Threatened Species Commissioner in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Government organisation

Threatened Species Commissioner

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Address: King Edward Terrace 2600 Canberra, ACT, Australia

Website: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/commissioner

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25.01.2022 Indigenous feral cat hunting is making a difference for the long term survival of threatened species. A new study published in the journal ‘Wildlife Research’ has found that cat hunting by Indigenous tracking experts was a very efficient method of controlling cats at localised sites. On average, feral cat hunts lasted around 62 minutes per cat and a team of four hunters could catch up to four cats in one day. The long-term data from this study also suggested that threatened ...species such as the Bilby and Great Desert Skink have persisted better in areas where there is an active presence of hunters. The ability to follow individual cats known to be hunting at threatened species sites allows this method to be very specific, targeting the individual predators that are pursuing the native wildlife. Importantly, this feral cat control technique also provides other co-benefits that contribute to the health of country (improved fire regimes) and the health and wellbeing of people. You can read the research here: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR20035 https://www.facebook.com/kiwirrkurra/posts/2770318233240010

25.01.2022 A handy new tool for WA citizen scientists! West Australian water watchers can now log their whale observations via a new app called Marine Fauna Sightings. The app is easy to use and contains loads of information on the more commonly sighted species found off the WA coast. Users can upload pictures with their reports of sightings of animals such as whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. Each year tens of thousands of whales migrate along the Australian coastline. These includ...e humpback whales, which can be seen in WA as far north as the Kimberley over winter, and are now making their way back south to Antarctic feeding grounds. The stunning green turtle is another example of a species you can record with this new app. They can be spotted in the north of WA and will start nesting soon (October to February). When nesting and migration is not on the agenda, green turtles like to forage and relax in seagrass meadows. Your sightings can help further our knowledge and understanding of marine fauna ecology as well as help inform management strategies, such as measures to avoid or reduce entanglements. Developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in collaboration with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and antarctica.gov.au, with funding from the FRDC, the app is available on Android and iOS just search for ‘Marine Fauna Sightings’ to download to your mobile and help WA’s marine fauna. : Humpback whales (credit - Richard Freeman). Green turtle, Ningaloo Marine Area (credit - Tony Howard)

23.01.2022 This week’s Beastie Brainbuster is in the form of a poem (thanks to one of our younger followers!) Who Am I? We are small marsupials of the night... Digging for fungi is our delight Living amongst the bush, I was thought extinct But we managed to survive through our natural instinct I call Two People’s Bay my home Where I dig under bush and sedge to sleep Our dense brown grey fur would be hard to comb Although I have long hind feet, I don’t do giant leaps Now I have given you my clues Can you deduce my name?

23.01.2022 This week, a virtual workshop was held to inform the next steps in the long-term recovery of the Australian alpine region devastated by the 2019-20 bushfires. The workshop brought together local intelligence and perspectives from natural resource managers, Indigenous organisations, Landcare and conservation groups, as well as ACT, NSW and Victorian government agencies, to discuss local bushfire recovery needs for the environment. Participants identified a number of priority... actions for the region including feral animal control, weed control, species-specific recovery actions for priority species and Traditional Owner led Caring for Country. The Australian alpine region is one of the seven regions that will receive a share of the Australian Government’s $110 million regional funding available over the next two years. : Alpine Spiny Cray Photo: Victoria Museums CC BY-NC 2.0. Alpine Bog Skinks Photo: Parks Victoria CC BY-NC 2.0

21.01.2022 Turns out the little green frog doesn’t just go Galoomf it also croaks, whistles, bleats and barks. Last November, more than 2000 Australians participated in the national FrogID week resulting in the submission of over 20,000 frog records and identification of 103 of Australia’s 242 frog species. FrogID Week is the Australian Museum’s citizen science project which allows ANYONE in Australia to record frog calls through the FrogID app to help scientists to understand how frog...s are tracking and where they are found across Australia. FrogID Week 2020 provided some good news for our frogs. In 2019 there were notably fewer records of burrowing frog species such as the Eastern Banjo Frog. This species burrows underground and emerges after rain to breed. Data from 2020 identified 813 records of the Eastern Banjo frogs, with the species identified in 8% of frog call submissions compared to 4% in 2019. This is a positive indication of our burrowing frogs faring better during years of increased rainfall. This snapshot of Australia’s frogs illustrates the potential persistence of many species following drought and fire and provides valuable information on how we can better protect them. While FrogID Week may be over you can still download the app and keep sending in your FrogID submissions. https://australian.museum/get-invol/citizen-science/frogid/ What frogs do you have in your backyard? Eastern Banjo Frog, credit: Jessica Keem.

