Magazine
AUSTRALIAN MARCH 2018 Issue 2 - Free of Charge
yawn /jɔːn/ & what’s the meaning NON INVASIVE
POUCH MONITORING
misty mountains REPORT RAPTORS, LAND MONITORS
and Spotted-tailed Quolls VICTORIA
Spotted-tailed Quolls
ROADS
potential STRESSORS
Doreen
Sweeney …
Quoll Conservancy
WELCOME TO OUR MAGAZINE Welcome to our second Magazine. This issue brings you stories and activities on wildlife and the environment from and around Australia. Our yearly edition, is available to print, download or view online and is also free of charge. We hope you enjoy our magazine while remembering … “Saving one animal won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal”.
In this edition: Upcoming Research Projects … page 3 Alberto Vale Editor In Chief Contact details ph: 0412 632 328 aqc@quolls.org.au www.quolls.org.au Postal PO BOX 510 Smithfield Qld 4878 AQC Management Committee
President Alberto Vale Vice President & Treasurer Hayden Vale
Secretary Emma Akers
Interim Misty Mountains Report … page 6 Doreen Sweeney … page 14 Raptors Land Monitors and Spotted-tailed quolls… page 15 Non Invasive Pouch Monitoring … page 22 Victoria Spotted-tailed quolls … page 27 Yawn , What’s the Meaning … page 31 Paluma under the spotlight … page 33 Roads Potential Stressors … page 38 Dingo Dogged by wild dog dogmas … page 41 Upcoming events AQC … page 48 In Search of Stripes … page 49 Quollity Donations & Memberships … page 52 Submit a story … page 53
Reader story contributions are welcome. Content will be subject to editor’s discretion. Disclaimer: Views expressed in the AQC Magazine are not necessarily those of AQC.
2
AUSTRALIAN QUOLL CONSERVANCY CURRENT QUOLL PROJECTS - NORTH Qld: Wildlife Corridor between Goldsborough Valley and Danbulla NP. - NORTH Qld: First comprehensive Quoll Population Survey at Paluma NP. - NORTH Qld: ongoing breeding and population studies at Danbulla NP - NORTH Qld: 3rd Stage Misty Mountains Quoll Population Survey.
 - VICTORIA: AQC 3 Year Spotted-tailed Quoll Population Project Survey
3
2017AQC JANUARY
FEBRUARY
CALENDAR
Debrief MARCH
QUOLLS DOCUMENTARY Released Broadcast on Nine Network 8th January.
ROAD CLOSURE Meetings begin for Kauri Ck Road closure during STQuoll breeding season.
DGR, FINALLY! We moved followers and members of our electorate to speak up about a two year delay in obtaining the “deductible gift recipient” status, a tax benefit to donations to our organisation. Finally in April 2017 the DGR status, was granted to the Australian Quoll Conservancy.
APRIL
MAY
MAGAZINE LAUNCH The first inaugural magazine launches with 42 pages.
JUNE
MISTY MOUNTAINS AQC/QPWS finds several new STQ sub-adults.
AQC RESEARCH & SURVEY AQC starts a 3 year research & breeding survey on the Spotted-tailed Quoll in North Queensland.
NON-INVASIVE POUCH MONITORING AQC deploys the QuollC cameras, a system developed exclusively by WildCAM Australia® to allow pouch development viewing, establish gender profiles and detect new juvenile quolls.
4
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER FIRST PICTURES EMERGE
ROAD CLOSURE KAURI CK RD BREEDING First stages of pouch augmentation becomes visible, with enlarged teats recorded by September.
Rod Closure Report on the Kauri Ck Rd Danbulla NP is submitted to QPWS and Wet Tropics Management Authority.
INTERIM REPORT 
 MISTY MOUNTAINS NP Supplied to QPWS and Wet Tropics Management Authority.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
TWO MORE NATIONAL PARKS TARGETED
FAMILY GROWING
The Australian Quoll Conservancy targets the Goldsborough national park for the quoll distribution corridor and Paluma national park quoll survey gets momentum.
After 5 years of tedious work and hope, AQC manages to monitor breeding quolls in the wild for the second time. Season 2017 recorded two sub adult females, 2018 a sub-adult male and a female.
AQC TARGETS VICTORIA Quoll Survey in Victoria to start mid 2018.
5
INTERIM MISTY M O U N TA I N S REPORT
story by Alberto Vale
6
Photography © Alberto Vale
In North Queensland, the subspecies D. maculatus gracilis is historically known to still exist at Mount Bartle Frere (highest mountain range in Nth Qld). Its closer proximity to the Misty Mountain ranges, suggests that quolls may still be using adjacent forestry areas as a wildlife corridor. Misty Mountains National Park complex has a 130 km network of short and long wilderness tracks through pristine, high-altitude rainforest, with remote and inaccessible parts of the complex reaching up to 917 metres. Boasting a wet tropical regime with crystal clear creeks, waterfalls and panoramic views some tracks are suitable only for bushwalkers, while others are shared tracks with mountain biking permitted. The Misty Mountains wilderness tracks are located in an area bounded by Tully, Innisfail, Mena Creek, Millaa Millaa and Ravenshoe including Tully Falls,
Tully Gorge and Wooronooran national parks. Between 1962 to 1992, only 10 reliable recorded Quoll sightings were registered as a positive indication of the presence of the species. These sightings are noted as sporadic, due to the cryptic behaviour of the nSTQ’s. All sightings occurred in close proximity to or within the current survey site, these being at Massey Creek, Charappa Forestry
Camp, Sutties Gap Road, Palmerston National Park and Palmerston Highway, along the power line track South Johnstone and Mena Creek 8.5 km South East of Millaa Millaa. (Burnet 1999-2001) The more recent records occurred in 2014, with the first quoll images, appearing on a QPWS camera being used to monitor a Hog-hopper (feral pig baiting system). The images were first recorded in August and October 2014 and again in May 2015. Those recent images of quolls, prompted a survey project launched by the AQC personnel in association with Innisfail QPWS rangers. The project also had a secondary benefit, to allow Innisfail QPWS to investigate changes and effects which may have occurred, including wildlife prey depletion, affects from higher human population in
this National Park, introduced pests and habitat alteration, including disrupted wildlife corridors. This interim report provides evidence that a fragmented population of nSTQs still exists in the Misty Mountains areas, now assisting AQC and QPWS in determining the necessary actions to ensure the long term survival of the species.
