Successful reintroduction of red-tailed phascogale to Wadderin Sanctuary in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia
Jeff Short A B C and Andrew Hide A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Wildlife Research and Management Pty Ltd, PO Box 1360, Kalamunda, WA 6926, Australia.
B Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental and Life Science, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: jeff@wildliferesearchmanagement.com.au
Australian Mammalogy 37(2) 234-244 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM15002
Submitted: 21 January 2015 Accepted: 15 June 2015 Published: 24 July 2015
Abstract
Red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura) were reintroduced to Wadderin Sanctuary in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia in April 2009 with individuals sourced from remnant native vegetation on farmland some 180 km to the west. Their establishment was monitored initially by radio-telemetry and trapping, and subsequently by the checking of nest boxes both within and outside the sanctuary. Translocated phascogales established well and bred successfully in their first season. Phascogales remain extant at Wadderin more than five years after release and appear to be abundant and to occupy all available habitat. They have spread beyond the fenced sanctuary to adjoining woodland and to shrubland and woodland habitat in a remnant 1.4 km away. Comparison with two other reintroductions of this species (one apparently successful, one not) suggests management and habitat factors that may have contributed to the outcomes.
Additional keywords: Dasyuridae, translocation.
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