The role of AR ecologist is one of the most essential in the organisation. As we farewell Helen Crisp, we make way for a new beginning.

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1 SPRING 2012 Newsletter Inside this edition: 1 Manager s introduction 2 Friend or Foe 4 The AR ecologists 5 Staff profile Open Day 7 Buffel Busters 8 Calendar of events INTRODUCTION A new beginning The role of AR ecologist is one of the most essential in the organisation. As we farewell Helen Crisp, we make way for a new beginning. BY KYLIE PIPER LIVING AND breathing the Arid Recovery Reserve every day, as we do, we often forget the wonders it can behold. A recent visit from members of the Australian Mammal Society on their post-conference tour reminded us all just how special the Reserve is. Watching internationally renowned ecologists and mammal researchers scurry on hands and knees for a glimpse of a bettong or a hopping mouse, to us common place occurrences as the Reserve, reinforced to me the importance of the work that we are doing. In late July we bid a very fond farewell to our long-serving ecologist, Helen Crisp. With a tear in her eye Helen said goodbye to a swag of volunteers and friends at the Reserve and headed from the red dunes of Roxby to the cold (and snow) of a Canberra winter. The role of ecologist at Arid Recovery is esential to our work in research and conservation and the many people who have held the position The AR Reserve at dusk Photo by: David Paull over the years have made their mark, not just on AR but also on the world of ecology and conservation around Australia. We wish Helen all the best in her new position and know that the bettongs at Muligans Flat in the ACT are in good hands! Our new ecologist, Catherine Lynch, comes wo us with a passion for the arid zone and we are sure that she will take the position on with great enthusiasm. NEWSLETTER Spring AR_Spring2012.indd 1 10/23/2012 3:19:58 PM

2 REPORT Dingoes: friend or foe? The last five years have seen some interesting research into dingoes of the arid zone. BY ANNI WALSH & HANNAH SPRONK A WIDE ARR AY OF theories and opinions surround dingoes - should they be classed as native and how significant is their impact on pastoralism? A number of studies have been completed and findings published in recent years about the role dingoes play in the protection of threatened species. Many visitors and researchers ears prick up when the words dingo project are mentioned, and with the completion of the first phase near, we thought it was time to share some of the preliminary results. Fencing of the 37km2 Dingo Pen, the last addition to the Reserve, was completed in The aim of the project was to determine what role (if any) dingoes play in controlling introduced predators such as cats and foxes. Not only would this be great for feral control, as many of our native species are vulnerable to these introduced predators, it would also have implications for threatened species management in the arid zone. The dingo project officially got underway NOW Dingoes, cats and foxes placed in the Dingo Pen for the project with activity and interactions monitored. 2 in December 2008, with a pair of dingoes captured on adjacent Stuart Creek Station and placed into the Dingo Pen. The next step was recording the activity of feral cats and foxes in the pen to see the effect dingoes had on them. During the months of April through to October 2009, six feral cats and seven foxes were captured in the surrounding area, and placed into the Dingo Pen. All predators inside the dingo pen, including the dingoes, cats and foxes, were fitted with tracking collars which recorded the locations of the animals. The researchers were able to download this data for analysis, making sure the animals were still in the Dingo Pen and looking at habitat preferences and how different animals interacted. All seven of the foxes released into the dingo pen were found dead within 17 days of release. It is believed that all of their deaths can be attributed to dingoes. Necropsies (an autopsy for animals) were performed by veterinarians from Zoos NEXT The dingoes from the project will be captured and removed. Monitoring of cat and fox behaviour without dingoes will continue. A rare photo of a dingo out during the day, captured by one of our remote cameras. Photo by: Arid Recovery. The inside out Dingo Pen fence The fence around the Dingo Pen is the same design used throughout the rest of the Reserve, just back to front! To ensure the dingoes, cats and foxes placed inside the enclosure are not able to escape during the project, the floppy top was positioned inside the pen, rather than outside. The size of the Dingo Pen is also important. 37km2 was determined to be the average home range that a pair of dingoes would inhabit in an arid ecosystem. LATER Potential to re-introduce a small number of native animals, such as bettongs along with dingoes, cats and foxes and monitor behaviour. ARID RECOVERY AR_Spring2012.indd 2 10/23/2012 3:20:02 PM