7
MOTION SENSOR CAMERAS, LURES AND SURVEY STAGES
The AQC Misty Mountains survey, started on the third quarter of 2015, using the northern periphery of the national park boundaries, stretching the net of cameras work inwards, using existing roads with a mean altitude of 600 to 700 m. (p. 1) Although the species appear to maintain a preferred altitude above 900 m, it is not uncommon to have occasional sightings at lower altitudes in the adjacent forested areas. (e.g. Woopen Ck and Golden Hole) These sightings are relatively frequent during the winter months, where temperatures become suitable for most placental and marsupial mammal species living in the tropics. However, a combination of other factors were apparently important, including the lack of permanent water supply in the initially surveyed areas, appearing to be a deterrent for success in finding these species within in this suitable territorial or roaming area. Ten motion sensor cameras were initially deployed at 1 km intervals resulting in 11,520 camera trapping hours.
was then locked, with a 10 mm nut. The ability of free rotating movement of the canister, stopped larger animals, including dingoes and pigs from displacing or destroying the apparatus or removing the lure contents. Although still being able to be damaged by large rainforest rodents like Giant white-tailed rat (Uromys caudimaculatus), this new non feeding lure apparatus has proven to be extremely reliable against dingoes, pigs and cattle. (p. 3) In 2016 and continuing into 2017, the secondary stage of surveys began, using 25 motion sensor cameras in a two year field deployment. Cameras and bait were regularly maintained by Innisfail QPWS rangers. The cameras operated through the entire 24 months, resulting in 219,000 camera trapping hours with 728 volunteer hours. Quolls were again detected on AQC cameras, this time 6 new quolls were captured, (p.3) with one image, capturing only the animal face and not the spotted body and tail of the animal, making it impossible to determine if the individual was new or had previously visited the area. Towards the end of 2017, only five AQC cameras were left in the field, monitoring the only area that appeared to be,
Bait lures were assembled and secured with cable ties directly opposite the viewing angle of the camera, consisting of a plastic lattice Kvassay bag holder (Glenn Kvassay) containing commercially available chicken frames. The plastic lattice holding the lure bag initially used, was found to be easily damaged by dingoes and pigs. The lure holding apparatus was modified from the initial deployed kvassay plastic lattice bag, to a secured pig and dingo proof canister. Known as DeNunes Canisters tm (Alberto Vale) these were constructed from commercially available PVC pipe 1,000 mm x 100 mm diameter, then cut to several 200 mm lengths, with two 100 mm caps fitted unglued and placed at either end of the shortened pipe sections. Caps were then centre drilled to accommodate the insertion of a 10 mm x 600 mm long threaded rod. Side walls of the canister were randomly perforated to allow bait to release aroma of the decomposing chicken frames. Once the lure attractant was inserted into the canister and caps were firmly closed, the threaded rod was inserted and positioned through the centered hole in each cap and driven onto the ground. Holding threaded rod
8
the lower altitude and possibly the outer edge of these quolls’ territory. As seasonal temperatures climbed, cameras started to show less quoll activity, supporting the idea that these animals move to higher altitudes during the hotter summer months. RESULTS Misty Mountains 130 km of roads and walking tracks. After 3 months the 2nd stage surveyed section of extensive park road and walking tracks network
9
were surveyed with the collaboration and assistance of Innisfail QPWS, again showing the existence of nSTQ’s. The Maalan area of the park was once a regular sighting area for nSTQ’s, so the now low numbers of sightings of this species indicates a probable decline in numbers and contraction of its original distribution. AQC/QPWS rangers do not believe the term ‘Critically Endangered’ is being misused in reference to the northern ‘race’ of D. m.gracilis . Fortunately only two feral cats was detected in the surveyed area, and the eradication of this species appears to have been successful. QPWS rangers believe feral cats are not in high numbers in this park area. However progress is been made to compare that to other areas in Wooroonooran where QPWS know they occur. Other wildlife detected by the AQC/QPWS camera survey, showed an encouraging number (7) of Lumholtz Tree kangaroos. Whilst it is impossible to
The rainforest Dingoes appear to be doing well with 16 detections, probably as a result of the healthy Pademelon population. Musky Rat Kangaroos were also quite often detected. Other wildlife regularly capture on camera were: -Chowchilla* (Orthonyx spaldingii) -Orange Footed Scrub Fowl* (Megapodius reinwardt) -Water Rat* (Hydromys chrysogaster) -Echidna* (Tachyglossus aculeatus) -Emerald Dove* (Chalcophaps indica) -Noisy Pitta* (Pitta versicolor) -Red-necked Crake* (Rallina tricolor) -Cane Toad (2) (Rhinella marina) -White Browed Scrubwren* (Sericornis frontalis) -Brush Turkey* (Alectura lathami) -Fawn- Footed Melomy/ Bush Rat* (Melomys cervinipes) & (Rattus fuscipes) -Giant white-tailed rat* (Uromys caudimaculatus) * represents several detections of these species. DISCUSSION
say if any were repeat occurrences, this observation hopefully indicates a healthy population. Red Legged Pademelons (Thylogale stigmata); were by far the most commonly detected wildlife species, with females observed to be have joeys at all sites. Unfortunately a considerable number of feral pigs were also detected. Their damage is obvious and despite QPWS destroying 37 pigs in the area over the past year, habitat damage has not decreased.
10
AQC is now preparing for the 3rd stage of the Misty Mountains nSTQ’s survey to confirm the existence of a breeding quoll colony, (highlighted map in red) this area lies in very dense and inaccessible higher altitude terrain. (p.4) It is intended that once this colony is found, AQC personnel will identify gender, pouch development in females and the recruitment of new juvenile quolls, using QuollC tm Camera Systems adapted and adopted by WildCAM Australia® (the developers of a non invasive camera technique). These images will provide by either photographed or videograph of the animals’ body (with spot
pattern used for individual recognition) at close range, with no need for physical contact. This system will be further used on a yearly basis, to help with the annual monitoring and management of Spotted-tailed quolls in this National Park. The continuous in-kind assistance between AQC personnel and Innisfail QPWS rangers, will be of utmost importance to the success of this final stage survey for this area in 2018 and 2019.
Interim Report On The Population And Distribution Of The Northern Spotted-Tailed Quoll Dasyurus Maculatus Gracilis in The Misty Mountains Complex, publication Australian Quoll Conservancy, Cairns, Australia.
