Translocation of a top-order carnivore: tracking the initial survival, spatial movement, home-range establishment and habitat use of Tasmanian devils on Maria Island
Sam Thalmann A C , Sarah Peck A , Phil Wise A , Joanne M. Potts B , Judy Clarke A and Jim Richley A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B The Analytical Edge Pty Ltd, PO Box 47, Blackmans Bay, Tas. 7052, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: sam.thalmann@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Australian Mammalogy 38(1) 68-79 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM15009
Submitted: 23 April 2015 Accepted: 10 October 2015 Published: 16 November 2015
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial threatened with extinction from the emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The establishment of ex situ populations is a key management action for the species. We examined the initial survival, movement pattern, home range, and habit use of six devils from a total of 15 individuals translocated to Maria Island (south-east Tasmania). A total of 14 devils (93%) survived the initial monitoring phase within this study (122 days after translocation). The maximum and minimum distance recorded during one night was 21.73 km (range = 14.12–25.40 km) and 1.94 km (range = 0.07–7.71 km), respectively, while the average nightly distance travelled varied significantly (range = 7.24–13.07 km) between individuals. Short-term home-range size (90% kernel) varied from 936 to 3501 ha, with an average of 2180 (±836) ha for all devils. The habitat preference of devils on Maria Island shows a positive association with agricultural and urban habitats, and an avoidance of wet eucalypt forest. The home range and habitat associations may change as competitive pressures increase with population growth; however, this initial research indicates that translocation as a management action is a powerful tool for the establishment of ex situ populations, assisting in the continued conservation of this species.
Additional keywords: endangered species, habitat use, radio telemetry, spatial ecology.
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