Written by Aaron Fernandes Wednesday, 17 March 2010 09:53
THE WA State Government has announced a project to stop the downward-spiralling numbers of the world’s rarest marsupial, with total populations of Gilbert’s potoroo now expected to be less than 100.
The Department of Environment and Conservation recently unveiled a $120,000 project to establish only the world’s third population of Gilbert’s potoroos at Waychinicup National, releasing seven marsupials in to an isolated fenced reserve 25km east of Albany.
Mrs Faragher said the potoroo’s numbers had now fallen to less than 100 and were restricted to only two locations; the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and Bald Island, both near Albany.
“The aim of this project is to set up a second mainland population and to begin a wider re-introduction of the species into its former mainland habitats,” she said.
“Department of Conservation and Environment will be radio-tracking the potoroos to monitor their progress and to learn about their use of different vegetation types within the enclosure. This will assist in future work to be undertaken to establish new populations of the species.”
The 380ha enclosure featuring eight kilometres of two-metre high fence will provide the potoroos with a natural environment free from feral predators such as foxes and cats.
The enclosure has been built in long-unburnt vegetation including some dense heathland, almost identical to the potoroo habitat at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. In the long term, researchers anticipate that release outside the fence will allow colonisation of other suitable areas.
Four of the potoroos, two male and two female, are from Bald Island, while two males and one female are from Two Peoples Bay. A male and female potoroo were released as pioneers two weeks ago. All the animals are aged between two and six years.
Before 2005, Two Peoples Bay was the only known Gilbert’s potoroo colony. Between 2005 and 2007, the Department of Environment and Conservation translocated 10 potoroos to predator-free Bald Island.
Recent surveys at Bald Island have revealed an increased population of about 30 potoroos and the successful establishment of the new breeding colony.
The project is funded by the State Government’s Natural Resource Management Program and DEC’s priority threatened species project funding.