REFERENCES Burnett, SE. 2001. Ecology and Conservation Status of the northern Spotted-tailed Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus, Thesis (Ph.D.) - James Cook University, published (2001). Vale, AN and Jackson, L. 2016. Camera-trap surveys of the northern Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis) in the Cairns to Innisfail hinterland. North Queensland Naturalist issue 46, pp. 99-106 (2016) Vale, AN and Jackson, L. 2017. Interim Closure of Kauri Creek Road To Establish Road Usage Impacts During The Breeding Cycle of The Northern Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), https:// issuu.com/albertovale1/docs/ kauri_ck_rd_closure_report ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Chris Roach Innisfail QPWS Ranger provided the bulk assistance of this fieldwork. Also grateful for the field assistance provided on occasion by Emmaline Hardy, Luke Jackson and Glen Kvassay and other QPWS park rangers and managers. Dr. Tom Grant for providing the useful revision and editorial comments on earlier drafts. QPWS, the Wet Tropics Management Authority for their in-kind assistance and the audited funding from Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) for the purchase of motion sensor cameras and related field equipment. © Alberto Vale 2018 This work is copyright. The Copyright Act 1968 permits fair dealing for study, research, information or educational purposes. Selected text, diagrams or images may be reproduced for such purposes provided acknowledgement of the source is included. Major extracts of the entire document are not be reproduced by any medium or process. This document should be cited as: Vale A. (2018)
11
Image Courtesy WTMA
12
CAIRNS

 SUSPENSION MAINTENANCE SPONSORS
AUSTRALIAN QUOLL CONSERVANCY SPECIES RECOVERY UNIT 13
DOREEN SWEENEY
one quiet stand after another
story by
 Jenny Green
Doreen Sweeney was an uncommon woman. She lived a quiet life in suburban Melbourne, raising four children on her own. Yet she found time to serve her community as a volunteer in hospitals and in the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. She was engaged in current affairs and took a principled stand on many issues. She did this in her usual, unassuming way, one quiet stand after another. She preferred to buy from small businesses, as opposed to large supermarkets. She knitted jumpers for World Vision to distribute to poor children in cold climates. And another of her favourite causes was that of endangered Australian wildlife. She always gave chocolate Bilbies at Easter, and was concerned at the damage done to native fauna by feral animals. When she died last year, my siblings and I knew that she would want a portion of her estate to go to one of these worthy causes. I had been aware of the efforts being made around Australia to bring the quoll back from the brink of extinction on the mainland by the Australian Quoll Conservancy. I felt sure my mother would agree that the Australian Quoll Conservancy is a fantastic example of a volunteer organisation doing great work across the country. Our family is pleased to be able to make a substantial donation in her name to the Australian Quoll Conservancy.
RAPTORS
LAND MONITORS
A N D S P O T T E D - TA I L E D QU O L L S
story by Alberto Vale
Photography © Alberto Vale
15
Antagonistic or a deep sense of a disquiet eye contact can only mean one thing, that you are about to be on the receiving end. Humans are regular users of projected aggressive facial and emotional eye contact, and in most cases it will mean nothing, just a bluff, other times it will have dramatic outcomes. In the animal kingdom, the same is portrayed with similar distinctive facial interactions and stand-off’s. Land monitors or birds of prey are the best known for these somehow imposing attributes. The penetrating eye scrutinisation and physical make-up is not only frightening, but in most cases disturbing to any human in reach of these unknowingly intentions. Spotted-tailed Quolls behavioural stand-off’s when facing either birds of prey or land monitors, are sometimes revered as David and Goliath battles. Land Monitors impressive sizes are a representation of their predaceous lifestyle. Active during the day, land Monitor lizards have a massive body and powerful legs. Most species have strong claws on their feet, and all but the largest monitors can climb well. The tail is long and powerful, usually about twice as long as the body and can be swung as a potent weapon. Land Monitors stalk a wide range of animals, and any carrion is powerfully devoured, and if cooking or food smells are abound in a rainforest environment, you could soon be rewarded in witnessing some remarkable quoll and land monitor stand-off’s.
While preparing my cooked lunch at one of my quoll filming trips, I received the expected and welcomed visit of a spotted-tailed quoll. Although the animal seemed ok with my presence, obviously aware of its previous interactions with sympathetic humans to its presence, it still kept a safe distance. The dark tone of its fur and the mismatched array of cream white spots colouring its fur, blended majestically in this evergreen rainforest backdrop amidst the permeating tantalising specs of light sifting through the dense rainforest canopy. All seemed fair, until a boisterous cat like screeching, broke the gentle cacophony of bird songs. This was a warning like I’ve never experienced before.
16
A large lace monitor, now tempting to occupy the same vantage point as the Spotted-tailed quoll, triggered this quoll to a prompt interaction warning. The quoll kept on going not letting go of its boisterous screeching, as if telling this domain intruder, to back off ‌ or else! Remarkably for an animal three times the size of this quoll, it heeded the warning and moved out from sight. Either through the sheer of a powerful status or through rehearsed vocalised bluffs, I had witness for first time, the remarkable stance of a Spotted-tailed quoll against another powerful land predator, and that wasn’t the last. Months later, while retrieving footage from field unmanned cameras, I never expected what I was about to view. As I glanced over the footage recorded, a parading grey goshawk appeared in front of the camera lens, this seemed nothing of the ordinary as these species had been caught several times doing exactly the same behaviours. However as the footage rolled, at the top of the fallen tree trunk in the foreground, something moved. It was a quoll, and it was now walking towards the goshawk.
17
As the quoll approached, the grey goshawk went of camera view and at the opportune moment the grey goshawk nailed the quoll backside with its powerful talons. Instinctively the quoll turns with its mouth wide open, ready to take down this aerial predator.
This was a powerful sequential demonstration of a Spotted-tailed quoll fearless disposition. The lucky grey goshawk lives another day, but I do think that in future this aerial predator may think twice before repeating the stunt. With the more affordable motion sensor cameras flooding the market, more and more readers comment and share with us amazing camera captures interactions, between quolls and other species. This unique Australian marsupial carnivore may not brag his voice like a Tasmanian Devil, but those weary of Quolls defensive stances, certainly have learned to keep their distances.
Stand-off - a wedge-tailed eagle (left) and a male STQ, image Ricky SmithŠ
18
LET’S SAVE
SOMETHING L A I C E P S Stockland & Smithfield Cairns Stores Sponsoring “Australian Quoll Conservancy” Research Projects
Visit www.lenards.com.au 19
A U S T R A L I A N Q U O L L C O N S E RVA N C Y
R E S E A RC H The Goldsborough Valley NP where a promising quoll scat was found, could reveal either a roaming quoll or a quoll colony around the nearby hilly areas. Goldsborough Valley’s lush lowland rainforest and the picturesque Mulgrave River offer opportunities for canoeing, mountain biking, walking and camping in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The AQC/QPWS spotted-tailed quoll survey was deployed at Goldsborough Valley, another long term Quoll monitoring program. Using the latest MiniMe DeNunes Canisters with 100% natural species specific scented lure compound, cameras will soon be able to reveal any curious specimens or otherwise the odd bi-catch. Cameras will stay in place for at least one year. Results will be posted regularly in AQC Facebook. AQC thanks the co-operation and assistance of QPWS with AQC Quoll surveys, especially Ranger in Charge QPWS Cairns South "Dan Fitzpatrick". Surveys are part of a QLD Gambling Community Benefit Fund, helping to purchase motion sensor cameras.
