❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the translocation of western ringtail possums from development sites by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) between 1994 and 2007, including details on costs, locations, and survival rates.
AnsweredQoN 6342Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What year did the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), formerly the Department of Conservation and Land Management, commence translocating western ringtail possums from development sites?
(2) Which developments have been required to translocate western ringtail possums and who were the developers for each site?
(3) When did the translocations take place from each development?
(4) How many western ringtail possums were translocated from each development?
(5) Where were the western ringtail possums translocated to?
(6) How much habitat was cleared at each development referred to at (2), in hectares?
(7) What information was recorded for each translocated western ringtail possum?
(8) How much was the developer contribution for each translocation event?
(9) Who was the officer responsible for each translocation?
(10) Which translocation events have been monitored for western ringtail possum survival?
(11) How many western ringtail possums were radio-collared?
(12) For each translocated western ringtail possum that has been monitored, -
(a) where and when did the monitoring take place; and
(b) what was the survival rate for each translocated western ringtail possum that was monitored after one year, two years and five years?
(13) How much money has the DEC received in developer contributions for western ringtail possum translocations up to 30 June 2007?
(14) Does the Minister believe that the translocation of western ringtail possums from development sites is successful in conserving the species as compared to in-situ conservation?
(15) Will the Minister table the latest evidence that shows the efficacy of the western ringtail possum translocation programme?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(2) Which developments have been required to translocate western ringtail possums and who were the developers for each site?
(3) When did the translocations take place from each development?
(4) How many western ringtail possums were translocated from each development?
(5) Where were the western ringtail possums translocated to?
(6) How much habitat was cleared at each development referred to at (2), in hectares?
(7) What information was recorded for each translocated western ringtail possum?
(8) How much was the developer contribution for each translocation event?
(9) Who was the officer responsible for each translocation?
(10) Which translocation events have been monitored for western ringtail possum survival?
(11) How many western ringtail possums were radio-collared?
(12) For each translocated western ringtail possum that has been monitored, -
(a) where and when did the monitoring take place; and
(b) what was the survival rate for each translocated western ringtail possum that was monitored after one year, two years and five years?
(13) How much money has the DEC received in developer contributions for western ringtail possum translocations up to 30 June 2007?
(14) Does the Minister believe that the translocation of western ringtail possums from development sites is successful in conserving the species as compared to in-situ conservation?
(15) Will the Minister table the latest evidence that shows the efficacy of the western ringtail possum translocation programme?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2008
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
29 days
(1) 1994.
(2) The following is a list of developments and associated developers:
Port Geographe - Tallwood Nominees
Busselton Aquatic Centre - Shire of Busselton
East Busselton Primary School - Department of Education and Training
Dalyellup - Satterley Property Group
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - Department of Education and Training
Novacare - Novacare Busselton Village
Cape View, Little Colin Street - Pindan Seas
CapeCare / Ray Village - CapeCare
National Lifestyle Villages - National Lifestyle Villages.
(3) The following is a list of developments and translocation dates:
Port Geographe - May 1994, April, July, and November - December 1995, February and April-May 1996
Busselton Aquatic Centre - March 1997
East Busselton Primary School - October 1997
Dalyellup - May, July and October 1999, April and November 2000, July 2004
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - June-July 2001
Novacare - September 2001, January, March and June 2004
Cape View, Little Colin Street - January 2004 and July 2007
CapeCare / Ray Village - November 2004 and November 2006
National Lifestyle Villages - November 2005.
(4) The following is a list of developments and numbers of western ringtail possums translocated:
Port Geographe - 49
Busselton Aquatic Centre - 14
East Busselton Primary School - 15
Dalyellup - 57
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - 11
Novacare - 67
Cape View, Little Colin Street - 47
CapeCare / Ray Village - 56
National Lifestyle Villages - 19.
(5) Yalgorup National Park and Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park.
