 1907; Maxwell et al. 1996). Courtenay (1993) found differences in cranial morphology between the island populations and central and western Australia mainland populations, and suggested that the extinct L. h. hirsutus described from the York district of south-west Western Australia may be a separate subspecies to the undescribed L. hirsutus from central Australia. Two small wild populations remained until recently in the Tanami Desert but were extirpated in 1987 and The only surviving animals from these populations are now housed in captivity (Monarto Zoological Park in South Australia, Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Arid Zone Research Institute, the Watarrka National Park, and Alice Springs Desert Park in the Northern Territory, and Dryandra Field Breeding Facility, and the Peron Captive Breeding Facility within François Peron National Park in Western Australia; Langford 2001) or have been translocated to a secure site on Trimouille Island in the Montebello Islands off the Pilbara Coast in Western Australia (Burbidge et al. 1999). A reintroduction to Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay was not successful (Morris et al. 2003). The species survives only as wild populations on Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. There are no captive populations of Bernier or Dorre Island stock. Note: for the purposes of this report, the Bernier and Dorre Island subspecies will be referred to collectively as rufous hare-wallabies, excluding the mainland subspecies, unless otherwise stated. The Dorre and Bernier Island subspecies are larger than those from central Australia, and have a shorter tail (Johnson and Burbidge 1995). Dorre Island animals have a shorter pes length, shorter tail length and longer head length than animals on Bernier Island (Richards et al. 2001). Bernier Island animals have shorter ears and are paler in colour, while Dorre Island animals are redder in colour and their skull is narrower between the orbits than the mainland form (Troughton 1967), supporting the original separation of the two island subspecies (Thomas 1907). The rufous hare-wallaby is one of the true hare-wallabies. It is one of the smaller macropods, which, like all the hare-wallabies, received its name from its supposed resemblance to the hare (Strahan 1995) and the rufous colour of their long, soft fur (Johnson and Burbidge 1995). The species has an average weight of 1750 g and there 9

11 are no differences in body weight, hind foot length, head length, crus length, tail length and diameter or head/body length between the sexes (Richards et al. 2001). The species is herbivorous, and has been found throughout Bernier and Dorre Islands in habitat dominated by heath, dunes, and Triodia hummock grassland (Short and Turner 1992). Rufous hare-wallabies shelter during the day in small scrapes, half hidden beneath bushes or spinifex clumps (Shortridge 1909). On Bernier and Dorre Islands they may use single-entrance burrows of about one metre in length and 30 cm depth (Short and Turner 1992). On the mainland they have been found in areas dominated by mature Triodia (Bolton and Latz 1978), low scrub (Gould 1863), and spinifex-mulga country (Finlayson 1935). They tend to be solitary animals, however there was some evidence of social organisation within animals maintained in a captive colony (Lundie-Jenkins 1993b). Conservation status The western barred bandicoot is listed as nationally Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and the burrowing bettong, banded hare-wallaby, and rufous hare-wallaby are classified nationally as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. Under the EPBC Act, species listed as threatened (which include the Endangered and Vulnerable categories) are considered to be matters of national environmental significance. Actions that have, will have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on a listed threatened species are not to be undertaken without approval from the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the western barred bandicoot as Endangered, and the burrowing bettong, banded hare-wallaby, and rufous hare-wallaby as Vulnerable (IUCN 2002), as does the Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes (Maxwell et al. 1996). Each of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials is listed under Schedule 1 fauna that is likely to become extinct or is rare under Section 14(2) ba of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act Objects of the EPBC Act This report has been prepared with consideration of the objects of the EPBC Act, which are: a) to provide for the protection of the environment, especially those aspects of the environment that are matters of national environmental significance; and b) to promote ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources; and c) to promote the conservation of biodiversity; and d) to promote a co-operative approach to the protection and management of the environment involving governments, the community, land-holders and indigenous peoples; and e) to assist in the co-operative implementation of Australia s international environmental responsibilities; and 10