21.01.2022 Shedding light on light pollution. Tonight is the last night to participate in Flight2Light! Flight2Light is a citizen science event that is helping collect information about the impact of artificial light at night on wildlife, while raising awareness of light pollution problems and solutions.... Taking part is easy all Australians can take part from home. To find out more, visit: https://bushblitz.org.au/7904-2/ Artificial light can disrupt critical behaviours in wildlife, such as interfering with a migratory species’ ability to undertake long distance migrations. Learn more in the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife: https://www.environment.gov.au//national-light-pollution-g : Hatchling marine turtles may not be able to find the ocean when beaches are lit (credit: Queensland Government) Light pollution map of Australia (Falchi et al 2016: The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness - https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/6/e1600377")

19.01.2022 A historic reintroduction for the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot Eastern Barred Bandicoots were released into the Tiverton predator free safe haven in western Victoria this week. At almost 1000ha in size, the site is the largest predator free safe haven where the species have been reintroduced. Once widespread across the grasslands and grassy woodlands of south west Victoria, the mainland subspecies of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot went extinct in the wild due to loss... of grassland habitat and predation by foxes. Fencing of the Tiverton site was completed in January 2018 and the site was declared predator free in August this year following sustained predator control and monitoring. The Australian Government supported this project through the National Landcare Program’s Regional Land Partnerships, working together with Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Zoos Victoria, DEWLP, and Odonata. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is also a priority mammal targeted for recovery under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy. The Tiverton site is an example of a predator free safe haven that will become an important insurance population for Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Right now, applications are open for Australian Government grants to support the creation of safe havens for threatened species. Find out more here: www.business.gov.au/erfsh To learn more about the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and the Tiverton release, Glenelg Hopkins CMA have put together a video series which you can check out here: www.ghcma.vic.gov.au/projects/bandicoot/

18.01.2022 A promising breeding season for Carnaby’s around Moora in Western Australia, aided by passionate volunteers. Pictured below are the Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo chicks that successfully fledged in artificial nesting hollows around Moora this breeding season. The decline in Carnaby’s has been primarily due to the loss and fragmentation of habitat. Carnaby’s also require nesting hollows from large trees that are up to 200 years of age. ... Under the Environment Restoration Fund, the Australian Government is funding work to find and protect breeding sites and restore breeding habitat. The project is working with landholders to install nesting boxes in important breeding areas and help in the raising of Black Cockatoo fledglings in time for the main breeding season. https://www.facebook.com/abcperth/posts/4045632112136385

18.01.2022 Watching weeds from space! Researchers are taking to the skies to tackle introduced weed species that pose significant threats to biodiversity across northern Australia. Gamba grass, originally from Africa, is listed as a weed of national significance. It is quick to grow (up to 4 metres high) and forms dense thickets that choke native species and burn as large hot fires in the dry season. Mapping the invasive species is essential in order to manage it effectively, but... northern Australia is so vast and remote that on-the-ground mapping is incredibly difficult. Scientists from CSIRO, Charles Darwin University and The University of Western Australia have used field data to ‘train’ a machine-learning model to detect gamba grass from high-resolution satellite imagery. The wide range of spectral data allowed them to analyse factors unseen to the human eye, such as leaf moisture levels and chlorophyll content, to differentiate between gamba grass and native grass species. Gamba grass tends to stay green longer into the dry season than native grasses, so they timed the capture of the satellite imagery for this period. Mapping gamba grass using satellite imagery unlocks the potential to frequently map large areas forming a better picture of where gamba grass is across northern Australia, and how quickly it is spreading. Managers can then target areas that are the highest priority for control, such as biodiversity-rich areas or culturally important sites. This project is funded by the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program under the Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub. Learn more: https://www.nespnorthern.edu.au//machine-learning-helps-t/ : Top Gamba grass credit: NESP Northern Hub Bottom - Dr Shaun Levick at CSIRO led this study. Photo: NESP Northern Hub.

