Fox baiting to start later this month in key eastern wheatbelt reserve

16/11/94

The Department of Conservation and Land Management will begin fox baiting later this month in a key eastern wheatbelt nature reserve so native wildlife populations can be re-established.

Environment Minister Kevin Minson today said the aim was to reintroduce numbats into the Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve between Hyden and Newdegate.

"Re-establishing populations of these rare and endangered species in their former habitat is part of the overall recovery plan for these animals," Mr Minson said.

"Research by CALM has shown that where fox numbers are controlled, populations of native mammals can be re-established.  In some areas, such as Dryandra, where endangered mammals such as numbats and woylies still exist, their numbers increase dramatically after fox baiting.

"In the case of Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve, the species may have to be reintroduced either from captive breed populations or translocation from areas where they occur naturally."

The first biological survey of the reserve in 1972 revealed it was home for the western mouse and the red-tailed wambenger or phascogale.  There also had been reports of numbats and in 1992 the rare Shortridge's mouse or heath-rat was found.

Mr Minson said the 32,000 hectare reserve was a mixture of woodland, low open forest, tall shrubland, scrub and heathland.  It also had fine examples of granite outcrops.

The Dragon Rocks' fox baiting program is part of CALM's overall effort to control introduced predators.  The department also had implemented 'Operation Foxglove' to control fox numbers in more than 500,000 hectare of jarrah forest between Julimar and Collie.

"From this month, 750 baits will be laid by hand at Dragon Rocks every three months," Mr Minson said.

"The operation will be stepped up in October next year using aircraft so that around 12,000 baits a year can be laid before numbats are reintroduced in November."

Mr Minson said CALM would conduct fauna trapping surveys to monitor the populations of native fauna in the reserve and their response to the baiting.

"The reintroduction of these species will help restore the biological diversity of the region," he said.

Mr Minson warned that while native animals could tolerate relatively high levels of 1080, it was lethal to foxes and domestic dogs.

"Dogs are not allowed in nature reserves and people in the area are advised to ensure their dogs do not roam," he said.

Media contact:  Caroline Lacy 222 9595 / 321 2222