3 REPORT Collar coding There are a few components to the tracking collars we use on our animals. GPS: think of this like a tiny version of the navigation system you use in your car, or the GPS you use for geocaching. It uses satellites to record a location of the animal every two hours. This data can be downloaded onto a computer for analysis. all seven of the foxes released into the dingo pen were found dead within 17 days. SA, and the evidence they found such as broken leg muscles and ribs, provided the data required to determine the deaths were most likely due to dingoes. It took a little longer for the cats to be removed by the dingoes, 123 days in total. Determining the demise of the cats was a little more difficult. Using evidence such as locations from the tracking collars and tracks in the area surrounding the cat, researchers were able to conclude that dingoes had been responsible for at least three out of the six deaths. On the surface, it seems quite clear that dingoes do a pretty thorough job of controlling feral animals, taking out 100% of the foxes and 50% of the cats. The dingoes did not consume the carcasses though, rather it is believed they may have been considered possible competition for food. Preliminary findings, whilst only a start, provide us with hope that dingoes could potentially be used to suppress cat and fox numbers in the wild. This control of feral predator populations could be of some benefit to native threatened species. Before we get too excited and begin tearing down the dog fence, we first must investigate if the benefits of dingoes controlling feral predator populations, outweighs the predation they will have on threatened species. The next stages of the Arid Recovery Dingo Project will hopefully shed some light on this. i For further information on the Dingo Project or any other Arid Recovery research visit A dingo of the arid zone. Reece Pedler placing a GPS collar on a sedated dingo involved in the project. Photos by: Katherine Moseby One of the dingoes invovled in the project with the tracking collar. Photo by: Arid Recovery VHF: a radio transmitter within the collar that allows us to track the animal in real time. Each collar has a different frequency, so we can track individual animals using a VHF receiver and antenna. Ethics: any collar that we fit to an animal is less than 5% of its body weight to ensure it does not change behaviour or cause injury such as rubbing around the neck. Mortality sensor: this will sound a different frequency of beeping if the transmitter has not moved for 24 hours. NEWSLETTER Autumn AR_Spring2012.indd 3 10/23/2012 3:20:04 PM

4 AR ECOLOGISTS Ecologist Jenny Stott holding one of the numbats from the trial release in The AR ecologists have worked not only on planning the threatened species reintroductions, but are also responsible for designing and implementing the post release monitoring programs to ensure survival. Photo by: Arid Recovery. Project coordinator Brydie Hill who worked with Arid Recovery from , processing a Burrowing Bettong. Photo by: Arid Recovery. AR Ecologists From poop to paperwork, the Arid Recovery ecologists get to see it all. BY HANNAH SPRONK W ORKING AS THE AR ecologist isn t all about handling the cute endangered animals and heading off for a morning stroll across the dunes. Those who have worked here will most likely tell you the hours can be long and tiring. Arid Recovery started off with strong arid zone knowledge in founders John Read and Katherine Moseby, injecting as much of their knowledge as possible into a range of researchers and staff. Arid Recovery initially operated as a small team of field contractors and project officers such asn Katherine Moseby and Adam Kilpatrick undertaking ecologist duties, with Jenny Stott becoming the first official ecologist in She took on everything from pest control to maintenance and still managed to stay up to date with the ecology requirements of the role. With her departure, and the growing Reserve, this position was split. Helen Crisp became the ecologist and a separate role created for a maintenance and pest control officer. Our ecologist now gets to spend a lot of time outside, assessing plants and animals, taking measurements, photos, asking questions and gathering data. They also spend time at their desks, analysing this data to determine if there are any trends and what this means for Arid Recovery and the next stage of research. The strong science background that our ecologists and researchers have provided us with, makes us the leader in conservation that we are today. 4 i If you would like to learn more about the staff at Arid Recovery visit ARID RECOVERY AR_Spring2012.indd 4 10/23/2012 3:20:07 PM