(6) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(7) Standard morphometric data are recorded at the time of capture for all translocated western ringtail possums,
i.e.
weight, sex, head length, head-body and tail length, pouch condition (examined for evidence of current, recent and previous breeding and assessed to determine if pouch young are present and if so, the sex of the pouch young), testes size and an assessment of body condition. Translocated western ringtail possums subsequently re-caught are re-examined and the above data are re-recorded.
Since 2006 samples as
part of general health screening
have been collected for h
aematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, cloacal microbiology (including screening for salmonella), faecal parasitology, and ectoparasite identification.
Swabs have also been taken for chlamydia screening and serum has been collected for toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and cryptococcosis.
For radio-collared translocated western ringtail possums, survivorship, habitat use (use of tree hollows, construction and use of dreys, diurnal rest site use and nocturnal foraging patterns), home range size and overlap, dispersal patterns and habitat partitioning with the common brushtail possum are recorded post release.
Spotlighting is carried out to assess population size and presence of recruits to the population.
(8) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of DEC files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(9) The DEC scientist responsible is Paul de Tores.
(10) A subset of radio-collared western ringtail possum from all translocations has been monitored.
(11) 159.
(12) (a)Monitoring at the translocation release sites has been from immediately post release until funds from developers were exhausted. For those western ringtail possums translocated post 1996, monitoring has continued as a result of funds from an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant awarded to DEC and Murdoch University.
(b)The length of time of survival for each translocated western ringtail possum varies from a few days up to six years. Causes of death have included predation by foxes, cats, pythons, chuditch and raptors, high parasite burden, gastritis and toxoplasmosis.
However, the survival time for individual animals does not give an accurate measure of the population's survival. An individual that succumbs to predation after several years, for example, may have produced offspring. This means there could be a net increase in the population despite that individual's death.
Based on the methodology most widely accepted in the scientific literature, DEC assesses translocation survivorship for the western ringtail possum by using a modelling approach combined with spotlighting data, records of recruits to the population, habitat use, the condition of recaptured possums post-release, the extent of breeding, the sex ratio of young, dispersal patterns, habitat partitioning with the common brushtail possum
Trichosurus vulpecula
, and the extent to which introduced and native predators actively seek the western ringtail possum as prey.
DEC research has shown the survival rate of the translocated populations is comparable to survivorship in naturally occurring western ringtail possum populations. The only site where translocation success is equivocal is Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, where predation by feral cats and carpet pythons appears to be limiting translocation success. This phenomenon, known as mesopredator release (
i.e.
an increase in subordinate predators such as cats and pythons in response to a reduction in the dominant predator, foxes) is now being addressed.
(13) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of DEC files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(14) Translocation has been successful, with some qualification at Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park (see the answer to 12(b)).
Translocation in response to developments is part of balancing biodiversity conservation needs with urban and other development.
(15) Yes. See tabled papers [ ] which are listed below. Peer reviewed scientific journal articles are currently in preparation.
de Tores, P. J. and Rosier, S. M. (1997). Harvey Basin Allocation Plan: Western Ringtail Possum Survey. Unpublished report prepared for the Waters and Rivers Commission. Perth, Western Australia.
de Tores, P. J., Rosier, S. M. and Paine, G. (1998). Conserving the western ringtail possum.
Landscope
13 (4): 28-35.
de Tores, P. J. (2003). Translocation as a tool for conservation management of the western ringtail possum from south west Western Australia. In:
3rd International Wildlife Management Congress
. Christchurch, New Zealand.
de Tores, P. J., Hayward, M. W. and Rosier, S. M. (2004). The western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
, and the quokka,
Setonix brachyurus
, case studies:
Western Shield
review - February 2003.
Conservation Science Western Australia
5 (2):235-257.
de Tores, P. J. (2004). Translocation of the western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
. What constitutes translocation success, what have we learnt and what is required for effective conservation management. In:
Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS) Conference 2004
. Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
de Tores, P. J., Guthrie, N., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2005). The western ringtail possum - a resilient species or another taxon on the decline?
