The Habitat Utilisation and Social Behaviour of Captive Rock-wallabies: Implications for Management.

Abstract

As part of a breeding program a small group of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, Petrogale penicillata, was captured within the Jenolan Caves reserve and transferred to a nearby enclosure. This study examined the social behaviour and habitat utilisation of these captive rock-wallabies. The subjects were observed in slightly over half (52.2%) of the area available within the enclosure. Sightings were concentrated around a small cliff line. Frequency of sightings within grid cells was significantly correlated with scat density but unrelated to a measure of visibility suggesting the rock-wallabies exhibit strong preference for certain habitats. A Poisson analysis indicated that preferred habitat was characterised as having a northerly aspect, high levels of rock coverage and high shrub density. There was only a small amount of this habitat type within the enclosure which may account for the high levels of aggression which we observed (23.9% of all social behaviour). Aggression was particularly prevalent between adult females (64.8% of all aggressive interactions). The subordinate female was the only animal observed to use resting sites to the south of the cliff line. We suggest that aggression from the dominant female forced the subordinate female to use these less preferred areas.