Construction of feral barrier to protect Shark Bay's wildlife

3/8/95

A project to protect and preserve Shark Bay's native wildlife has entered a new stage with the construction of a 3.4 km feral barrier across Peron Peninsula's narrow neck.

Environment Minister Peter Foss said Project Eden had entered a new phase with the construction of the fence across the Taillefer Isthmus, which would help create a 100,000 hectare feral-free haven for native wildlife species to be reintroduced.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management project will prevent the reinvasion of the peninsula by foxes, cats, goats and rabbits which wreak havoc on many small native species.

"CALM scientists believe it was predatory activity by foxes and feral cats in particular that caused the local extinction of small native animals such as the boodie, rufous hare-wallaby and Shark Bay mouse," Mr Foss said.

"The specially designed electric feral barrier will be installed from Shell Beach across to Nanga Station but will not interfere with normal traffic on the Hamelin-Denham Road."

To prevent cats and foxes getting across the existing road grid, a deterrent ammonia scent pad will be used with the barrier, with a return wing on either side of the road.

Mr Foss said the electric wires used on the 2.4 metre-high mesh fence would be standard cattle-type wires, which put out 8.4 amps with a pulsed charge.  Appropriate warning signs would be placed along the fence.

"Erection of the feral barrier signals an exciting new phase in Project Eden," the Minister said.

"After excellent fox baiting results and promising signs early in the cat control program, the barrier represents the next step in providing refuge for reintroduction candidates such as the banded-hare wallaby, woylie, western barred bandicoot and red-tailed phascogale."

Mr Foss said the next stage would be a comprehensive aerial baiting program planned for the Peron Peninsula in September.  As well as reducing the feral threat, the program would provide valuable new information about the behaviour of feral cats in the wild.

Media contact: Stacey Molloy 321 2222 or 222 9595, or for more specific information Keith Cunningham at CALM's Denham office on (099) 48 1208.