20
u .a
cu
w es
a
m co . g
s re
PROUD

SPONSORS AUSTRALIAN QUOLL CONSERVANCY SPECIES RECOVERY UNIT 21
N O N - I N VA S I V E POUCH MONITORING O N S P O T T E D -TA I L E D Q U O L L S
story by Alberto Vale
Photography © Alberto Vale
22
Traditional data collection of gender and pouch young of mammal species, like the Quolls, has been achieved by using the stressful and invasive method of cage trapping and handling animals, often including sedation. Recent studies (de Bondi, White, Stevens and Cooke, 2010) showed that camera trapping is now often more cost effective and more useful than trapping for wildlife detection. Camera traps (motion sensor cameras) are now widely used to monitor, survey and sample a variety of arboreal and ground-dwelling species of wildlife. (Meek, Ballard and Fleming, 2012) Restricted initially by image resolution, unsuitable minimum focal lengths, slow trigger mechanisms, new improvements in motion sensor technology, has seen cameras achieving remarkable improvement in sensor trigger response, with fixed or manual focal range, no glow illumination [“no-glow” flash feature are cameras equipped with black LED's which are totally invisible to not only game animals but humans as well], interchangeable lenses and higher resolution imagery. Integrating these technological advances, a new non-invasive method of wildlife monitoring, WildCAM Australia® has developed “Quoll C”, and the more advanced Quoll C MKII, camera systems that now allow close-up recordings of the underside of wild mammals, using a scented attractant to lure the target species. The system has been successful in identifying spotted-tailed Quolls, including their gender and stage of development of their pouch young [Fig 1], changing what was previously an intrusive and stressful cage trapping method, to now provide an easily deployed remote and relatively non invasive method for studying Quolls. The Australian Quoll Conservancy (AQC) has previously successfully used camera traps, to identify individual northern spotted-tailed Quolls by recording their unique pattern of body spots. However the methods reported here have extended this work to provide gender identification monitoring of female pouch and teat development and growth of pouch young during the Quoll breeding season. The initial prototype was created in June 2015, by WildCAM Australia® using small High Definition GoPro cameras, with 128Gb Micro SD cards [One megabyte (MB) is made up of 1,024 kilobytes (KB). The next measurement up is a gigabyte (GB), which is made up of 1024MB], recording subjects at 1080p [known as Full HD 1080 horizontal lines of vertical resolution; the p stands for progressive scan] and 2.7K [resolution of 2704x1524] high definition video rates. The small size cameras allowed for compact field deployment including the maneuverability and flexibility of POV angles [“point of view” used especially in describing a method of shooting a scene or film that expresses the best attitude of the subject in a scene] and manual focal ability, crucial to the size of the subject and clear identification.
23
The construction of a rectangular low profile Perspex tray [Fig 2] with a detachable clear Perspex window was placed horizontally on the ground, the size of which allowed some flexibility on the species to be sampled. For nighttime operation the apparatus was fitted with an auxiliary light source. Commercially available rechargeable LED lights were converted into IR illumination floodlights [Fig 3] controlled by a light sensor to switch off during daylight hours. Two cameras with manual adjustable focal length, were inserted into Fig 2 the apparatus. One camera was converted to full light spectrum to capture the subject in complete darkness, while the other non modified camera, remained active during the daylight hours. Each camera had an independent power supply, consisting of two commercially available 10,400 mHa power banks, [a milliampere hour is a unit of electric charge, and it's the most common way to express the capacity of small batteries, the bigger the number, the more power measure for charge, a battery can hold] each modified to supply a continuous regulated voltage of 4.5 volts as per cameras power specifications. The power banks would remain operational and with enough power to sustain a continuous power supply for 4 days. Each camera was individually operated by external Fig 3 controller boards, including available video scripts. Cameras were triggered when animals where in range, activated a PIR [(Passive InfraRed sensor) a device used to detect motion by receiving infrared radiation. When a person walks past the sensor, it detects a rapid change of infrared energy and sends a signal] or X-Band motion sensors [a band of frequencies in the microwave radio region of the electromagnetic spectrum, used commonly in radars], setting off High Definition video recording at pre-selectable durations. Animals standing on the window of the Perspex tray [Fig 2] would face in the constrained and restricted access way to the lure, thus Fig 5 triggering the motion sensors, and a high definition video would be obtained of their undersides for a predetermined time. The prototype performance of WildCAM Australia® “Quoll C” Camera Systems successfully captured the underside of several Spotted-tailed Quoll genitalia, thus simplifying the colony gender ratio findings, including full views of bodily fluids discharges. Other underside views of by-catch, were Brush Turkeys Alectura lathami [Fig 5] and Bush Rats Rattus fuscipes. 24
During the dry season in the Wet Tropics of north Queensland, it was found that lower overnight temperatures allowed moisture condensation being displaced from canopy leaves onto the ground.
