11/11/2023 0 Comments Kakadu island![]() A burning program of cool patch burning has been implemented to begin breaking up fuel loads and diversify habitats.While toads die off once the island’s freshwater seasonally dries up, cane toad control measures have now been implemented, using solar-powered cane toad traps. Cane toad monitoring in 2016 discovered many toadlets and a few adults in and around freshwater creeks and swamps.A vegetation assessment of the island was completed by the NT Government Department of Land and Resource Management, to assess habitat suitability for future translocations. A small mammal survey was carried out in August 2015, revealing a high abundance of grassland melomys ( Melomys burtoni), but no small-medium mammal diversity beyond this species.This project involves practical action to improve the long-term viability of Kakadu’s threatened wildlife through the management of an island refuge. Project 2 - Creating a Wildlife Refuge on Gardangarl (Field Island) The project will also target (and where possible, locally eradicate) gamba grass, mission grass, cats, buffalo and pigs in areas that are important for species such as the northern quoll and brush tailed rabbit rat.The fire work will create longer gaps between bushfires and reduce the number of high intensity fires - both vital to the survival of species such as the vulnerable partridge pigeon and threatened ecological communities such as the Arnhem Plateau sandstone shrubland complex.Intensive work to target threats from fire, weeds and feral animals in crucial habitat, extending from the Stone Country to the lowland woodlands. Further exploration of cat control methods will take place in 2016.Consultation with community members is ongoing and fire management plans will be developed for each of the project sites. ![]() Cat control is expected to start in the dry season. This includes the possible trial of a cat grooming trap. Methods to control feral cats are being explored. The Northern Territory Government Department of Land and Resource Management will oversee biological monitoring with funding provided through the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) Northern Australia Environmental Resources and Threatened Species Recovery Hubs.Extensive consultation with traditional owners about fire management has been undertaken.A fourth site in the southern region of the park about 200km 2 is being discussed with traditional owners. The areas to be used include a 300km 2 site near Nourlangie Rock, a 1,500km 2 site in northern Kakadu between the East and South Alligator Rivers, and a 300km 2 site in the northwest section of the park. Traditional owners have approved the use of three sections of the park for the project.If successful, the traps will be added to the pits and the results will be closely monitored.Ĭlick on a heading below or Show all | Hide all Year One (3-year project) Trials are underway without the leg hold traps to ensure the elevated pits pose minimal risk to native wildlife. Soft jaw leg hold traps set in elevated pits with scent lures have been selected as the most appropriate method of control for the Kakadu environment. Feral animal specialist, James Speed, from Biosecurity Queensland visited the park to advise on feral cat management strategies.An aerial baseline survey of feral pigs, buffalo, cattle, horses and donkeys was undertaken to gather data on feral numbers, followed by aerial culling in December 2016, with a total of 255 animals removed from the project sites. ![]() Fauna monitoring using remote cameras is being undertaken by our partners, the Northern Territory Government Department of Land and Resource Management, with funding provided by the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) Northern Australia Environmental Resources and Threatened Species Recovery Hubs.Wet season burning then commenced in December 2016, to reduce speargrass dominance and create a patch mosaic. Burning was undertaken by helicopter as well as ground burning with Traditional Owners. Controlled burning was completed for the 2016 dry season, focusing on strategic fire breaks in and around the sites, to prevent unplanned wildfires from entering or spreading and to retain fuel. Fire management plans for each of the three project sites have been implemented.Project update Year 2 update (3-year project) Overview of progress Threatened species and ecological communities publications.Listed species and ecological community permits.Drafts and reviews open for public comment.Proposed changes to conservation planning decisions.Key threatening processes not prioritised for assessment.Ecological Communities not prioritised for assessment.About threatened ecological communities.Threatened Species Scientific Committee.The Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032. ![]()
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