Science Division Research Project:
Translocation outcomes and monitoring of naturally occurring populations of
the western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis)
Western ringtail possum
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
Project Context
The ability to control introduced predators at a landscape scale is central
to effective conservation management and to the success of DEC's Western
Shield program. However, the long-term success of Western Shield will depend
not only on the Department's ability to control foxes and cats, but also on
the outcome of fauna translocation programs. It is important to demonstrate
these translocations can result in a long-term sustained recovery. To date,
the outcome of many localised translocation programs has been varied. Possible
causes for the lack of translocation success has been attributed to a suite
of factors including drought, mesopredator release, prey switching, unsuitable
habitat at release sites, anthropogenic disturbances (including fire and fire
management practices), disease (including pre-existing disease/poor health of
released founding stock) and competition with sympatric native species.
The western ringtail possum translocation program commenced in 1991 and by
1998 appeared to have met the criteria for success. The primary translocation
release site, Leschenault
Peninsula Conservation Park, subsequently suffered a population collapse.
Possible causes for the collapse at Leschenault include those listed above,
with the additional confounding factor of changes made to the 1080 baiting regime.
These changes may have resulted in an increase in fox abundance/presence. All
other western ringtail possum translocation release sites are yet to meet the
criteria for success.
Project Aims
- To determine translocation success at Leschenault Peninsula Conservation
Park and Yalgorup National Park
Related Resources
Landscope articles
Contact Information
Paul De Tores
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