Two of WA's most threatened mammals reintroduced into the Shark Bay region

13/5/98

Two of Western Australia's most threatened mammals have been reintroduced into the Shark Bay region, more than 80 years after they became extinct on mainland WA.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the recent arrival of Banded Hare-wallabies (Lagostrophus fasciatus) from Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, and Rufous Hare-wallabies (Lagorchestes hirsutus) from the Tanami Desert back into mainland WA were the first stage in the recovery program for these species.

The Minister said the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) was making great strides in native animal recovery as a result of introduced predator control methods on more than 3.4 million hectares of CALM managed lands.

"Through the Western Shield wildlife project, CALM has been able to bring a number of native animals back from the brink of extinction by controlling introduced predators, the European fox and feral cat," she said.

"Three native animal species, the woylie, tammar wallaby and quenda have been removed from the State's endangered species list in the past two years as a result of the Western Shield program."

Mrs Edwardes said introduced predators had wreaked havoc on native animal populations with some extinct and many now existing in low numbers in limited areas.

"For the last 80 years or so the Banded Hare-wallaby has been restricted to only Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, while the Rufous Hare-wallaby was restricted to these two islands and the Tanami Desert in central Australia," she said.

"The Banded Hare-wallaby originally occurred throughout the South-West while the Rufous Hare-wallaby was distributed across large areas of WA , Northern Territory and far north-west of SA.

"Both species now only occur either on island nature reserves that are fox and cat free, or in predator-free enclosures."

Mrs Edwardes said predator control through comprehensive 1080 baiting paved the way for threatened native animals to be reintroduced into former ranges.

"CALM's ultimate objective is to restore the original fauna to their original levels of abundance," she said.

"During the past two weeks, CALM staff have captured Western Barred bandicoots, Banded Hare-wallabies and Boodies from Bernier and Dorre Islands and moved them to feral predator proof enclosures on the mainland.

"In addition Rufous Hare-wallabies have been flown in from the Tanami Desert in cooperation with the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission.

"Twenty of each of the three species captured from the islands were flown to Dryandra in the Wheatbelt region, with another 20 Banded Hare-wallabies and Western Barred Bandicoots taken to Peron Peninsula in the Shark Bay region.

"Numbers of animals will be increased in purpose built breeding cages before being released at sites in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields regions and in Peron Peninsula .

"The captive breeding and reintroduction of animals to Peron is part of fauna recovery plans for Project Eden - a component of the Western Shield program.

"Project Eden is an exciting plan by CALM to turn the 105,000 ha Peron Peninsula into a haven for threatened native animals.

"Since the project began three years ago, foxes have all but been eliminated and feral cats have been significantly reduced resulting in the successful reintroduction of the woylie and mallee fowl several months ago."

Mrs Edwardes said introduced predator control and native animal recovery had a secondary beneficial effect for Western Australia - it would be a strong impetus for nature-based tourism.

"The third phase of Project Eden is the development of eco-tourism infrastructure such as a visitor interpretation centre and accommodation facilities.

"These will help facilitate public access so that people can view and learn about native animals and the conservation efforts to protect them," she said.

"If each of the 100,000 visitors currently visiting Monkey Mia each year stayed one additional day, it would add $5 million per annum to revenue in the Shark Bay area."

Media contact: Ministerial Nicole Trigwell on (08) 9421 7777

CALM Executive Director Dr Syd Shea on (08) 9442 0325