Fig 4
(a)
(b)
These wet conditions sometimes covered the perspex window with moisture and would render some of the recordings blurry. The sampled animals also showed some restricted imagery of the targeted genitalia and pouch, due to their relaxed posture while standing on the capturing window. Overcoming these situations quite significantly but not totally, a new “Quoll C MKII� weatherproof camera system was developed. Using a different collapsible apparatus in a U-shaped metal frame, [Fig 4] the apparatus was now sitting in a
(b) Fig (a) Quoll C & QuollC MKII (b) prototypes, showing torso ( genitalia) imagery of a male and female quoll and sub-adult male quoll
25
vertical position rather than the initial horizontal prototype, allowing, the lure to be easily raised and lowered accordingly to the species being targeted. A new design of the lure holdings, by adding a 45 degree elbow shape pipe fitting to the PVC bait holder also allowed a higher restricted access of the organic lure, removing the easy access to it by pigs, birds of prey and rats. A third camera could also be added to the system, to allow specific sections to be photographed or video recorded, of the animals. All motion sensor cameras for this new system apparatus were sourced and acquired from a generic commercial brand, costing less than $200 each (bulk pricing). These cameras were also found to have a required minimum focal range of 400 mm to the subject. This extremely portable (one person deployment requirement) and affordable system is, although not delivering the same High Definition sharpness and resolution of the initial prototype cameras, costs one third of its prototype price, making it an affordable compromise. Camera trapping is increasingly being adopted in Australia as a wildlife research and monitoring tool, this new method is allowing the recording of visual images in the form of photographs, film, or video signals, showing obvious advantages and long-term cost saving over animal traps. These advantages include being relatively non-invasive and cost saving of the necessity for fewer field workers and less work during the hours of darkness, with its associated occupational safety aspects. The initial outlay for cameras and the equipment can be considerable, but similar costs are often greater for trapping surveys, especially the person-hours in setting, checking and removing traps in the wild. Although there are still some challenging steps to overcome with camera settings best suited to detection and analysis for wildlife surveys and monitoring, there are clear benefits in the use of this new readily available technology. References De Bondi N, White JG, Stevens M and Cooke R (2010). A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities. Wildlife Research 37: 456- 465. Meek PD, Ballard G and Fleming P (2012). An Introduction to Camera Trapping for Wildlife Surveys in Australia. PestSmart Toolkit publication, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra, Australia. Vale, AN and Jackson, L. 2017. Interim Closure of Kauri Creek Road To Establish Road Usage Impacts During The Breeding Cycle of The Northern Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), https:// issuu.com/albertovale1/docs/kauri_ck_rd_closure_report Quoll C Video by-catch capture example https://www.facebook.com/quolls/videos/ 526110287546117/ © Alberto Vale 2018 This work is copyright. The Copyright Act 1968 permits fair dealing for study, research, information or educational purposes. Selected text, diagrams or images may be reproduced for such purposes provided acknowledgement of the source is included. Major extracts of the entire document are not be reproduced by any medium or process. This document should be cited as: Vale A. (2018) Non Invasive Pouch Monitoring Of The Spottedtailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus gracilis Using Camera Traps. Australian Quoll Conservancy publication under the auspices of WildCAM Australia®, Cairns, Australia.
26
VICTORIA
spotted-tailed quolls
story by
 Alberto Vale
The Australian Quoll Conservancy Inc (AQC) will be conducting a three year survey to determine Spottedtailed Quoll populations in the Victorian State. This survey will contribute to the growing body of knowledge of wild spotted-tailed quoll populations and further investigate the past four years of recorded DELWP sightings at these Northern & Eastern Victoria Bioregions locations. The species has a confined home range and cryptic and nocturnal habits, making the detection of quoll populations problematic, especially as the species now occur at low densities. To improve the ability of this survey, the AQC non invasive gender quoll detection methods, with motion sensor cameras and lures, will be utilised to establish the existence of possible colonies and roaming males in search of mates. AEC approval, including research permits to several national parks and forest reserves in Victoria, have been submitted to DELPW and Parks Victoria.
28
AQC “Species Recovery Unit” has grouped several professionals, business owners and passionate quoll individuals in Victoria. The AQC nominated team leaders will be adhering to AQC Field Activity Plans, and will systematically implement the same motion
sensor camera techniques with their volunteer groups. AQC north Queensland proven track, in successfully detecting roaming individuals of the northern sub-species of the spottedtailed quoll will be certainly tested, however as species traits remains the same, positive results could be expected in Victoria.
Victorian populations of the species are known to be still in existence around East Gipsland (the upper Snowy River Valley and tributaries, Roger River and Errinundra Plateau which is probably the stronghold for the species in Victoria. However levels of current populations in those areas and other plausible terrains are still unknown, including any updates of breeding season of the species and gender densities around Brown Mountain. The tiger or spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus is the world’s second largest living marsupial carnivore in Australia. There are two subspecies currently recognised, the Wet Tropics Dasyurus maculatus gracilis and the southern form Dasyurus maculatus. Species distribution extend from south eastern Queensland, through to NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Sharing the same genetic status of isolation as the gracilis race, the Tasmanian sub-species should also be regarded as phylogenetic and distinct from mainland population. The current conservation status across their known distribution, reflects the continuing decline of the species in Victoria. These are mostly due to the scan and intensity of surveying required to detect the species across the landscape. Although the spotted tailed-quoll is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988), and is classified as endangered in Victoria (DSE 2007) and nationally (EPBC Act 1999), the continuing fragmentation of suitable habitat, 1080 baiting and climate changes are likely, to change the conservation status for these Victorian
species to “Critically Endangered”, mirroring the same proposed classification with the northern sub-species of Spotted-tailed quoll. The AQC Victorian Quoll Survey is aimed to; •Investigate any Spotted-tailed Quoll sightings in areas of recent records. •Report and verify all Spotted-tailed Quoll records by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment staff and the public. •Collect biological and ecological data on the Spottedtailed Quoll. AQC has a minimum 3 year project timeline, with a strong possibility for the project to extend thereafter. AQC is looking forward to formally launch this project mid year 2018.
SPO

 R O NS
V SER N O C OLL OJECTS U Q R IAN CH P RAL R T A S E AU RES
V
30
WWW ISIT
.DY
IC NAM
RUN
N
.C ING
ANC
OM.
Y
AU
YAW N
W H AT ’ S T H E
MEANING
Images henrycook.tumblr.com & Bonnie Cook Pinterestendangered-species
31
what does yawning .. really mean? Have you ever watched a spotted-tailed quoll yawn? His mouth opens so wide, you could almost count every tooth. Lots of animals yawn. Humans yawn, with the earliest yawn often occurring 11 weeks after conception – that’s before the baby is born. The yawn is contagious. Chimpanzees and apes yawn, and they yawn infectiously just like us. Fish and birds also yawn. We don’t really know why animals yawn and also the fact is … we don’t really know why humans also yawn, although here some plausible theories. The physiological theory This theory claims that you yawn because of
low oxygen levels in the blood. Yawning causes you to take a deep breath, stimulating respiratory gaseous exchanges and also the heart and blood flow. The arousal theory The concept here is that the particular animal is torn between two impulses. It may be tired and want to sleep but is forcing himself not to nap, for some reason. Stress may make animals yawn as they struggle to stay awake when they are concerned about something. The boredom theory If you find something boring, you will yawn. The evolutionary theory We yawn to display our teeth, a behaviour left over from our primitive beginnings.
Communication theory Just like smiling, it tells people you are happy, yawning simply lets people know you are tired (or bored). Release of energy theory The ritualised motion involving coordinated muscle movement that burns off extra energy to help ease you into relaxation. The protective yawn theory Cats often yawn and stretch when they wake up in the morning, but they rarely yawn in the evening when they are tired. Cats also yawn in times of conflict. For example, if there is a dish of food nearby but the dog is standing over the dish, your cat may have
conflicting urges: One urge to eat and the other to protect himself. In this case he might yawn as a displacement behaviour. Consider the situation in an evolutionary context: Putting on a “sleepy” display by yawning, allows the animal to escape a problematic situation gracefully, without sending out the message that he is scared, confused, or in conflict with others. It’s much like our method of “whistling in the graveyard.” Interestingly, if you yawn at a cat, it tells him you mean him no harm. One More Theory Just as “a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh,” a yawn may be … well, just a yawn. How many times did you yawn while reading this article?