12 f) to recognise the role of indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of Australia s biodiversity; and g) to promote the use of indigenous peoples knowledge of biodiversity with the involvement of, and in cooperation with, the owners of the knowledge. International obligations The western barred bandicoot, burrowing bettong, banded hare-wallaby, and the rufous hare-wallaby all occur within the Shark Bay World Heritage property, inscribed in 1991 and maintained under the World Heritage Convention. Actions that have, will have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the world heritage values of a declared World Heritage property are not to be undertaken without approval from the Commonwealth Environment Minister. To obtain approval, the action must undergo a rigorous environmental assessment and approval process. The world heritage values of a property are "the natural heritage and cultural heritage contained in the property" (Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972). The primary management objectives for World Heritage properties, which are part of Australia's general obligations under the World Heritage Convention, and are: a) to protect and conserve the World Heritage values of the property; b) to integrate the protection of the area into a comprehensive planning program; c) to give the property a function in the life of the Australia community; d) to strengthen appreciation and respect of the property's values through education; and e) to take appropriate scientific, technical, legal, administrative and financial measures necessary for achieving these objectives. The western barred bandicoot, burrowing bettong, banded hare-wallaby, and the rufous hare-wallaby are listed under the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1975) Appendix I (2003), as a species threatened with extinction for which international trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Affected interests Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management The Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (DCLM) is responsible for conserving the rich diversity of native plants, animals, natural ecosystems, and many of the unique landscapes of Western Australia. DCLM is responsible for the conservation of all native species in Western Australia, whatever their location. In particular, at Shark Bay DCLM is responsible for the management of Bernier and Dorre Islands, and the Francois Peron National Park, and their resident wild, captive and reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials. DCLM manage a program, Project Eden, that aims to reconstruct and rejuvenate an entire, ailing ecosystem on the 105,000 hectare Peron Peninsula, by controlling introduced 11

13 predators and reintroducing a suite of native fauna (Morris et al. 2003). DCLM are responsible also for the management of the 24,000 hectare Dryandra Woodland and its surrounding area, about 160 km south-east of Perth in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The Dryandra Woodland Management Plan (Friend et al. 1995) proposed the reintroduction of native animals that were once found in Dryandra, and the Return to Dryandra project was established in order to reintroduce threatened marsupials, including the western barred bandicoot, burrowing bettong and banded and rufous hare-wallabies. Australia s general obligations under the World Heritage Convention are outlined in the International obligations section above. The lead agency for managing the Shark Bay World Heritage property is DCLM. Formal submission of a Recovery Plan for the species outlined in this report for adoption under the EPBC Act is at the discretion of DCLM. Australian Wildlife Conservancy The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a national, independent, non-profit organisation committed to saving Australia's native wildlife from the very real threat of extinction via a national network of sanctuaries managed for conservation, scientific research and public education (Australian Wildlife Conservancy 2002a). The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is responsible for the management of Faure Island, a 5,800 hectare pastoral lease within the Shark Bay World Heritage Property, and its resident reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials. The island is free of introduced predators and currently has a fledgling population of reintroduced burrowing bettongs. AWC are responsible also for the management of 5,000 hectare Yookamurra Sanctuary in South Australia, and 65,000 hectare Scotia Sanctuary in New South Wales, both of which have a captive population of burrowing bettongs. Scotia Sanctuary also has a captive population of the mainland rufous harewallaby. The intention at these properties is to establish free-ranging and selfsustaining populations of these species. Useless Loop Community Biosphere Project Group Inc. The Useless Loop Community Biosphere Project Group Inc. (ULCBPG) is responsible for the management of Heirisson Prong and its resident reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials the burrowing bettong and western barred bandicoot (Parsons et al. 2002). Heirisson Prong is a 1,200 hectare peninsula fenced at its base to exclude introduced predators and dedicated to nature conservation, education and recreation (Short 1999b). Conservation efforts are a result of partnerships between the ULCBPG, local mining company Shark Bay Salt Joint Venture (SBSJV) and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. Arid Recovery Project The Arid Recovery Project (ARP) is responsible for the management of the 6,000 hectare ARP reserve near Roxby Downs in South Australia and its resident reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials the burrowing bettong and western barred bandicoot. The project aims to facilitate ecological restoration of an arid ecosystem through partnerships between mining, pastoral, tourism and conservation organisations. Other aims include researching the restoration of 12