17.01.2022 Australia is a country rich in diverse and incredible native species and ecosystems. Our continent is thought to be home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species and we are one of 17 megadiverse countries. Today is an opportunity to both appreciate our unique environment but also reflect on the challenges our threatened species face and learn from the changes that have impacted our plants and animals over the last 200 years. Australia has more than 1800 threatened species and e...cological communities listed under national environmental law. Some of our threatened species are so rare that many Australians have never seen or even heard of them. Did you know about these four? The critically endangered Mountain-top Nursery Frog (Cophixalus monticola) is one of the rarest amphibian species in Australia. It’s found only on top of Mt Lewis in northern Queensland above 1,100 m which is why climate change is a key threat. The Chaff Tree (Achyranthes arborescens) is endemic to Norfolk Island. With around 200 left in the wild, this critically endangered plant is threatened by rats (which eat its fruit and viable seeds) and is vulnerable to heavy rainfall. Simsons’s Stag Beetle (Hoplogonus simsoni) is a flightless, black, ground-dwelling beetle, and the largest stag beetle endemic to Tasmania. The main identified threats include habitat loss, wood hooking, and the illegal collection of beetles. The Tingle Pygmy Trapdoor Spider (Bertmainius tingle) is less than 10mm long! It is currently known from two locations in Western Australia and destruction of habitat remains the major threat to the species. These four species are listed under National Environmental Law and there are conservation planning documents (Recovery Plans and Conservation Advices) in place to guide their recovery. They are just a small subset of the many remarkable threatened plants and animals that call Australia home. Our incredible biodiversity is ours to celebrate today, but we also all have a role to play in the protection of our species and the fight against extinction. : Mountain Top Nursery Frog (Cophixalus monticola) Andrew McNab (FrogID) The Chaff Tree (Achyranthes arborescens) Wikimedia Commons Simson’s Stag Beetle (Hoplogonus simsoni) C. Spencer & K. Richards Tingle Pygmy Trapdoor Spider (Bertmainius tingle) FAME

15.01.2022 A huge congratulations to the team of researchers at the Threatened Species Recovery Hub who are finalists in Australia’s leading science awards, the 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prize. For the last five years a team of over 30 Australian scientists, under the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program, have been working on research to better understand and reduce the impact of cats on native animals. This collaborative team of scientists and land manage...rs has undertaken national-scale research on the ecology of cats, tested management options and influenced biodiversity conservation policy. The team includes scientists from universities, government agencies, conservation groups and Indigenous Rangers. It was led by Prof Sarah Legge from The Australian National University and Prof John Woinarski from Charles Darwin University, both leading Australian ecologists each with 30 years of experience in environmental research and conservation. Their work has been critical to understand how cats and wildlife interact in our landscape, including identifying the mammals most at risk from predation by feral cats, and where best to establish safe havens for threatened species. You can read more about this amazing research : https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au//cat-science-fina Congratulations also to all the finalists in the 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prize. : The Threatened Species Recovery Hub

14.01.2022 A stark and sad reminder about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the impact cats have on our native wildlife. This footage was sent to us by Luke from Queensland and shows the toll of a roaming domestic cat on a native snake. The following day, the snake was located deceased and the cat was recorded roaming in the subsequent nights. Sadly, the event captured here is not an anomaly according to leading scientists, each day more than 3.1 million mammals, 1 mill...ion birds and 1.7 million reptiles like this snake are killed by cats across Australia. Pet cats alone are estimated to kill 83 million native reptiles each year. Conservation is everyone’s business and you can do your part by being a responsible cat owner and practicing cat containment 24/7. Responsible cat ownership also means safer cats by keeping our cats happy and safe indoors. For tips and tricks on how to best look after your cat indoors, visit the Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife website: http://www.safecat.org.au/ Thank you to Luke for sending us this footage.

14.01.2022 Rare beetle rediscovered in Canberra! Citizen scientist Luke Downey spotted the Jewel Beetle (Castiarina testacea) in early January during a visit to the Environment Meditation and Healing Garden near Lake Burley Griffin. It was a chance discovery while Luke has been doing citizen science for the last five years, he was out on a bike ride and wasn't actively searching for beetles. There are around 1,200 known species of Jewel Beetle found in Australia. Castiarina testacea... is not only rare it hadn't been seen in the Canberra region since 1955. Luke recorded his exciting find in NatureMapr, a website where citizen scientists can share their findings. Understanding flora and fauna distribution and population numbers is a crucial part of conservation and management. Citizen scientists play an important role in gathering and sharing information about Australian species - from the Australian Museum's Frog ID app to BirdLife Australia's Great Cocky Count, there are plenty of ways to get involved. If you're a keen bushwalker, take some flora and fauna guides along on your next walk and keep an eye out you never know what you might spot. Are you a citizen scientist? Share your stories below!