PALUMA
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
AQC sets aim to find quolls at Paluma National Park in North Queensland. Paluma National Park covers an area of 172 km², with the nearest town being Townsville around 70 kms south of Paluma. Records of last spotted-tailed quoll known existence, dates back to mid 60s. Now AQC with the co-operation of QPWS Ranger In Charge Tim Devlin has set several motion sensor cameras with scented lures specifically to attract any STQ’s in the area.
Ranger Tim Devlin and AQC volunteer member Ian Carlyon from Townsville, will be assisting the maintenance of AQC cameras left in the field for one year. Cameras will be moved by-monthly around Mt Spec area, to ascertain any plausible existence of the critically endangered northern Spotted-tailed Quoll. 

Paluma Species Recovery Team Photo (left to right) Ian Carlyon (AQC Member) Tim Devlin (QPWS) Hayden Vale (AQC) Alberto Vale (AQC) 34
Update: Paluma Mt Spec NP, Ranger Tim Devlin and AQC volunteer Ian Carlyon, successfully performed the first two months of AQC motion sensor round ups. Some of the locals poised themselves while others were simply intrigued by the peculiar aroma of our lures. Cameras will be relocated by the next round up in two months time until AQC covers all plausible Quoll population marked areas to confirm their possible existence.
 AQC is grateful for the continued support shown by QPWS rangers in North Queensland.
Noisy Pitta, Tropical Antechinus (Antechinus adustus) and a Dingo Campout
SPONSORING 

WILDLIFE EDUCATORS
In Victoria
Whether it be your next wildlife party, school incursion, corporate or public event, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience!.
Visit Us www.aawildlfe.com.au Background Designed by Kjpargeter / Freepik
C
A
I
R
N
S
SPONSORING THE
LARGEST MARSUPIAL CARNIVORE IN MAINLAND AUSTRALIA Australian Quoll Conservancy Research Projects www.quolls.org.au
ROADS RECOGNIZED AS A MAJOR CAUSE OF HABITAT FRAGMENTATION AND DEGRADATION AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS.
ROADS POTENTIAL STRESSORS story by
 Alberto Vale
38
FORESTRY PRACTICES MAY CREATE CONSERVATION PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDE ROAD BUILDING, AND OFTEN INCREASED RECREATIONAL USE CAN DESTROY AND FRAGMENT HABITAT
There is a shifting mood by Queensland environmental authorities on the issues of maintenance of national parks and state forestry roads. These shifting views are now considering the closure of some national park roads (aka old logging roads) to motorised traffic. These roads have been identified to have low traffic or are parallel to existing ones, thus duplicating the same aesthetic purpose or those that are imperative to conservation practices. Road maintenance or improvement increases the likelihood of vehicular accidents. For instance, in Tasmania, a population of Tasmanian devils almost became extinct after a road was paved. Vehicle speed increased (because of the road improvement) and drivers were less able to avoid the devils at the higher speeds. In reality the closure of such deemed roads to all motorised traffic, could see these unused adventure playgrounds fi n a l l y i n fl u e n c e t h e natural survival of forestdwelling species. A move that is likely to be the newer relationship between, welfare and conservation. Conservation usually focus on broad-scale of impacts, these impacts may emerge from the summation of a series of welfare problems acting at the level of individual species. Old logging roads and their long term management are now showing conservation problems, which include constant expensive maintenance and often an over increase of recreational use that can destroy and further fragment the habitat. When preferred habitats are destroyed or disrupted, species may be able to move to suboptimal habitat, but they may be less likely to survive and reproduce over long term. Maintaining old logging roads will continue to fragment and impact a formerly contiguous habitat that may be species-specific dependant.
ROADS ALSO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF PREDATORS, POACHERS, AND COMPETITORS.
Roads also facilitate the movement of predators, poachers and competitors. Small forested fragments are now showing of not being able to support a top predator. The loss of a top predator in a fragmented patch leads to the increase in the number of mid-sized predators, creating welfare problems and the endangerment and extinction of Australian small mammals. In this case, the crash of dingos allowed populations of introduced red foxes and cats to explode. These species efficiently hunted small and mid-sized mammals and therefore triggered their crash. Therefore, predators redundancy are a conservation problem with effects in populations crash. Roads can also increase the selective fear and stress levels of animals. Stress may negatively affect their immune system and thus make animals more susceptible to disease. Animals must allocate energy to growth, immune defence, as well as to things that ensure their safety. When animals are stressed, they tend to allocate energy to survive and this necessarily means that there will be less energy for growth and immune defence. Many species have evolved resistance to their parasites and pathogens, and the introduction of new species, with new parasites and pathogens, may have harmful effects on a local fauna. The increased human movement created within accessible forestry roads may increase the likelihood that resident animals are infected with unusual diseases and the potential for disease transmission. Interference with communication where the modified acoustic environment is affected by the physical use of motorised vehicles, is now seen to disrupt distribution and the range of many ground dwelling species of animals. Increased human contact due to increased recreation, ranges from direct effects (eg animals are frightened, hit by cars, hunted) to indirect (eg habitat becomes more or less suitable). 
 The exact nature of recreation, will determine the respective impact, still the maintenance of old logging roads will inevitably make it easier for people to access formerly remote areas and in turn making it a conservation issue. Is this all too much of a speculation? Perhaps, however by recognising and studying these issues proper management of forests may minimise welfare issues associated with forestry roads, therefore maximising animal welfare and minimise pain and suffering. 40
DINGO DOGGED BY WILD DOG DOGMAS
story by
 Zac Forster 41
On the 4th of December 2017 a gunshot rang out in the idyllic seaside village of Brooms Head in Northern NSW, the shooter was a ranger for NPWS, the victim was a young animal affectionately known by locals as Dusty.
dingoes exist. Persistent poison baiting, trapping and shooting campaigns as well as exposure to stray and roaming domestic dogs in the latter areas has somewhat weakened and diluted the pure dingo gene pools.
Dusty’s, is a sad story but not a unique one on the mainland continent of Australia because Dusty was a dingo, and his crime was being exactly that, eternally inquisitive and boisterous as most young dingoes are, eternally wild and free, sadly eternally misunderstood.
To what degree is largely unknown given that estimates use outdated genetic testing methodologies and conclusions drawn aim to overestimate the numbers of hybrids or ‘wild dogs’ to justify the slaughter.
