A trial of transmitter attachment methods for Shark Bay bandicoots (Perameles bougainville)
Colleen Sims A , Kelly Rayner A , Fiona Knox B and Saul Cowen
A C D
A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Locked Bag 104, Bentley, WA 6983, Australia.
B School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
C School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: saul.cowen@dbca.wa.gov.au
Australian Mammalogy 43(3) 359-362 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM20035
Submitted: 29 April 2019 Accepted: 26 September 2020 Published: 22 October 2020
Abstract
In mammal reintroductions, effective post-release monitoring often relies on the use of radio-transmitters. Collars are a popular attachment technique but are not necessarily appropriate for all taxa. However, other attachment methods may result in substantially reduced monitoring durations. We assessed several transmitter types for the Shark Bay bandicoot (Perameles bougainville), aiming to optimise animal welfare and attachment duration. Collars (fitted under general anaesthetic) were considered the optimal method and 12 bandicoots were collared and monitored as part of a reintroduction program. We found that our collars permitted monitoring for up to seven weeks, while causing minimal harm to the animals.
Keywords: animal welfare, attachment duration, collar attachment, collar design, Perameles bougainville, radio-transmitter, Shark Bay bandicoots, wildlife monitoring.
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