14 ecological processes and providing opportunities for education and training (Arid Recovery Project 2002). Conservation efforts are a result of a partnership between the local community, WMC Resources, South Australian Department for Environment and The University of Adelaide. Tourism Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the Shark Bay region and is focussed strongly on the region s unique natural environment. Tourism accounted for 16% of economic activity in the Gascoyne region between 1997 and 2000; greater than retail trade, mining, fishing (all 14%), horticulture (6%) and pastoralism (5%), and second only to construction (19%; Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Gascoyne Development Commission 2001). It is likely that an increased awareness of the plight of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials, combined with the future possibility of viewing the animals in their natural habitat, will enhance the attraction of the Shark Bay region as a tourist destination. Actions associated with the recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials are unlikely to impact negatively on tourism. The status of existing Nature Reserves is unlikely to change in their level of accessibility. However, increased opportunities in National Parks such as Francois Peron National Park are likely to compensate for the exclusion of tourism from Nature Reserves such as Bernier and Dorre Islands. Mining Recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupial populations occurs within the vicinity of salt harvesting operations carried out by Shark Bay Salt Joint Venture (SBSJV). A number of recovery actions under way or planned are supported by the mining company, both due to the reintroduction of threatened Shark Bay marsupials adjacent to their existing mining lease and within their current pastoral lease, and financially. The majority of actions associated with the recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials are unlikely to impact negatively on mining interests in the region. However, in areas where introduced predators are controlled, rabbit numbers may increase and affect the efficacy of mine site rehabilitation via the destruction of vegetation and soil erosion due to warren construction, and increase nutrient input into crystallisation and evaporation ponds via rabbits drowning in the flume, which channels water from the primary to secondary pond systems. Rabbit control measures such as 1080 baiting, myxomatosis and the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease may assist in reducing the impact of rabbits within the mine site. Pastoral Recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupial populations occurs within existing pastoral leases, Carrarang Station and Faure Island. Dirk Hartog Island is currently a pastoral lease also, however DCLM have proposed a contract of purchase and associated change in land tenure from pastoral lease to National Park (see Benefits to other species section below). Actions associated with the recovery of threatened Shark Bay marsupials are generally unlikely to have a negative impact on pastoral activities as the two tend to be spatially separate. Broad scale fox control may offer benefits in terms of pastoral production, by reducing the loss of livestock. For example, Carrarang, Tamala, Nanga and Coburn Pastoral Leases in the Shark Bay region have existing 1080 baiting programs to control foxes. However, it is likely that the threatened Shark Bay marsupial populations would benefit from the eradication of 13

15 introduced livestock (sheep and goats) at all current and potential reintroduction sites, including Faure Island, Dirk Hartog Island and Edel Land. Neither Faure Island or Edel Land are currently used for commercial sheep production, and the importance of sheep for income-earning within the Dirk Hartog Island enterprise is declining. The increasing importance of the sustainable harvest of feral goats to the economy of several pastoral properties in the area may result in the maintenance of high population levels. This in turn, would have the potential to adversely effect conservation of any reintroduced populations of threatened Shark Bay marsupials on adjacent conservation estate by compromising control efforts in these areas. Shark Bay community It is likely that many of the actions associated with the recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials outlined within this report may increase community knowledge, pride and involvement in the conservation of the threatened mammal species and their habitat, and other native fauna within the Shark Bay region. In particular, opportunities for employment would be well received. Plans for a World Heritage Interpretive Centre at Denham in Shark Bay have been considered, which are likely to assist in promoting community support and participation. Actions outlined within this report are unlikely to impact negatively on the resident human communities within the Shark Bay region, in particular the township of Denham, and the mining community of Useless Loop. The communities of Useless Loop and Denham currently have restrictions on the presence of unsterilised domestic cats, and are educated about the presence and use of 1080 poison in the region. It is important to maintain community education for new residents, and any changes to current practice would require investment in community consultation, to prevent tension often associated with domestic cat control policies, and the distribution of 1080 poison. The use of 1080 has been blamed for the death of domestic dogs at Useless Loop and Denham, and reduces the accessibility of locations within pastoral leases for recreational pursuits with pets. The Shark Bay Shire Council are not involved directly with the conservation of threatened Shark Bay marsupials, but maintain a community-based interest and support for the recovery of these species (Bryan Cane, Shark Bay Shire Councillor, pers. comm.). Other organizations Other organizations involved or with the potential to become involved in the conservation and management of the threatened Shark Bay marsupials, either directly within the Shark Bay region, via translocations of animals sourced from the Shark Bay region, through animal husbandry, conservation education or research interests include: Environment Australia (EA), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Perth, Western Australia. Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc., Gooseberry Hill, Western Australia. Murdoch University School of Veterinary Science, Western Australia. Earth Sanctuaries Limited (ESL), Adelaide, South Australia. WWF, Perth, Western Australia. 14

