In an ever-changing climate with increasing pressures from urbanisation and pest predators, Australia’s native mammals face many challenges. As part of the federally funded Wild Otways Initiative, a feasibility study was conducted into the translocation of Swamp antechinus within the Otways.
The Swamp antechinus is found in disjunct, fragmented habitat across south-eastern Australia – mainly coastal Victoria and south-east South Australia. Their populations have become geographically isolated from each other, meaning that genetics cannot naturally flow between groups. Translocations and reintroductions can be pivotal in saving species from extinction by increasing genetic diversity and population health.
Zoos Victoria conducted extensive live trapping and genetic analysis of Swamp antechinus in the eastern and western Otways, working with Traditional Owners across Maar Nation and Wadawurrung Country to understand the cultural considerations of translocations.
Suitable habitat was assessed across the region, with the best quality vegetation most likely to support Swamp antechinus identified and recommended for future translocations and reintroductions of the species. Researchers and land managers now have a clear understanding of where Swamp antechinus occur, and which populations require ‘genetic rescue’.
Identifying the best quality habitat and the genetic diversity of populations means land managers can now prioritise targeted pest animal control and habitat protection to achieve the most beneficial outcomes for the species.
The project team was led by Dr Marissa Parrott and Dr Jemma Cripps (Zoos Victoria) in collaboration with Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd and the Conservation Ecology Centre.
This project linked directly with the Small Mammal Conservation Project of the Wild Otways Initiative through targeted research. Researchers from Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd and the Conservation Ecology Centre collaborated with Zoos Victoria in data sharing and fieldwork.
Funding from the Rewilding project also contributed to assessing the diet of feral cats and foxes in the Otway Ranges, the potential of mesopredator release in the Eastern Otways and the installation and operationalisation of artificial habitat refuges for wildlife to use post-fire.
The projects involved close collaboration with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, providing opportunity for Traditional Owners to have direct input into how their country is managed.
The Australian Government’s Wild Otway initiative was a three-year $6m commitment to threatened species management and pest animal control in the greater Otways region that ran from 2020-2023. The Initiative delivered a Community Environment Grants Program and five commissioned sub-projects - pig and deer eradication, fox and cat management, Phytophthora dieback disease management, small mammal conservation and a rewilding project exploring the feasibility of translocations and reintroductions as conservation measures for threatened mammals in the region.
Findings from the sub-projects can be found on the Wild Otways Initiative web-portal. All data, findings and recommendations have been shared with relevant local land management agencies. For further information contact us.
The project area for the initiative covered the area from Jan Juc/Bells Beach to Peterborough, and the Great Otway National Park and hinterlands (Otways Region) in South West Victoria.
The initiative was delivered in the Greater Otways region of Victoria from 2020-2023.
This project was funded by the Australian Government. This project ran from 2020-2023.
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T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
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