5 STAFF PROFILES Goodbye Ms Crisp IN JULY 2012 one of Arid Recovery s longest serving employees, ecologist Helen Crisp sadly said her farewells to staff, volunteers and animals of the Arid Recovery Reserve. Beginning with Arid Recovery in 2006, Helen made a desert change and moved up to Roxby Downs. Her original planned stay of 6 months turned in to close on 6 years, after accepting the ecologist position. Hailing from chilly Victoria, Helen relocated to Roxby Downs as the Arid Recovery student, recently completing an undergraduate degree majoring in botany and zoology, before completing a honours in ecology. When offered the ecologist position, she jumped at the chance to learn from predecessor Jenny Stott. Helen ensured the continuation of the AR monitoring programs, from the annual small mammal and reptile trapping in February through to track transects and vegetation photo point monitoring. As well as the ecologist role she also had a hand in feral control, the training of volunteers and took a number of scholarship students under her wing. She was also lucky enough to be involved in some Arid Recovery milestones, such as the trial release of Woma Pythons and the development of the dingo project. Her story of excitement as she radio tracked a Woma Python, only to find him being eaten by a large Mulga snake, is one that keeps visitors to the Reserve amused and a few on their toes. Helen has now taken up a research officer position with the Australian National University, working on a project reintroducing Eastern Bettongs to a reserve in the Canberra area. Whilst she may have taken a while to re-adjust to the working conditions in snow rather than 40 or 50 degree heat, she is thoroughly enjoying her new role. Her lightning speed, swan-like movements across the dunes and her passion for arid zone conservation won t be quickly forgotten by the AR staff and volunteers. Helen Crisp setting up a pit fall trap during 2012 annual trapping. Photo by: Hannah Spronk A Cat at AR! Our new ecologist learns the ins and outs of the AR Reserve - and not to trust cute bettong faces. DON T PANIC, it s not Felis catus! This is Catherine Lynch, the new Arid Recovery ecologist. Hailing from Adelaide, Cat has always enjoyed the outdoors and growing up loved getting her hands dirty. It was a natural progression from learning about the unique native plants and animals of our environment and how to protect them to studying Environmental Science at the University of Adelaide. Her previous job saw her working as an ecologist for a private environmental consultancy company. That role took her to the far corners of South Australia, and she says she thoroughly enjoys working in the arid zone. I m really excited about moving to Roxby. I love heading out to the arid region so the prospect of being able to wake up in it every day is pretty exciting, says Cat. When asked what was the part of the job she is most looking forward to, Cat responded with Being part of such a renowned conservation and research initiative, and being able to work with amazing plants and animals. We knew she would fit into the team when asked what three things she would need to have when stuck on a tropical island and she replied with, Music, beer and a box of Elliott traps to catch critters. If she is still keen to take a box of Elliott traps after experiencing the mayhem of February trapping, we will definitely know she is a keeper! New ecologist Catherine Lynch starting with Arid Recovery in mid October. Photo by: Kylie Piper NEWSLETTER Spring AR_Spring2012.indd 5 10/23/2012 3:20:12 PM

6 OPEN DAY Visitors enjoying the sunshine after a walk to the viewing platform on Open Day. Conquering the big sand hill and beating everyone to the viewing platform. Photos by: Stewart Jones Open Day Fifteen very successful years of Arid Recovery were celebrated with volunteers, staff and visitors. BY HANNAH SPRONK Y OUNG, OLD AND all ages in between came to celebrate fifteen successful years at the Arid Recovery Open Day on a sunny Sunday in August. The BBQ was sizzling with kanga bangas for the afternoon, and the kids club was busy building a giant Wedge- tailed eagles nest. A few artists were also discovered on the day, with arid zone plant and animal collages being created. Some local long term volunteers gave up their time to help out on the day. The return of KJ Kovak and Pete Paisley as tour guides was a highlight for a lot of visitors. A wealth of knowledge was imparted with first hand stories of the initial building stages of the Reserve, and the first reintroductions that took place. It wasn t long before Macca Bilby made an appearance, helping the children to celebrate the day and cut the birthday cake. The day couldn t have taken place without the help of our dedicated volunteers and sponsors, with their ongoing support we can look forward to another successful 15 years. Works of collage art were created by some of the younger visitors on the day. Photo by: Stewart Jones SUPPORTED BY: Special thanks to our supporters for this years Open Day event. 6 ARID RECOVERY AR_Spring2012.indd 6 10/23/2012 3:20:19 PM