16 Threatened Species Network, Perth (TSN), Western Australia. Shark Bay World Heritage Community Consultative Committee, Western Australia. Shark Bay World Heritage Scientific Advisory Committee, Western Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH), South Australia. Monarto Zoo, South Australia. Other universities such as the University of Frankfurt, Queensland University of Technology, Michigan State University, Edith Cowen University School of Environmental Science. Role and interests of indigenous people There are indigenous people, as defined by the EPBC Act, residing in the communities of Denham and Useless Loop, including members of the Yadgalah Aboriginal Corporation based in Denham. Darren Capewell, Manager of the Yadgalah Aboriginal Corporation from Denham, Shark Bay, was consulted in June 2003 and expressed a general interest in becoming involved with the implementation of actions associated with the recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupial species and their habitat outlined in this report. OR (Darren Capewell, Manager of the Yadgalah Aboriginal Corporation from Denham, Shark Bay, was consulted in June 2003 and expressed the view that in general, the local indigenous people have no specific interest or wish to become involved in the implementation of actions associated with the recovery of the threatened Shark Bay marsupial species and their habitat outlined in this report, other than as general members of the Shark Bay community (as described in the Affected interests section above.), and in seeking employment opportunities. Useless Loop community member Thomas Wear is an indigenous person who is directly involved in actions related to the conservation of threatened Shark Bay marsupials as a committee member of the ULCBPG. However, he is recognised as a community representative, rather than an indigenous representative. Indigenous people from outside the region have been employed and trained by CSIRO to assist with management of the Heirisson Prong project. The Yadgalah Aboriginal Corporation were involved in the early stages of this process. The DCLM Indigenous Trainee program employs two indigenous personnel at Shark Bay, whose work programs include involvement in a number of Project Eden activities. Benefits to other species Actions associated with the recovery of threatened Shark Bay marsupials may benefit a wide range of other native fauna and flora species within the Shark Bay region. The control of introduced predators at reintroduction sites will benefit many critical weight range mammal species (small to medium sized mammals weighing between 35 and 5,500 grams, many of which have declined or become extinct in the last 200 years 15

17 since European settlement of Australia; Burbidge and McKenzie 1989), and may facilitate reintroductions of other species of threatened fauna. For example, greater stick-nest rats Leporillus conditor have been reintroduced at Heirisson Prong (Richards et al. 2001), malleefowl Leipoa ocellata at Peron Peninsula (Morris et al. 2003), and bilbies Macrotis lagotis, greater stick-nest rats at the ARP (Arid Recovery Project 2002), and Shark Bay mice at Faure Island (Australian Wildlife Conservancy 2002). The pale field rat Rattus tunneyi has increased in distribution and abundance since the control of introduced predators at Heirisson Prong and the adjacent Carrarang Station, and now represents one of the last remaining arid/semi-arid zone populations of the species. The abundance of a number of species of native marsupial and rodent, the little long-tailed dunnart Sminthopsis dolichura, ash grey mouse Pseudomys albocinereus, and sandy inland mouse Pseudomys hermannsburgensis has increased at Heirisson Prong as a direct benefit of predator control, compared with the loss of small mammals in adjacent areas with fox control only (Risbey et al. 2000). Predator control on Peron Peninsula has also been associated with increased abundance of a number of reptile species (e.g. Gould s monitor Varanus gouldii, bobtail skink Tiliqua rugosa, thorny devil Moloch horridis), the echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus, and several other threatened species that occur in the region (e.g. thickbilled grasswren Amytornis textilis, southern woma python Aspidites ramsayii; C. Sims pers. comm.). Sites where foxes as well as cats are actively controlled or eradicated, such as Heirisson Prong and Faure Island provide opportunities for the release of other species of threatened mammal, such as the banded and rufous harewallabies. The ARP has significantly more vegetative cover and five times the population of small native mammals inside the reserve compared to sites outside the reserve (Arid Recovery Project 2002; K. Moseby pers. comm.). The control of introduced predators may benefit pastoral pursuits also. Over the summer months of early 2003 at Carrarang Station in Shark Bay, it was estimated that over 80% of young goats were lost to predation by foxes (T. Millar pers. comm.). With the instigation of ground baiting for foxes using 1080, it was hoped that goat recruitment would increase. Plans for the wide-scale aerial baiting of Carrarang Station have been discussed. Research into reintroduction techniques may assist in the conservation of other threatened mammals in Australia and elsewhere. Conservation agreements with landholders may benefit the long-term security of sites within Shark Bay for the conservation of threatened mammals and their habitat. Two sites where such an agreement has been discussed are: Heirisson Prong the local mining company Shark Bay Salt Joint Venture, Carrarang Station leaseholders Shark Bay Resources Pty Ltd (SBR) and the ULCBPG have discussed a proposal for a conservation agreement and potential change in land tenure from pastoral lease to conservation estate with DCLM. Dirk Hartog Island DCLM have proposed a contract of purchase and associated change in land tenure from pastoral lease to conservation estate (National Park) prior to the expiry of the existing pastoral lease in Faure Island AWC are interested in the potential for changes to lease conditions to benefit the future of the reintroduced threatened species. 16

