The foraging behaviour of flatback (Natator depressus) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) marine turtles in northern Australia is understudied. We used satellite telemetry to investigate the location of foraging habitats of flatbacks and olive ridleys. Our results have identified key areas for conservation initiatives and informed management strategies for marine turtle species and foraging areas. Photograph by Mark Hamann.

The drivers of declining small-mammal populations in northern Australia are complex, but may include the structural simplification of tropical savannas. We explored denning preferences and nocturnal movement patterns of the Endangered northern quoll, highlighting the species’ reliance on large hollow-bearing trees in high-biomass savanna habitats of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, where these habitats have a critical role for the species’ survival. We recommend prioritising conservation efforts in these areas, with a focus on effective fire management and avoidance of clearing and logging. Photograph by Gavin Trewella.

Feral cats are a key threat to biodiversity globally, and particularly in Australia, but effective control is complex because of their broadscale distribution and behaviour. Felixer grooming traps were evaluated at a mammal reintroduction site in the Strzelecki Desert, Australia. Felixers showed extremely high target specificity, low incidence of non-target firing events and appear to have supressed cat activity in a semi-bounded area relative to an adjacent unbounded area where no cat control was occurring. The devices had high cost and incidence of technical faults, but showed promise as highly targeted feral cat control tools. Photograph by Reece Pedler.

New South Wales (NSW) has a high number of green turtle stranding events. Understanding these events is crucial to evidence-based management of this species and prevention of further incidents. This research analysed the diet of select green turtles and found that these turtles were feeding on animal material and macroalgae prior to stranding. This research mapped the stable-isotope values of common dietary items along the NSW coastline and provides the groundwork for future research to investigate diet structure of healthy, free-ranging green turtles in NSW. Photograph by Rory Crofts, 2020.

Entanglements of woma pythons have been recorded in conservation fencing at the Wild Deserts project partnership site, a safe haven in arid Australia. This prompted us to investigate woma spatial ecology in relation to fencing to inform mitigation actions. Entanglements were only observed from 30-mm netting, with no records from 50-mm netting. Larger netting apertures are preferable when planning future fenced conservation reserves where rabbit exclusion is not required. Photograph by Reece Pedler.