14.01.2022 Environment NGOs, local landholders, scientists, wildlife experts, Traditional Owners and government representatives have met to help inform the next phase of bushfire recovery in the rainforests of the NSW North Coast and Tablelands region. Over 40 per cent of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Areaa biodiversity hotspot in the region with a diverse range of ancient, unique and threatened specieswas burnt in the 2019-20 bushfires. The stakeholders discus...sed broad-ranging bushfire recovery actions for the region including habitat enhancement with rainforest buffers and strategic weed control, fire management, Traditional Owner-led land management, and targeted pest control of feral cats, foxes, pigs, deer, horses, goats and toads. The Rainforests of the NSW North Coast and Tablelands is one of seven vulnerable regions that will receive a share of the Australian Government’s $110 million regional bushfire recovery funding over the next two years. All seven vulnerable regions have now been held and decisions on the final suite of investments will be made over coming months. For more information on the seven vulnerable regions: http://www.environment.gov.au//b/regional-delivery-program : Gondwana WHA - NSW National Parks Parma Wallaby - Wiki Commons

11.01.2022 Community action to keep pet cat numbers in check within the Kiwirrkurra remote community. Check out this fantastic video from Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation - Kiwirrkurra showing how local Indigenous ranger Jody supports her community in ensuring pet cats are being managed responsibly. Jody has been working with pet owners by having their cats desexed in working towards better domestic cat management at Kiwirrkurra. ... The Kiwirrkurra remote community is located in the Gibson Desert within the Kiwirrkurra IPA and is home to a myriad of threatened species like Ninu (Bilby) and Tjalapa (Great Desert Skink). Jody’s efforts to keep domestic cat populations under control will help ensure that the Community’s much loved pets are not impacting the rich biodiversity of the desert country. https://www.facebook.com/kiwirrkurra/videos/753027231959705/

10.01.2022 When heavy rains followed last summer’s bushfire in south-west Victoria, aquatic species in the Crawford River became vulnerable when fire-affected soil and ashy sediment washed into the water, threatening to suffocate the animals. A Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program project by Glenelg Hopkins CMA partnering with Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research and the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation will protect the only remaining po...pulation of the critically endangered Glenelg Freshwater Mussel. The Crawford River is home to numerous other threatened species as well, including the Glenelg Spiny Crayfish, River Blackfish, and both Yarra and Variegated Pygmy Perch which will benefit from the project which aims to fence off stock, manage ash and sediment, and repair riverbank vegetation. The Australian Government-funded project follows the recent return to the river of an insurance colony of the Glenelg Freshwater Mussel that was rescued last summer by the Arthur Rylah Institute. Their return is just in time for the breeding season. : Tarmo A. Raadik

10.01.2022 We started in March 2012, so eight and half years now we’ve been going. At the beginning I would never have believed that we’d be heading towards 200 animals released back into the wild. It’s a pretty massive accomplishment and we’ve got most probably 100 volunteers in the region that are involved in that, that are dedicated, so you know, it’s a big organisation. It’s not just us at the other end on the rehab side, there’s a lot in between to make it happen. Bob McCosker. Congratulations to all the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre near Gladstone in Queensland, on the recent release of their 150th Green Sea Turtle back into the wild! Conservation is everyone’s business, check out the video below for some fantastic first hand accounts of how rewarding getting involved can be. https://youtu.be/PeN61LlQRCI

10.01.2022 Researchers are helping ‘crack the code’ in the recovery of Helmeted Honeyeater with the generation of the first chromosome-length genome! With such a small remaining population, inbreeding and a lack of genetic diversity are key concerns in the recovery of critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater. To support ongoing conservation efforts, the multidisciplinary Recovery Team, including Zoos Victoria and Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, have worked with Monash University t...o generate a chromosome-length assembly genome for a female Helmeted Honeyeater. Congratulations to all those involved in this milestone achievement! This breakthrough will help ongoing efforts to apply genetic rescue strategies to increase the species’ genetic diversity. Check out the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater’s post below to learn more (including some super interesting genome facts) https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2694947154054465&id=1408866722662521

10.01.2022 Weedy Seadragon populations on Australia's east coast are genetically distinct, according to a recent study led by UTS: University of Technology Sydney. The study found there are four genetically distinct clusters central NSW, southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania and that the Victorian population may form a subspecies. Genomic studies can inform crucial management actions, with the researchers recommending each distinct population be managed separately. ... While the Weedy Seadragon isn't endangered, recent surveys found populations are declining, which may lead to a loss of genetic diversity. Species with low genetic diversity and a limited distribution may be more likely to become threatened if impacted by threats such as changing environmental conditions and loss of habitat. These threats may lead to a further decline in genetic diversity among Weedy Seadragons. Did you know: Unlike male Seahorses, male Weedy Seadragons don't have pouches to carry and hatch eggs. Instead, the female lays the eggs onto a brood patch on the male's tail, where he fertilises them and carries them until they hatch. Weedy Seadragons are also known as the Common Seadragon and are endemic to temperate Australia. You can read the study here: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243446 : Left and bottom right - Weedy Seadragons - by Richard Ling and Graham Short. Top right - Male Seadragon with eggs - by Marine Explorer.

