As wild populations dwindle, construction has commenced on northern Australia's first feral predator-free safe haven, which will play a critical role in staving off the extinction of the Northern Bettong. This species is listed among the 20 Australian mammals at greatest risk of extinction in the next 20 years.
The first post on the 13-kilometre fence was installed in the Coane Range at Australian Wildlife Conservancy's (AWC) Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary in north-east Queensland. The Coane Range contains prime Northern Bettong habitat, which will allow AWC to reintroduce the species.
Josh McAllister/AWC Construction of the fence, which will protect an area of 950-hectares, is expected to take up to three months but required three years of planning to ensure it could withstand the environmental stresses of tropical Australia. In addition to being a feral predator-proof fence, it needs to be able to hold out against occasional cyclones and provide a barrier over 30 creek crossings. As a result, every fourth post along the fence will be a tougher, standstill maxi-post to withstand tropical winds. Special consideration is being given to reinforce creek crossings to help prevent the fence from being swept away during big flows. Thirty-eight motion-sensor cameras have been deployed on a 500m grid across the 950ha area to detect feral predators during the eradication phase. These cameras will remain in situ to monitor any potential breaches by feral predators. Additional cameras will be deployed along the fence line and road networks during the eradication phase.
Josh 'Macca' McAllister, AWC Sanctuary Manager for Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary, welcomed the start of construction, saying it's a momentous and critical step towards protecting the Northern Bettong.
"We have waited three years and worked through a number of unexpected obstacles to get to this point," Macca explained. "It's a big operation for a relatively small fence with a lot of challenges but it will be worth all the effort once we're able to reintroduce the Northern Bettong, which has been locally-extinct from Mount Zero since 2004."
"As we resolve each issue and get closer to completing the project, there's definitely a renewed sense of hope amongst the team for the species."
Wayne Lawler/AWC Once construction is complete and before Northern Bettongs can be reintroduced, Mount Zero's field team will conduct intensive baiting, trapping and monitoring to remove any feral cats from within the fenced area.
"We already have cameras monitoring the area for predators and they have recorded two cats so far," said Josh. "But my feeling is that we might have half a dozen to remove."
Construction of the fence comes at a critical time, with a recent survey of the Northern Bettong population on Mount Carbine Tableland indicating ongoing decline over the last two years. The study was conducted by AWC in partnership with Western Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) Traditional Owners and Rangers as well as Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Individuals from the population, which is one of the last two surviving wild populations, were detected a mere 26 times during a camera trap survey in April and May 2022, this is a drop from the 117 detections during a prior survey in August 2020.
Wayne Lawler/AWC The small size of this population is very concerning given the recent local extinction of Northern Bettongs at nearby Mount Windsor National Park. The team suggested that changes to habitat structure caused by thickets of invasive Lantana, rainforest encroachment and feral herbivores may be factors that have contributed to the decrease in Northern Bettongs.
"The results of the latest survey are sobering and a reminder of the urgent action needed to safeguard the Northern Bettong," said Dr Manuela Fischer, AWC Wildlife Ecologist.
While once found across the Wet Tropics to central Queensland, predation by feral cats, inappropriate fire regimes, and the impact of ferals like pigs and livestock on habitat has seen the species restricted to the tall, open eucalypt forests and woodlands adjacent to the rainforests of North Queensland. Only two secure populations remain - one, on the Lamb Range, estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals, and a second smaller population on Mount Carbine Tableland.
The establishment of a third, secure population at Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary within a 950-hectare feral predator-free area is a critical step in ensuring a future for the species.
Sally Gray/AWC In addition to building the fence, AWC will closely monitor the Northern Bettong once it is reintroduced to the site and conduct ongoing management within the fenced area to ensure the habitat remains optimal for population growth.
AWC has implemented a land management program at Mount Zero-Taravale over several years specific to managing key threats and restoring the Northern Bettong habitat. Land management has included weed control, destocking of cattle and fencing, and re-establishing a fire regime of frequent, patchy and varied fire intensity. Through these efforts, the grassy understorey of the tall eucalypt forest, the key habitat for the Northern Bettong, is showing signs of recovery. AWC is working closely with Traditional Owners, the Northern Bettong Recovery Team and other key project partners to deliver this critical project.
Construction of the fence at Mount Zero-Taravale is possible thanks to funding from the Commonwealth Government's Environment Restoration Fund – Safe Haven Grant, the Oak Foundation as well as donations from AWC supporters around the world.
It will be AWC's ninth feral predator-free fenced area and the first in northern Australia. Other fenced areas can be found at: Karakamia and Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in WA, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary near Alice Springs, Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary in SA, Western River Refuge on Kangaroo Island and Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary in NSW as well as two NSW government partnership sites at Mallee Cliffs National Park and Pilliga State Conservation Area. AWC also manages the feral predator-free Faure Island.