Western Wildlife
9 (3):4-5.
de Tores, P. J., Rosier, S., Guthrie, N., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2005). The western ringtail possum - a resilient species or another taxon on the decline? (Part 2).
Western Wildlife
9 (4):1 & 4-5.
de Tores, P. (2005). A proposal for translocation of the western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
, an arboreal marsupial endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Unpublished report prepared for the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management. Perth, Western Australia.
de Tores, P., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2006). Conservation management of the Western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
. SPP # 1993/0142. In Annual Research Activity Report July 2004-June 2005, Science Division. Discovering the Nature of WA. pp: 66-68.
http://www.naturebase.net/science/science.html
de Tores, P. J. (2008). Western Ringtail Possum. In:
The Mammals of Australia.
Third Edition. (S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan, Eds). Reed New Holland. Sydney.
de Tores, P., Rosier, S., Jackson, J., Clarke, J. and Aravidis, L. (2008). Working to conserve the western ringtail possum.
Landscope
23 (4): 54-61.
(16) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(2) The following is a list of developments and associated developers:
Port Geographe - Tallwood Nominees
Busselton Aquatic Centre - Shire of Busselton
East Busselton Primary School - Department of Education and Training
Dalyellup - Satterley Property Group
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - Department of Education and Training
Novacare - Novacare Busselton Village
Cape View, Little Colin Street - Pindan Seas
CapeCare / Ray Village - CapeCare
National Lifestyle Villages - National Lifestyle Villages.
(3) The following is a list of developments and translocation dates:
Port Geographe - May 1994, April, July, and November - December 1995, February and April-May 1996
Busselton Aquatic Centre - March 1997
East Busselton Primary School - October 1997
Dalyellup - May, July and October 1999, April and November 2000, July 2004
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - June-July 2001
Novacare - September 2001, January, March and June 2004
Cape View, Little Colin Street - January 2004 and July 2007
CapeCare / Ray Village - November 2004 and November 2006
National Lifestyle Villages - November 2005.
(4) The following is a list of developments and numbers of western ringtail possums translocated:
Port Geographe - 49
Busselton Aquatic Centre - 14
East Busselton Primary School - 15
Dalyellup - 57
Busselton School site abutting Aquatic (Recreation) Centre - 11
Novacare - 67
Cape View, Little Colin Street - 47
CapeCare / Ray Village - 56
National Lifestyle Villages - 19.
(5) Yalgorup National Park and Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park.
(6) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(7) Standard morphometric data are recorded at the time of capture for all translocated western ringtail possums,
i.e.
weight, sex, head length, head-body and tail length, pouch condition (examined for evidence of current, recent and previous breeding and assessed to determine if pouch young are present and if so, the sex of the pouch young), testes size and an assessment of body condition. Translocated western ringtail possums subsequently re-caught are re-examined and the above data are re-recorded.
Since 2006 samples as
part of general health screening
have been collected for h
aematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, cloacal microbiology (including screening for salmonella), faecal parasitology, and ectoparasite identification.
Swabs have also been taken for chlamydia screening and serum has been collected for toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis and cryptococcosis.
For radio-collared translocated western ringtail possums, survivorship, habitat use (use of tree hollows, construction and use of dreys, diurnal rest site use and nocturnal foraging patterns), home range size and overlap, dispersal patterns and habitat partitioning with the common brushtail possum are recorded post release.
Spotlighting is carried out to assess population size and presence of recruits to the population.
(8) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of DEC files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(9) The DEC scientist responsible is Paul de Tores.
(10) A subset of radio-collared western ringtail possum from all translocations has been monitored.
(11) 159.
(12) (a)Monitoring at the translocation release sites has been from immediately post release until funds from developers were exhausted. For those western ringtail possums translocated post 1996, monitoring has continued as a result of funds from an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant awarded to DEC and Murdoch University.