09.01.2022 Yesterday, I joined Minister Sussan Ley MP who announced an $18 million package to protect Australia’s koalas. The package includes funding for a national program to monitor koala populations and support koala health, as well as funding for habitat restoration in NSW and Queensland. On-ground actions will include revegetation, weed control, fencing, managed grazing and tailored fire planning and implementation in bushfire-affected regions. This funding comes at a critical t...ime for our koalas, following the devastating bushfires which killed and injured thousands. This funding will give us a much better picture on koala population numbers and trends. Through understanding where they are persisting, how they are using the remaining habitat and how they are responding to the fire impacted landscape, we can tailor on-ground efforts to ensure that action is focused where it is needed most. Find out more here: bit.ly/2Hpe99F : Announcement at Taronga Zoo Sydney Koala and young in tree

09.01.2022 Last summer’s bushfires in eastern and southern Australia devastated the populations of many species including some that may surprise you. With assistance from a Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program grant, a project is underway to conserve 22 Euastacus freshwater crayfish species affected by the fires. Aquasave-Nature Glenelg Trust experts are assessing the impacts of the bushfires on these invertebrates, starting with the mud gully crayfish a small, critically en...dangered species known from only a handful of locations in the Border Ranges in northern New South Wales. By identifying critical populations, exploring the feasibility of conservation translocations, and determining how to best conserve each species, this project will help save the spiny crayfish. Early assessments indicate that mud gully crayfish habitats appear to have escaped bushfire impact - this is great news. Let’s hope the other 21 species have some good luck too. To learn more about the Wildlife Habitat and Bushfire Recovery Program visit http://www.environment.gov.au//bushfire/open-grant-program : Mud gully crayfish - Rob McCormack

09.01.2022 It was fantastic to speak at the North Queensland Threatened Species Symposium in Cairns this week. North Queensland is rich in diverse and incredible plants and animals from the Cassowary and Mahogany Glider, to Australia’s only purple Wattle (Acacia purpureopetala). At the symposium, participants shared experiences with recovery planning, successes and challenges in on-ground management, as well as research on species and threats in NQ. It brought together leading scien...tists, Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers working on country, government and NRM representatives, Recovery Team members, and passionate members of the community. The impacts of COVID-19 have resulted in limited opportunities to meet in person. It was wonderful to be meeting people face-to-face, sharing updates, and exchanging information and ideas. A big thanks to all those who made this event happen! This event was organised by Terrain NRM as part of the NQ NRM Alliance, in partnership with Cape York Natural Resource Management and Northern Gulf Resource Management Group, as well the Threatened Species Recovery Hub. It was funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and National Environmental Science Program. You can watch videos from the Symposium via Terrain NRM’s Facebook page. Alternatively, check out the hashtag #threatenedspeciesnq to view updates from the conference! : Top - Presenting at the North Queensland Threatened Species Symposium Bottom left Cassowary Bottom right Purple Wattle (Acacia purpureopetala)

08.01.2022 Good news for the Numbat! Numbers have increased in a Western Australian conservation area and scientists believe it's due to ongoing feral cat control. Researchers counted 35 numbats during an annual survey in Dryandra Woodland, which is 10 more individuals than counted last year. It's a significant increase there are thought to be fewer than 1300 numbats left in the wild.... This year's survey was supported by the Numbat Neighbourhood project, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Land Partnerships program. Project partners are working with landholders to control feral cats and foxes. Feral animal control is critical to the ongoing survival of the threatened marsupial. Numbat Neighbourhood is a great example of partnerships in action Peel-Harvey Catchment Council l is working with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, local councils, Project Numbat, and Dryandra Woodland Farmers. The iconic, endangered numbat is Western Australia's mammal emblem. It's one of 20 mammals targeted for recovery under the Australian Government's Threatened Species Strategy. Feral cat control in Dryandra also benefits the Woylie and Chuditch both species included in the Government's Threatened Species Strategy. Did you know: The name 'Numbat' is based on the Noongar word, 'Noombat wioo'. National Landcare Program