Many perpetuated myths surround the existence of the dingo in Australia, the foremost of which, is that there is no purebred dingoes left on the mainland and the only pure lineage remaining is on Fraser Island, when in fact there are healthy populations of genetically pure dingoes surviving across the mainland. The majority of these populations are predominantly found in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, but there have also been animals tested as pure in NSW east of the Great Dividing Range and in the South East area into Canberra and East Victoria. The exact numbers and viability of these populations is unknown because of the lack of definitive population studies in areas such as the southern highlands where the last of the wild alpine
Dusty The Phantom
42
In areas, such as the northern and western deserts, healthy populations of dingoes exist simply because of their remoteness from more arable grazing land and also the presence of roaming/stray farm and hunting dogs which can breed with dingoes and increase the hybridisation levels.
a lack of interest in their conservation as a unique native species.
The history of the dingo in Australia since the arrival of the first fleet in 1788 has been fraught with myths and maligned perceptions of their origin, physical characteristics and ecological role. The lingering ramifications of these inaccurate beliefs, in combination with the inter-generationally perpetuated negative image of the dingo as a cowardly and savage killer of stock animals, has resulted in a skewed public perception, which has ensured
more than a lingering howl somewhere off in the distance of a remote mountain valley or desert canyon.
Seemingly their plight is as unheard as their cries when enduring the up to 25 hour torturous deaths from 1080 poison. Dingoes’ presence are rarely felt by most, at best no
Their slaughter being out of sight out of mind of the general public. In Australia, at present the dingo sits in a precarious grey area of conservation, it is legal in every mainland state to kill them on private land, even in the perceived safety of national 43
and state parks dingoes will die from 1080 poison baits laid to kill foxes and 'wild dogs'. In the Northern Territory, they are listed as protected as native wildlife yet they are also listed as a 'wild dog' under NT State legislation: “The term wild dog includes the dingo and the feral domestic dog, as well as hybrids of these” and yet the legislation goes on to say: “Management is needed to control the numbers of wild dogs, while protecting purebred dingoes in the wild.” In Victoria, for example, it gets even more confusing where the legislation in place concerning dingoes is as follows: “Any wild dog or dingo found on private land (or on public land adjacent to private land) has the potential to threaten livestock. Dingoes are visually indistinguishable from wild dogs, making it impossible to ensure they are not inadvertently destroyed in wild dog control programs in any given area where both exist. In Victoria, wild dogs are pest animals and can be legally controlled.” The last paragraph then goes on further to contradict that legislation: “However dingoes are listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee act 1988 and protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975 to take or kill protected wildlife without an authorisation to do so.” It seems the term 'wild dog' itself is a quandary, because dingoes both pure and hybrids, are lumped under that blanket classification with roaming and stray domestic dogs. In 2014, the dingo was classified as a distinct Australian animal following research that shed new light on its defining physical characteristics. The study was conducted by the UNSW’s Dr Mike Letnic and Dr Mathew Crowther of the University of Sydney, they examined 69 skull specimens and six skin specimens to create a benchmark description of the dingo. From this
study they declared: “We can also conclusively say that the dingo is a distinctive Australian wild canid or member of the dog family in its own right, separate from dogs and wolves. The appropriate scientific classification is Canis dingo, as they appear not to be descended from wolves, are distinct from dogs and are not a subspecies.” Visual assessment of physical characters is the most common technique used to identify dingoes, their hybrids and feral dogs (roaming/ stray dogs), although this technique has proven to be almost useless in the reality of the innate similarities of dingo hybrids to pure dingoes. In their 2014 study, M.S.Crowther and team at UNSW while presenting a case for the reclassification of taxon of the dingo from the widely accepted 'Canis lupus dingo' to 'Canis dingo' wrote: “Historical records describing dingo colours are scant, and mostly not detailed (Elledge et al., 2006). The earliest report of a dingo from 1697 is of a ‘yellowdog’ near Jurien, Western Australia (Abbott, 2008). Collins (1798) reported dingoes in the Sydney region as ‘two colours, the one red with some white about it, and the other quite black’. Explorer Mitchell (1839) reported a ‘small black native dog’ in northern central New South Wales in 1832. Historical descriptions of dingoes from Western Australia during the period 1826–1890, compiled by Abbott (2008), include red, yellow, black, black and white, white, tan and tawny animals.” On the other hand, the descriptions of dingoes described by M.S.Crowther and team based on pre-20th century specimens that were unlikely to have been influenced by hybridisation were as follows: “The small sample of 19th century dingo skins and 18th century illustrations of dingoes we examined shows that there was considerable variability in the colour of dingoes, and that their coloration was not restricted to just yellow and white animals, but also included various combinations of yellow, white, brown and black....The presence of individuals with sable pelage (dark dorsal coloration and lighter 44
lateral coloration: Fig. 6b,d) in the sample of 19th century skins suggests that this coloration is not necessarily indicative of hybridisation as has been suggested by previous authors (Corbett, 1995; Elledge et al., 2008)� We now know from comprehensive DNA studies that there is no populations of purely domestic dogs reproducing in the wild. Proof of this can also be seen in the fact that we don't find wild dog populations in New Zealand or Tasmania where there is also the presence of roaming and stray domestic dogs. These dogs may survive a generation with inbuilt skills learned from hunting alongside men but they do not have the inbuilt instincts to build dens and raise and train their pups how to survive in wild country. So therefore, there are only pure dingoes and dingo hybrids producing offspring in the wilds of Australia. There is no such thing as a wild dog outside of the presence of a dingo in some regard irrespective of purity when it comes to the animals surviving for generations in the wild. Historically there has been packs of roaming and stray domestic dogs in certain countries subsisting off the scraps of man in peri urban and urban areas, but these dogs have not established any viable breeding populations in any wild regions. Why then is the term dog used to describe all of the canids that can be found in both the rural and wild areas of Australia? This contradicting labelling is where the problem lies as far as enforcing a genuine concerted effort to preserve stable populations of dingoes when they are jointly being defined
under the 'wild dog' banner. A perfect example of this contradiction can be seen in the conflicted status of protection of dingoes in Victoria, where at the same time they are considered as pests being defined as wild dogs.
