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Cowen S, Sims C, Ottewell K, Knox F, Friend T, Mills H, Garretson S, Rayner K, Gibson L. Return to 1616: Multispecies Fauna Reconstruction Requires Thinking Outside the Box. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2762. [PMID: 37685026 PMCID: PMC10486414 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Conservation translocations have become increasingly popular for 'rewilding' areas that have lost their native fauna. These multispecies translocations are complex and need to consider the requirements of each individual species as well as the influence of likely interactions among them. The Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project, Return to 1616, aspires to restore ecological function to Western Australia's largest island. Since 2012, pest animals have been eradicated, and conservation translocations of seven fauna species have been undertaken, with a further six planned. Here, we present a synthesis of the innovative approaches undertaken in restoring the former faunal assemblage of Dirk Hartog Island and the key learnings gathered as the project has progressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul Cowen
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Colleen Sims
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
| | - Kym Ottewell
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia;
| | - Fiona Knox
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Tony Friend
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Albany, WA 6330, Australia;
| | - Harriet Mills
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, South Perth, WA 6951, Australia;
| | - Sean Garretson
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
| | - Kelly Rayner
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
| | - Lesley Gibson
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia; (C.S.); (F.K.); (S.G.); (K.R.); (L.G.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia;
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Bradley HS, Craig MD, Tomlinson S, Cross AT, Bamford MJ, Bateman PW. Ecological Considerations When Designing Mitigation Translocations: An Australian Reptile Case Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2594. [PMID: 37627385 PMCID: PMC10451732 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Translocation science has made considerable progress over the last two decades; however, reptile translocations still frequently fail around the world. Major knowledge gaps surround the basic ecology of reptile species, including basic factors such as habitat preference, which have a critical influence on translocation success. The western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia) is used here as a case study to exemplify how empirical research can directly inform on-ground management and future translocation planning. A combination of studies, including LiDAR scanning of microhabitat structures, camera trapping, plasticine replica model experiments and unbounded point count surveys to assess predation risk, and visual and DNA analysis of dietary requirements, were all used to better understand the ecological requirements of E. s. badia. We found that the skinks have specific log pile requirements, both native and non-native predator management requirements, and a largely herbivorous, broad diet, which all influence translocation site selection and management planning. The use of E. s. badia as an Australian case study provides a clear strategic framework for the targeted research of meaningful ecological factors that influence translocation decision-making. Similar approaches applied to other reptile species are likely to fundamentally increase the capacity for effective management, and the likelihood of future successful translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly S. Bradley
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Michael D. Craig
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia (M.J.B.)
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia (A.T.C.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Adam T. Cross
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia (A.T.C.)
- Ecological Health Network, 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a, Brookline, MA 02446, USA
| | - Michael J. Bamford
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia (M.J.B.)
- Bamford Consulting Ecologists, 23 Plover Way, Kingsley, WA 6026, Australia
| | - Philip W. Bateman
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
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Croft DB, Witte I. The Perils of Being Populous: Control and Conservation of Abundant Kangaroo Species. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061753. [PMID: 34208227 PMCID: PMC8230889 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Australia's first people managed landscapes for kangaroo species as important elements of their diet, accoutrements and ceremony. This developed and persisted for about 65,000 years. The second wave of colonists from the United Kingdom, Ireland and many subsequent countries introduced familiar domesticated livestock and they have imposed their agricultural practices on the same landscapes since 1788. This heralded an ongoing era of management of kangaroos that are perceived as competitors to livestock and unwanted consumers of crops. Even so, a kangaroo image remains the iconic identifier of Australia. Kangaroo management is shrouded in dogma and propaganda and creates a tension along a loose rural-city divide. This divide is further dissected by the promotion of the consumption of kangaroo products as an ecological good marred by valid concerns about hygiene and animal welfare. In the last decade, the fervour to suppress and micro-manage populations of some kangaroo species has mounted. This includes suppression within protected areas that have generally been considered as safe havens. This review explores these tensions between the conservation of iconic and yet abundant wildlife, and conflict with people and the various interfaces at which they meet kangaroos.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Benjamin Croft
- School of Biological Earth & Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Ingrid Witte
- Rooseach@Rootourism, Adelaide River, NT 0846, Australia;
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