18 A significant increase in public awareness is likely to be generated by the construction of the Shark Bay World Heritage Interpretive Centre at Denham. The only perceived negative impact of a recovery action outlined in this report to nontarget species or ecological communities, are the uptake of new, more palatable cat baits by non-target species such as the reintroduced threatened mammals, goannas, native mice, rodents, crows and birds of prey, and the potential for the introduction of disease at reintroduction sites. Monitoring to determine the uptake and impact of novel baits by non-target species is required prior to any wide-scale use of baits for management of feral cats in the Shark Bay region. Research into non-target bait uptake has been carried out at Heirisson Prong by CSIRO and Peron Peninsula by DCLM. The development of a felid-specific toxin is under way. Its use would negate issues surrounding non-target uptake of baits. A disease risk management strategy is to be developed by DCLM that will benefit a broad spectrum of native species. Social and economic impacts Mining The actions outlined in this report are in general unlikely to impact negatively on existing mining operations undertaken by SBSJV on Heirisson Prong. However, there is concern about the critical build up of rabbits as a result of predator management, as described above in the Affected interests section. Pastoral The success of reintroductions to pastoral areas such as Edel Land may be impaired by existing pastoral activities on Carrarang Station. In particular, populations of freeranging goats and sheep may not be compatible with retaining the vegetative cover that is necessary for harbouring native fauna and conferring protection from predators; whether it is species that are nationally threatened or locally abundant. Pastoral activities on Dirk Hartog Island and Faure Island may be incompatible with the conservation of threatened marsupials. However this would cease to be an issue with a change in land tenure on Dirk Hartog Island to conservation estate, and given the conservation objectives of the current leaseholders of Faure Island (AWC) is unlikely to be of concern. Tourism Tourism is now regarded as the major industry in Shark Bay (Reark Research et al. 1995). Dorre Island is currently inaccessible to tourists. Bernier Island is accessible for day visits by boating traffic in the area (usually local) and Heirisson Prong is accessible only to local residents and their visitors, or through organised Landscope Expedition visits by DCLM due to its status as a closed mining community with no public access. In previous years, the Useless Loop community and CSIRO hosted international Earthwatch Institute visits to Heirisson Prong, however this program ceased in DCLM continues to run annual Landscope Expeditions to Peron Peninsula. Faure Island is currently inaccessible to tourists but future plans (beyond the next five years) could include the implementation of a managed visitor program 17

19 (Australian Wildlife Conservancy 2002b). With appropriate management by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, limited access to the island should only benefit the conservation of threatened Shark Bay marsupials at this site, by providing financial assistance and educational opportunities. Peron Peninsula is accessible to tourists and has seen an increase in the number of visitors since the inception of Project Eden from 10,000 during the 1993/4 financial year to 51,034 during the 2001/2 financial year (DCLM Denham visitor statistics). A long-standing aim has been to increase the length of stay of tourists in the region by providing opportunities to view a variety of native wildlife, in addition to the highlyvisited dolphins at Monkey Mia. Shark Bay community See Affected interests section above. 18

20 Part B: Distribution and location Distribution Western barred bandicoot Western barred bandicoots were widely distributed across the southern mainland of Australia at the time of European settlement but have survived only on Dorre and Bernier Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. They occurred in a broad arc from Onslow on the north-west coast of Western Australia, through the Western Australian wheatbelt, Nullarbor Plain, and arid and semi-arid South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales to the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales. At the time of the collection of the first specimen at Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay they were regarded as common (Quoy and Gaimard 1824 in Ride and Tyndale-Biscoe 1962). The last records of the species on mainland Australia were at Mt Crombie in South Australia in 1931, at Rawlinna in Western Australia in 1929, and at Ooldea in South Australia in 1922 (Kitchener and Vicker 1981; Copley et al. 1989; Friend 1990). Figure 2: Past and present distribution of the western barred bandicoot (adapted from Strahan 1995, and including historical and subfossil records) and locations of last collection of specimens at 1) Rawlinna, 2) Ooldea, and 3) Mt Crombie Present Distribution Former Distribution Remnant populations of western barred bandicoots on Dorre and Bernier Islands are small ( combined minimum population estimate for both islands) and 19