On the 26th of October 2016 a bounty was commenced on their heads, whereby any members of the major state hunting groups and residents or landholders from the areas designated as control areas, predominantly roughly one-third of the entire state east of the central districts, are eligible to hand in a dingo scalp, taken from tail tip to full face mask, to collect the $120 'wild dog' bounty. The hunters simply need to say they killed the animal within the applicable control areas and the money is theirs. Obviously with such a big cash incentive the market for perverting these regulations will be an undoubtable consequence, with dingo scalps from other states such as Queensland transported south of the border reaping a big pay day for the shooters and doggers that stock up their freezers for years with scalps waiting on the next lucrative bounty to commence. This bounty obviously also increases the number of shooters heading out bush to cash in, and with the sheer size of our national and state parks wilderness areas, the chances of hunters getting caught for killing dingoes
45
outside of the designated control areas, and being prosecuted for doing so, is likely to be a needle in a haystack scenario. The misappropriated title of dingoes as wild dogs deliberately feeds into the fear and myths perpetuated to the public, which become the driving forces behind the multi-million dollar state to state 'Wild Dog Control Campaigns' rolled out annually, this same fear also fuels the 'Wild Dog' propaganda machine, which turns public perception to the fantasy that there is marauding packs of Rottweiler sized beasts roaming the countryside killing everything in their wake. These stories have been doing the rounds for a very very long time, the seeds of which were surely sown in the minds of those early European colonists who came here carrying the fear bound myths surrounding the 'blood thirsty' European Wolf. Terrestrial predators from Lynxes to Wolves of course were systematically exterminated in most European lands by the 19th century. This colonial mindset to subdue and subvert nature to the will of man was the very foundation on which Australia was built, established as a rule from the first day the foreign northern hemisphere hard hoofed prey animals were set out to graze on a land never suited ecologically to accommodate their presence. The native predator here, the dingo, was to be this land’s southern hemisphere version of the wolf, the wild and villainous enemy of the civilised and god-fearing settlers, sent here by king and country to tame and break in the
savage land and mysterious beasts of the Antipodes. This colonial conqueror mindset continues to this day and is bolstered by the misinformation filtered to the public by a government complicit to fulfil the wishes of the very powerful corporate branches of the Agricultural industry. The ensuing fear created by this campaign against the Dingo is how they get away with it with impunity. Year in year out.
So in the end we see that the term 'wild dog' itself, used to define dingoes by governmental departments, describes dingoes as dogs, purely to denigrate their natural status and the essential ecological role they play, in doing so belittling their unique ancient DNA lineage as a distinct species, and simplifying their existence to that of a dog which serves to lessen their perceived worthiness of preservation. This campaign of misinformation is a crime that not only fuels the ecocide against dingoes, but also indirectly increases this lands floral degradation and faunal extinction rates, and is certainly not something that future generations are going to applaud.
46
'Dusty the Phantom' was the name given to the local dingo at Brooms Head, affectionately known by some, misunderstood and feared by others, he was targeted after NPWS had received complaints that this young animal was exhibiting dangerous behaviour towards
local dogs, and playfully follow the residents around on the beach that his ancestors had called home for millennia upon millennia, was ended by the NPWS, because their legislated protocol viewed Dusty as a 'Wild Dog' and he was executed for nothing more than a
residents and their pets. This all too common brutal outcome for the dingo is the main reason our native predator is killed on Fraser Island QLD, which in reality in most, if not all of these encounters, is natural dingo play behaviour misinterpreted as aggressive. Sadly, residents of Brooms Head who knew Dusty well, and correctly read his behaviour, believe he was killed for no reason other than a misplaced and misunderstood fear. The life of this young dingo, that loved to run with the
perceived threat. So in the end for Dusty, and millions of other dingoes like him, his fate was sealed by the Dogma of being labelled a Wild Dog. Credits Stephen Otton for the photos of Dusty and his story will be featured in more detail in Stephen's upcoming book with Susan Chaplin called 'Dusty the Phantom’ Cover Image & pups Lyn Watson Australian Dingo Foundation) Zac Forster Board Member Dingo Conservation Solutions NE NSW
47
UPCOMING EVENTS AQC
48
IN SEARCH OF STRIPES The Numbats of Boyagin
story by Paul Sellers
Photography © Sean Van Alphen and Paul Sellers
The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus), Western Australia’s mammal emblem, is an endangered terrestrial marsupial found in a few isolated pockets of Jarrah and Wandoo forest in South Western Australia. It is unusual amongst Australian marsupials, in that it is diurnal and feeds exclusively on termites. For the past three years Sean Van Alphen and I (Paul Sellers) collectively known as The Boyagin Brigade have been indulging ourselves in our hobby of doing drive surveys along the tracks of Boyagin Nature Reserve in search of these fascinating and hard to find animals. Typically a drive survey involves driving along the gravel tracks in the reserve at ten kilometres per hour for up to ten hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of Numbats going about their business, then observing their behaviour and photographing them. Numbats have unique stripe patterns, so by photographing them and entering these photos into our ‘mug shot’ data base, we can identify individual animals and monitor them. We name each new Numbat we observe, and have been able to follow some individuals over several visits (including females that have bred successfully). Whilst we do spot Numbats regularly, their excellent camouflage means that we must drive past many that we don’t see, and we are always curious about these unobserved Numbats. About six months ago we approached the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to obtain approval to set up some transects of remote sensor cameras (camera traps) so we had “eyes and ears” on the ground in Boyagin when we weren’t there. We bought 10 remote sensor cameras and deployed them in Boyagin, in areas where we thought we’d get video footage of wandering Numbats. We have been very pleased with the results of our little project so far. Apart from common animals we expected to capture on our cameras, such as Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), we have been delighted to capture video of Chuditch/Western 50
Quoll, (Dasyurus geoffroii), Western Brush Wallaby (Macropus irma), Woylie/Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata), Gilbert’s Dunnart (Sminthopsis gilberti), Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura), Quenda/Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) and of course our favourite, Numbat. The animals we weren’t delighted to capture on screen were Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We are thrilled that our camera trap project is working well, and we are getting some excellent information and data on the elusive Numbat and other animals in and around Boyagin. We have received approval from DBCA to increase the number of cameras we can deploy to 40, and we have just finished a hugely successful crowd-funding campaign that raised over $8,000, enough to purchase 34 new cameras and increase the area of Boyagin covered by our cameras by a factor of 4. Not a bad result for a couple of mates who decided to get up of the couch, and get out into the environment and enjoy the wildlife. If you want to follow our progress in search of the stripes, go to The Dryandra (Inc Boyagin/Tutanning) a South West Australian Safari: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ dryandra/
51
$/ Quollity Donations Our sincere gratitude to all our supporters - both in Australia and increasingly abroad - who made donations. Your donations, large or small, have been extremely valuable in assisting with our field work. We appreciate your support and we make it publicly known on our Facebook so others can be inspired and hopefully follow your kind example. In time it is our wish that we can help others, like researchers and individuals, that share the same vision in helping conserve Australia’s endemic species that are in peril. We are still growing, but having your exemplary support means that we aren’t alone.  So please distribute this free magazine to as many people as you can so others can also be moved to help
52
Australian Quoll Conservancy Magazine #2 March 2018 Advertising / Inquiries & Stories Submissions email aqc@quolls.org.au