(b)The length of time of survival for each translocated western ringtail possum varies from a few days up to six years. Causes of death have included predation by foxes, cats, pythons, chuditch and raptors, high parasite burden, gastritis and toxoplasmosis.
However, the survival time for individual animals does not give an accurate measure of the population's survival. An individual that succumbs to predation after several years, for example, may have produced offspring. This means there could be a net increase in the population despite that individual's death.
Based on the methodology most widely accepted in the scientific literature, DEC assesses translocation survivorship for the western ringtail possum by using a modelling approach combined with spotlighting data, records of recruits to the population, habitat use, the condition of recaptured possums post-release, the extent of breeding, the sex ratio of young, dispersal patterns, habitat partitioning with the common brushtail possum
Trichosurus vulpecula
, and the extent to which introduced and native predators actively seek the western ringtail possum as prey.
DEC research has shown the survival rate of the translocated populations is comparable to survivorship in naturally occurring western ringtail possum populations. The only site where translocation success is equivocal is Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, where predation by feral cats and carpet pythons appears to be limiting translocation success. This phenomenon, known as mesopredator release (
i.e.
an increase in subordinate predators such as cats and pythons in response to a reduction in the dominant predator, foxes) is now being addressed.
(13) These details are not readily available. A comprehensive search of DEC files over the past 14 years would be required to answer this question.
(14) Translocation has been successful, with some qualification at Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park (see the answer to 12(b)).
Translocation in response to developments is part of balancing biodiversity conservation needs with urban and other development.
(15) Yes. See tabled papers [ ] which are listed below. Peer reviewed scientific journal articles are currently in preparation.
de Tores, P. J. and Rosier, S. M. (1997). Harvey Basin Allocation Plan: Western Ringtail Possum Survey. Unpublished report prepared for the Waters and Rivers Commission. Perth, Western Australia.
de Tores, P. J., Rosier, S. M. and Paine, G. (1998). Conserving the western ringtail possum.
Landscope
13 (4): 28-35.
de Tores, P. J. (2003). Translocation as a tool for conservation management of the western ringtail possum from south west Western Australia. In:
3rd International Wildlife Management Congress
. Christchurch, New Zealand.
de Tores, P. J., Hayward, M. W. and Rosier, S. M. (2004). The western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
, and the quokka,
Setonix brachyurus
, case studies:
Western Shield
review - February 2003.
Conservation Science Western Australia
5 (2):235-257.
de Tores, P. J. (2004). Translocation of the western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
. What constitutes translocation success, what have we learnt and what is required for effective conservation management. In:
Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS) Conference 2004
. Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
de Tores, P. J., Guthrie, N., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2005). The western ringtail possum - a resilient species or another taxon on the decline?
Western Wildlife
9 (3):4-5.
de Tores, P. J., Rosier, S., Guthrie, N., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2005). The western ringtail possum - a resilient species or another taxon on the decline? (Part 2).
Western Wildlife
9 (4):1 & 4-5.
de Tores, P. (2005). A proposal for translocation of the western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
, an arboreal marsupial endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Unpublished report prepared for the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management. Perth, Western Australia.
de Tores, P., Jackson, J. and Bertram, I. (2006). Conservation management of the Western ringtail possum,
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
. SPP # 1993/0142. In Annual Research Activity Report July 2004-June 2005, Science Division. Discovering the Nature of WA. pp: 66-68.
http://www.naturebase.net/science/science.html
de Tores, P. J. (2008). Western Ringtail Possum. In:
The Mammals of Australia.
Third Edition. (S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan, Eds). Reed New Holland. Sydney.
de Tores, P., Rosier, S., Jackson, J., Clarke, J. and Aravidis, L. (2008). Working to conserve the western ringtail possum.
Landscope
23 (4): 54-61.
(16) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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