08.01.2022 3D-printed tree hollows provide haven for animals left homeless by bushfires. With the recent bushfires, natural hollows are in demand across the affected landscapes by a wide variety of birds and small animals. With a finite number of appropriate tree hollows around, it can be a competitive market for many endangered species when natural hollows take several hundred years to develop. Looking to provide better alternative homes to displaced wildlife, scientists at Australia’...s Charles Sturt University have created 3D-printed plastic nesting boxes that are similar in size, shape and appearance to the natural tree hollows. The design’s ability to mimic the microclimate of a real tree hollow separates it from a traditional nest or bird box. While conventional plywood nest boxes can shelter wildlife short term, they failed to hold up against weather conditions on either end of the thermostat. The plastic hollows can be reversed engineered to meet the curve of an existing tree, the fencing of a new housing development, or the angles of a traffic light. By focusing on humidity, temperature and function rather than the form, scientists say these little plastic boxes are indistinguishable from naturally formed hollows to prospective occupants. Professor David Watson and Mick Callan hope the 3D print hollow design will not only help restore wildlife populations in burnt out habitat but also combat the lack of suitable homes for our native wildlife in our urban environments including schools, parks and private backyards. Learn more: https://www.abc.net.au//3d-printed-plastic-hollo/12812606

08.01.2022 Australia’s tiniest freshwater fish is back from the brink of extinction with the release of 27 captive bred fish into an artesian spring on Edgbaston Reserve. Located in Queensland’s dry interior 140km north east of Longreach, Edgbaston Reserve is the last known home of the critically endangered Red-finned Blue-eye. Measuring no more than a matchstick when fully grown, the species has been decimated by Gambusia, an invasive species which outcompetes the Red-finned Blue-eye... and preys on their eggs. In a conservation first, Bush Heritage Australia has established artificial springs that replicate the fish’s natural habitat using bore water from the Great Artesian Basin. This is the first time a captive bred population of Red-finned Blue-eye has been established and then released into wild springs. Thanks to ongoing efforts to establish translocated populations and to eradicate springs of feral Gambusia fish which out compete Red-finned Blue-eyes, the wild population is now sitting at 2000-3000 fish. The Red-finned Blue-eye is not the only species endemic to Edgbaston's artesian springs. More than two dozen species of flora and fauna, including 11 types of snails and at least a dozen plants, are found nowhere else in the world. While scientists have not studied the Red-finned Blue-eye long enough to be certain what flow-on effects its extinction could have had, its role as top predator in such a rare ecosystem means they are not willing to find out. You can read more about the amazing work being undertaken for this remarkable fish at https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/red-fin-blue-eye, and watch the video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=186014636651087 : (From top left) Red-finned Blue-eye - Adam Kerezsy; Springs at Edgbaston Adam Kerezsy; A tiny Red-finned Blue-eye Annette Ruzicka

07.01.2022 Fascinating new research about White Shark movements! Follow the line to see where this ~ 3m male White Shark travelled to after being tagged in Ballina, NSW in 2016 by NSW Department of Primary Industries fisheries scientists. This shark covered many miles up and down the Australian east coast, as well as a couple of trips to New Zealand during the three years the tag was attached. Data from this and other satellite tags provide important information on how this magnificen...t threatened species uses its environment. If you’re interested in finding out more about oceanic conditions associated with White Shark habitat use along eastern Australia, check out this new paper based on the satellite tag results: https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m659p143.pdf White Sharks can pose a risk to humans in the ocean, but these risks can be reduced by understanding where and when sharks are likely to be around and then making sensible choices as humans about how we spend our time in the water. Both WA and NSW have SharkSmart apps that are great to consult before going in the water, to help you make informed choices about shark risk at your location. https://www.facebook.com/519044368/videos/10159897759724369/

07.01.2022 Thank you, amphibian enthusiasts! Armed with their mobile phones and an app called FrogID, thousands of citizen scientists have been helping determine where frogs persisted across the extensive fire ground after last summer’s devastating bushfires. This area was too large for frog scientists to survey, especially with COVID-19 travel restrictions, so the data collected by all the frog heroes out there has been invaluable. Within four months of the fires, FrogID users submi...tted 632 recordings of frog calls for identification by frog scientists, confirming the presence of 45 of the 66 frogs species known to live in the fire zones. Since then, all the summer-breeding species have also been recorded, meaning there are no obviously missing species. These confirmed species include a number of rare and threated frogs, like this gorgeous endangered Giant Barred Frog, which has been recorded twice after the fires. While the long term prospects for some frog populations remains uncertain, this is still encouraging news for now. If you’d like to find out more, please click here: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au//endangered-austr/ : Matt Nimbs

