Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Signs of recovery for Kangaroo Island wildlife

Signs of recovery for Kangaroo Island wildlife
April 1, 2020

Sightings of the tiny and rare Kangaroo Island dunnart have been captured on wildlife motion-sensing cameras by the non-governmental organisation Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife.

The sightings of these tiny dunnarts are particularly heartening after fears habitat destruction from the summer’s devastating bushfires would decimate the threatened nocturnal marsupials already only numbering between 300 and 500.

Fires burned about 200,000 hectares of land, almost half the island, and especially the protected areas in which dunnarts are found.

South Australia Department for Environment and Water Chief Ecologist, Dr Dan Rogers said specialist advice from some of the world’s leading experts in the rare species was helping.

Dr Rogers advised that he received a phone call from Professor Chris Dickman, a dunnart expert, who explained the biggest risk during the fire and immediately after.

Dr Rogers noted that “after the fire the dunnarts that survived were being found in relatively high densities in unburnt patches and we thought they would be honey pots for the remaining cats on the island… we tried to reduce the risk from the cats.”

Now, the mouse-like creatures that have a pouch like a kangaroo for their babies and are related to quolls and Tasmanian devils, are looking safer with Dr Rogers commenting “they have got a lot of fight for their size.”

More than 90% of the dunnart’s habitat was burned and the non-governmental organisation Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife is working with landowners and National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia to monitor the threatened species.

About 50 motion-sensing cameras are set up in 10 of the larger unburnt patches of parkland and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy has built a cat-proof fence around one dunnart population on private land on the west coast of Kangaroo Island.

Early work to use aeration pumps to mimic water movement and improve circulation also appears to have helped save the only platypus habitat on the island in the burned Rocky River region of the Flinders Chase National Park.

The rare duck-billed semi-aquatic mammals survived the fire that destroyed vegetation along with the nearby visitor centre, housing and campground.

Fears ash and soil runoff from land denuded of vegetation would rob their pond of oxygen were quickly addressed.

Dr Rogers explained “we installed the pumps before two days of rain, a lot of ash went into the pond but the platypus survived that with the pumps providing benefits.”

He said volunteer support and donations from around the world to protect wildlife had been overwhelming, even famed actors like Jamie Foxx in the United States fundraised for Kangaroo Island wildlife highlighting that “some of these species people around the world have never even heard about and suddenly people are donating to help them, the profile of threatened species throughout the bushfires has been remarkable.

“There are many species on Kangaroo Island found elsewhere in the country but because they have been isolated they have their own unique forms.”

Dr Rogers said COVID-19 had not disrupted the remote work at this stage but would be continually reassessed as guidelines came into play, with the main issue being people travelling to and from the island.

Related Articles

11th March 2020 - Adelaide Fringe Events support Kangaroo Island Recovery

6th February 2020 - Starving Kangaroo Island wildlife receive their first much needed aerial food drop

23rd January 2020 - Zoos SA plans wildlife recovery strategies following bushfires

15th January 2020 - Environmental and wildlife organisations meet to steer recovery process following bushfires

5th January 2020 - Bushfires push numerous Australian animal species towards extinction

31st December 2019 - Heroic effort by zookeepers saves Mogo Wildlife Park from devastating bushfires

18th November 2019 - Aussie Ark calls for wildlife support during bushfires


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 

SWIMPLEX AQUATICS

Swimplex Aquatics are a world-class company dedicated to the commercial pool, waterslide industry. We are Australian market leaders servicing all states Australia wide. Swimplex provide a full…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business