7 BUFFEL BUSTERS Buffels of fun Local volunteers are joining forces with Arid Recovery to bust Buffel grass from the Roxby Downs community. A R I D R E C OV E RY S TA F F a n d volunteers, with the support of BHP Billiton and the local community have begun the task of eradicating the invasive Buffel grass on their patch. Several working bees have been held over the past few months, clearing plants from roadsides in and around town. The weed thrives after a small amount of rain and has a seed head that is easily dispersed when conditions dry up. Volunteers must ensure they remove all traces of the plant. This includes digging up the entire plant, including the roots, cutting seed heads and spraying or controlled burning of select plants. Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) was introduced into northern Australia to improve pastures for cattle and areas around central Australia for dust suppression. It has also unfortunately proven effective in taking over ecosystems, easily out competing other native species for resources and cover. Increasing fuel loads, Buffel grass has the power to increase the frequency and intensity of bush fires. This is a risk, particularly in the area surrounding Roxby Downs, as the local vegetation has not adapted to such fire regimes. Local trees, such as Myall and Mulga which take hundreds of years to grow, would be killed by fires fuelled by Buffel grass. The Buffel Busters are working from Woomera through to the Arid Recovery Reserve, scouring roadsides and shrub land in between to discover and remove any new infestations. i For further information about Buffel grass Volunteer Rowan Carroll helps out at a Buffel Busting working bee recently. Photo by: Hannah Spronk or to register your interest in taking part in the control visit A GIFT TO SAVE A SPECIES For just $25 you can assist the Arid Recovery bettong population. Includes a one year certificate of adoption and a complimentary Arid Recovery membership. Visit or call ADOPT A BETTONG FOR XMAS NEWSLETTER Spring 2012 AR_Spring2012.indd /23/2012 3:20:23 PM

8 UPCOMING EVENTS For more information on any Arid Recovery events visit or call Saturday October 20 October and November Arid Recovery Reserve 5pm- 9pm Arid Recovery Reserve 6pm & 8:30pm Snap a photo of one of the AR Big Four and enter it into the 2012 Roxby Downs Amateur Photography Competion. Book through the VIC on Take part in a custom tour and enjoy a glass of wine whilst watching the sunset. All proceeds go towards threatened species reintroductions. Photography Workshop Saturday November 17 Market Day Richardson Place, Roxby Downs 9am- 12pm Your chance to adopt a bettong as a Christmas gift for a loved one, saving a species at the same time. Wine & Cheese night Saturday December 1 Roxby Downs Christmas Pageant Richardson Place, Roxby Downs 7pm- 12am Enjoy the Christmas festivities with the AR crew and Roxby community. Macca Bilby at the 2011 BHPB Family Day Photo by: Perri Carter Thankyou to the sponsors and supporters of Arid Recovery: Arid Recovery is a conservation initiative supported by BHP Billiton, the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, the University of Adelaide and the local community. Thanks to the many businesses who continue to support the work of Arid Recovery: Special thanks to the following people who have volunteered their time over the past few months: Alliance Airlines Blackwoods Coates Hire Cowell Electric Ernst & Young Global Leadership Foundation Group GH Janet Bennett Peter Bennett Rowan Carroll Perri Carter Travis Gotch Travis Hague Col Heckenberg 8 Kelly&Co Lawyers MFP Insurance Monadelphous Engineering The Monitor Newspaper ODT Australis RoxFM Transpacific Ellen Ingold Jeff Ingold Stewart Jones Kovac Family Chris McGoldrick Kevin Mooney Yvetter Mooney Paisley Family Ben Parkhurst Reece Pedler Katy Read Rhyan Family Luke Sanders Jacqueline Sproule ARID RECOVERY AR_Spring2012.indd 8 10/23/2012 3:20:27 PM