06.01.2022 Conservation dogs are becoming a critical tool in the conservation toolkit. After the 2019-20 bushfires, diligent detector dogs helped find and rescue wildlife in fire-ravaged areas across Australia. The use of conservation dogs is a recent phenomenon in environmental management and conservation in Australia. It originated with the use of Maremma sheepdogs to protect little penguins from fox predation on Middle Island, off the coast of Warrnambool. This project was a world f...irst and has proved how useful conservation dogs can be in protecting our biodiversity (even inspiring a classic Australian film Oddball). The project’s success caught the eye of conservationists at Zoos Victoria. With funding support from the Australian Government, they started a new project using guardian dogs to help protect the threatened Eastern Barred Bandicoot. The Australian Geographic has written a fantastic article outlining the history of conservation dogs in Australia and how they’re assisting conservation efforts. It’s well worth a read: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au//conservation-can/

06.01.2022 I’m thrilled to report French Island is one step closer to becoming a safe haven for threatened species. Additional funding under the Australian Government’s Environmental Restoration Fund Safe Haven Commitment will help eradicate feral cats from the island. French Island is just 60km south-east of Melbourne and an ecologically diverse place that is home to over 580 endemic plant species and more than 230 bird species, such as the White-bellied Sea-eagle and King Quail. Th...e island also supports a large population of Long-nosed Potoroo, as well as an introduced population of threatened Eastern Barred Bandicoot. It’s one of five islands targeted under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy for the eradication of feral cats. Once fully predator free, islands like French Island can act as safe havens for species most at risk with enhanced biosecurity due to disconnection with the mainland. They can be vital in establishing insurance populations, maintaining habitat for migratory birds and repopulating areas after they have been impacted by bushfires and other emergencies. The eradication of feral cats from French Island has involved ongoing dedicated efforts, with Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria, French Island Landcare, Zoos Victoria and Phillip Island Nature Parks working collaboratively with landowners to undertake a feral cat control program. You can read more about this announcement here: https://minister.awe.gov.au//french-island-safe-haven-nati : Top French Island (credit: Parks Victoria) Bottom Long-nosed Potoroo (credit: Kristian Golding)

04.01.2022 Ever wondered if the sea turtle you see at your favourite snorkel spot is a permanent resident or just a teenager just passing through? What about whether there might a cool job opportunities in conservation biology (flying drones for shark research) for people with awesome gaming skills? If you love marine science, you’ll find this podcast fascinating. The Deep Blue On My Doorstep has 11 episodes featuring 11 different marine experts talking about their research and how thei...r love of marine places has inspired their life’s work. The first episode is all about the importance of offshore islands to seabirds, including many threatened species, and what a positive difference can be made when invasive species are eradicated. The Deep Blue On My Doorstep is hosted by Associate Professor Tracy Ainsworth from UNSW Sydney and is easy to find on Spotify or iTunes, or by clicking here: https://www.events.unsw.edu.au/artic/deep-blue-my-door-step

04.01.2022 Final reminder: applications for the $10 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program close on Friday Community organisations, conservation groups, Traditional Owners and local governments are eligible to apply for grants from $5,000 to $150,000 to fund bushfire recovery projects for their local environment. Recovery projects could include providing wildlife with supplementary shelter, nest boxes and artificial hollows, controlling pest anima...ls and weeds, revegetating burnt areas with native plants, and protecting important habitat. The program is part of the Australian Government’s $200 million investment in bushfire recovery for native wildlife and their habitats. APPLY NOW. Application criteria and guidelines are available at business.gov.au/brwhc. Applications close on 27 November 2020. National Bushfire Recovery Agency : Credit: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

03.01.2022 Seeking keen eyes for Echidna CSI. Echidnas are incredibly shy and difficult to see in the wild. Their aloofness means that despite the fact they’re found across the country, there are only two wild populations of echidnas that have been well studied in Australia. Researchers from The University of Adelaide want to change this. Through their citizen science project Echidna CSI, they’re hoping to learn where echidnas are, what they’re doing and if they’re healthy. They need y...our help to do this. They are calling all budding scientists to record their echidna sightings and gather some basic information about the animals and their environment. The project, which has been running for just over three years, has seen participants record over 9,000 echidna sightings and collect over 500 echidna scats from across Australia. This data could not have been collected without the help of the community. They also need you to collect some DNA material - unlike popular crime shows, the forensic evidence doesn’t come from a single hair or drop of blood: instead it comes from echidna scat. The scat contains valuable DNA information. Analysing that DNA can shed insight into the genetic composition of the echidna populations, their diet and their overall health. To get involved, head to Echidna CSI webpage, or download the app on your tablet or phone. Then, it’s as simple as spotting one of the critters and taking a picture. If you’re game enough to collect some valuable scat, pop it in a ziplock bag, and mail it to the team at the address provided. For more information, visit: https://grutznerlab.weebly.com/echidna-csi.html https://grutznerlab.weebly.com/faq.html

