The breeding and re-establishment of the brush-tailed bettong, Bettongia penicillata, in South Australia

Published source details Delroy L.B., Earl J., Radbone I., Robinson A.C. & Hewett M. (1986) The breeding and re-establishment of the brush-tailed bettong, Bettongia penicillata, in South Australia. Australian Wildlife Research, 13, 387-396.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release translocated/captive-bred mammals to islands without invasive predators Action Link

Release translocated/captive-bred mammals to islands without invasive predators

A replicated study in 1979–1984 of shrubland and grassland on five islands in South Australia, Australia (Delroy et al. 1986) found that captive-bred and wild-born brush-tailed bettong Bettongia penicillata populations released onto islands free of foxes Vulpes vulpes, rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus or cats Felis catus increased in number on two of the four islands on which they were released and monitored. On one island, seven founders increased to ≥53 animals in four years. On a second island, 10 founders increased to 12 animals (five born on the island), 14 months later. Forty released on a third island declined to one after two years. Six released on a fourth island were predated by dogs Canis lupus familiaris after an unspecified period. On a fifth island, where 11 were released, animals persisted for up to 12 months, but were not formally monitored. Releases were of captive-bred animals, except those on the second island, which were wild-bred offspring from the population established on the first island. Releases were made in 1979–1983 and were monitored, primarily by live-trapping, up to April 1984. The results of this study are also included in (Short et al. 1992).

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)