21 subject to substantial fluctuations due to weather (Short and Turner 1993; Short et al. 1997b). The western barred bandicoot was reintroduced to Heirisson Prong at Shark Bay in 1995 (Richards and Short 1997; Richards and Short 2003), and to the Arid Recovery Project at Roxby Downs in South Australia in 2000 (Arid Recovery Project 2002). Captive populations are housed at Peron Peninsula, the Dryandra Captive Breeding Facility, Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc. in Perth, and Monarto Zoo in South Australia. Details of these reintroductions are given in the Important populations section below. Burrowing bettong Burrowing bettongs were widely distributed across the southern two-thirds of mainland Australia at the time of European settlement. Their distribution ranged from north-west Western Australia to the western slopes of New South Wales near Bourke (Short 1998; Short 1999a). The species now occurs naturally only on Bernier, Dorre, and Barrow Islands (Short and Turner 1993). These remnant populations are small ( per island) and subject to substantial fluctuations due to weather (Short and Turner 1993; Short et al. 1997b). Figure 3: Past and present distribution of the burrowing bettong (adapted from Strahan 1995, and including historical and subfossil records). Present Distribution Former Distribution The species was reintroduced from Dorre Island to Heirisson Prong at Shark Bay in 1992 (Short et al. 1994; Short and Turner 2000), from Barrow Island to Boodie Island in 1993 (36 were reintroduced; population estimated to be animals in 2000; 20

22 K. Morris pers. comm.) after their accidental eradication in 1985 (Morris 2002), and from Heirisson Prong to the Arid Recovery Project at Roxby Downs in 1999 (Arid Recovery Project 2002) and Faure Island in 2002 (Table 1). The population on Heirisson Prong has been extant for over ten years, although is currently threatened by a reinvasion of feral cats (J. Short unpublished data). The other three reintroduced populations are currently free of introduced predators. All are likely to be selfsustaining if the sites can be maintained free of exotic predators. Other reintroductions from the Lake Phillipson area of South Australia to Kangaroo Island in 1924 (Finlayson 1958), from Barrow Island to the Gibson Desert in 1992 (Christensen and Burrows 1994), and from Bernier Island to Yookamurra Sanctuary in South Australia in 1995, were unsuccessful (Short et al. 1992; Short and Turner 2000). Captive populations are currently held at the Dryandra Captive Breeding Facility and Yookamurra and Scotia Sanctuaries (Table 2). Rufous hare-wallaby Rufous hare-wallabies were once distributed through much of the western half of mainland Australia, including the interior of Western Australia, northern South Australia, and central and southern Northern Territory (Johnson and Burbidge 1995). Finlayson (1961) described the distribution as fluctuating and discontinuous and with isolated colonies widely sundered, suggesting that the distribution had declined already. Two small populations of rufous hare-wallabies remained in the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory until the late 1980s, surviving in areas characterised by a tight mosaic of vegetation in various stages of fire succession, including areas of burnt and unburnt spinifex (Bolton and Latz 1978). One population was destroyed by a fox in 1987 and the other by wildfire in 1991 (Gibson et al. 1994b). Mainland stock survive in captivity and are held to facilitate reintroductions (Maxwell et al. 1996). The species has survived as wild populations only on Dorre and Bernier Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Populations on Bernier and Dorre Islands were estimated at approximately 3,100 and 3,200 respectively by Short et al. (1997b). They noted substantial fluctuations in numbers, presumably due to rainfall, in surveys conducted three years apart. No Bernier and Dorre Island stock are held in captivity. Rufous hare-wallabies L. hirsutus unnamed subsp. (central mainland) were introduced to Trimouille Island in the Montebello Islands Conservation Park in 1998 from the Mala Paddock in the Tanami Desert (Burbidge et al. 1999). The same subspecies was introduced to Peron Peninsula at Shark Bay in 2001, but this reintroduction failed primarily due to cat predation (Morris et al. 2003). Captive populations of this subspecies are maintained at Monarto Zoological Park, Western Plains Zoo, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Arid Zone Research Institute, Alice Springs Desert Park, Scotia Sanctuary, Dryandra Field Breeding Facility and François Peron National Park (Langford 2001). The Mala Paddock in the Tanami Desert has recently been de-commissioned and animals transferred to a new fenced area at Watarrka National Park. 21