03.01.2022 Did you know light pollution can have an impact on our nocturnal wildlife? Flight2Light is a new citizen science event that will help collect information about the impact of artificial light at night on wildlife, while raising awareness of light pollution problems and solutions. The initiative is a partnership between Bush Blitz and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance. All Australians can take part from home between 6 and 19 February 2021. ... To find out more about the citizen science event, visit: https://bushblitz.org.au/7904-2/ Artificial light can disrupt critical behaviours in wildlife, such as interfering with a migratory species’ ability to undertake long distance migrations. Learn more in the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife: https://www.environment.gov.au//national-light-pollution-g : Satellite data reveals light pollution hotspots Australian Geographic Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa) Donald Hobern Ghost Bat Pup Vanessa Stebings] / Taronga Zoo

02.01.2022 The Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel met via video-conference over August and September to finalise a number of reports and provide scientific advice on future investment priorities and grant proposals for bushfire affected plants and animals. Earlier this year, the Expert Panel identified 119 animal species as high priority for urgent management intervention following the 201920 bushfires. Now, they have identified which priority management in...terventions are most relevant to inform the management response for each of these species in the first year, post bushfire. The Expert Panel also provided advice to the Department regarding the 18 projects that received a total of $5 million under the second round the Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program, which was primarily focussed on supporting priority plants and invertebrates. Panel members are also participating in the design of the next phase of the Australian Government’s investment in bushfire recovery for wildlife and their habitat, which includes $110 million being directed to on-ground support for native plants and animals within bushfire-affected regions. A portion of this funding will go to recovery actions for species that occur across regions and jurisdictional boundaries. The Expert Panel is helping to identify and prioritise these species and their management interventions to ensure recovery actions are complementary and efficient. The Expert Panel’s latest Communique is now available. http://www.environment.gov.au//bushfire-recov/expert-panel : Kangaroo Island Trigger Plant Male Austroaeschna flavomaculata Eastern Bristlebird David Cook Yellow-bellied Glider Aaron Payne

02.01.2022 The Sturt National Park, NSW has welcomed the bilby back more than 100 years after being declared extinct in New South Wales! Ten bilbies raised by Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo were released into a 2,000-hectare area fenced off from predators such as cats, foxes and rabbits. The local Wongkumara people, the region's Traditional Owners, also took part in the release. The release is part of the Wild Deserts Program which aims to bring back seven locally extinct mammals to S...turt National Park in outback New South Wales. The Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is listed as vulnerable at a national level and is one of 20 priority mammal species under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy. With less than 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild this project is a fantastic step towards increasing Greater Bilby populations and expanding the species distribution. The project is an NSW Government collaboration with UNSW ecologists, Ecological Horizons, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Targona Zoo Conservation Society Australia. UNSW have produced a great video which captures the landmark release and explains the significance of the iconic marsupial to the local community and the environment. : UNSW

01.01.2022 There is renewed optimism for the critically endangered Red Handfish following the release of 42 juveniles into the wild. The combined efforts of CSIRO, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS and Seahorse World have effectively doubled the size of one of only two remaining populations. The Red Handfish is a slow-moving seafloor dwelling fish endemic to south-east Tasmania that grows to around 13 cm long, which appears to use its fins to walk along the seafloor. Cl...imate change, habitat loss and degradation, water pollution, invasive pests and the cumulative effects of boating have led to only approximately 100 known adult Red Handfish remaining in the wild. One of the key contributors to habitat loss is overgrazing of seaweed (which Red Handfish live under) by urchins. CSIRO, IMAS and Seahorse World collected eggs from the wild then hatched and raised the handfish in captivity, improving their chances of surviving to maturity by protecting them while they are young and extremely vulnerable. The highly experienced aquaculture team even provided a ‘handfish school’ to prepare them for life in the wild. Aquariums were set up to mimic wild conditions with seaweed and other species they are likely to encounter, including different prey types. Prior to release IMAS worked with the Tasmanian Commercial Divers Association to improve the habitat for release by harvesting urchins at handfish sites, which allowed the seaweed to start to grow back. Ensuring safe release was only part of the story. An IMAS-based monitoring team has been conducting follow-up dive surveys to search for the young since the release and have been elated to report re-sightings of many of the released juveniles. You can read more about the amazing work being undertaken to protect this unique species at https://handfish.org.au/ : Red handfish juvenile resighted days after release - credit: Rick Stuart-Smith Jemina Stuart-Smith (IMAS) & Tim Fountain (CSIRO) at handfish conditioning - credit: Vanessa Mann Sea urchins