Study

Assisted colonisation trial of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) to a fox-free island

  • Published source details Groenewegen R., Harley D., Hill R. & Coulson G. (2017) Assisted colonisation trial of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) to a fox-free island. Wildlife Research, 44, 484-496.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Release translocated/captive-bred mammals to areas outside historical range

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Release translocated/captive-bred mammals to areas outside historical range

    A study in 2012–2013 on an island with mixed forest and grassland vegetation in Victoria, Australia (Groenewegen et al. 2017) found that, following releases of captive-bred and wild-caught translocated eastern barred bandicoots Perameles gunnii to a red fox Vulpes vulpes-free island outside of the species’ historical range, half of animals survived for at least two months. Nine out of 18 released bandicoots were still alive two months after release while seven survived at least 100 days. Deaths included two to cat predation and two to disease (toxoplasmosis). Between July and September 2012, eighteen eastern barred bandicoots were released on a fox-free island outside of the historical range of the species with 9,000 ha of potentially suitable habitat. Four animals were captive-bred and 14 animals were translocated from a reintroduction site on the mainland. All were fitted with radio-transmitters and PIT-tags to allow tracking and identification of individuals. Each bandicoot was radio-tracked from the day after its release until November 2012.

    (Summarised by: Phil Martin)

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