Endangered dibbler reintroduced to Peniup

3/10/01
More than 40 endangered native dibblers will be released into the proposed Peniup nature reserve east of Albany today as part of the State's wildlife recovery program Western Shield.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said the aim of the reintroduction was to establish a second mainland population of the species, which at present can only be found in the wild in Fitzgerald River National Park on the State's south coast and on three small islands off the west coast.
Agile climbers, the small carnivorous marsupials are identified by their speckled fur, thick and hairy tail and a distinctive white ring around each eye.
Dibblers were thought to be extinct since the early 1900s, until the species was rediscovered in 1967 on the south coast, east of Albany.
"The Peniup translocation is the first reintroduction of the species on mainland Australia, and is the result of fruitful collaboration between Government agencies, universities and the community through the Dibbler Recovery Team," Dr Edwards said.
The release site was specifically chosen as it contained suitable habitat for the species and was part of the Western Shield aerial baiting and fauna reintroduction program.
"In agreement with the Department of Land Administration, the proposed 6,530ha Peniup nature reserve is currently managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management as a nature reserve in anticipation of a change of tenure and vesting," the Minister said.
"The area is currently baited for foxes by the Department's Albany District staff and mammal population monitoring is carried out in spring and autumn each year. The continuing program will assist in monitoring the new dibbler population.
"The trapping program is carried out with the assistance of volunteers from the Malleefowl Preservation Group based at Ongerup."
Dr Edwards said that of the 42 dibblers to be released, 37 were captive bred at Perth Zoo.
"The reintroduction group consists of five of the original 11 wild-caught animals, seven zoo-born in 2000 and 30 zoo-born in 2001," she said.
"The adults comprise seven males and five females, while the young comprise 14 males and 16 females.
"Thirty of these animals have been fitted with radio-collars for intensive monitoring after the release today."
Dr Edwards said that the reintroduction would continue with the release of a second group of dibblers at Peniup in October 2002.
The Peniup reintroduction follows the successful translocation of dibblers to Escape Island off Jurien Bay in 1999.
Media contact: Minister John Carey on 9220 5050