Here’s the latest update from our Grampians Ark Coordinator on the comprehensive recovery efforts following the Yarram Gap and Wallaby Rocks fires in Grampians National Park.
Background;
The fires have burned an area of 135,677 Ha, which represents over two-thirds of the park. All six high conservation areas have been affected, including critical habitats for our priority species, which are protected under State and Federal legislation, such as the critically endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby (BTRW), Long-nosed Potoroo, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Heath Mouse, and Smoky Mouse. Amid the devastation, we have found a newly discovered BTRW population at Asses Ears. This marks the first confirmed population of this critically endangered species outside its reintroduced colony in Moora.
Photo Credit Joe Terry
Key response efforts in progress and achievements.
Critically Endangered Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby
- Ground feeding operations commenced on 17 February, involving the sling loading of bulk supplies for 17 monitored ground feeding stations over 5 km of the escarpment. They have been serviced weekly, with a total of 11 ground feeding operations conducted to date, covering over 110 km.
- We have confirmed the presence of BTRW at all 17 ground-feeding stations, including the eastern escarpment, where we obtained our first camera trap images of BTRW since their introduction. Camera images have confirmed that BTRW are actively feeding and drinking from the feeding stations, including images of young joeys at foot.
- An enhanced monitoring program is underway, replacing burned cameras throughout the colony and quadrupling the established monitoring area. Additionally, scat collection for the colony survey has been ongoing, with over 100 samples collected so far. Genetic analysis will be conducted before June 30 of this year.
- Over 300,000 camera trap images have been collected since the fire recovery began in late December, with 55 cameras deployed at both Moora and Asses Ears.
- Additionally, an enhanced predator control program is in place, involving ground and aerial shooting operations, canid pest ejectors, soft-jaw leg-hold traps, and baiting.
- We have established a new monitoring and predator control program for the new Asses Ears BTRW population, including 20 new cameras that have been deployed since the last update, with at least three confirmed BTRW at Asses Ears so far.
Photo Credit Joe Terry Asses Ears BTRW
- Habitat and vegetation assessments are being carried out on an ongoing basis at both Moora and Asses Ears colonies to allow for adaptive management of the ground feeding program.
Photo Credit Joe Terry Feeding station
High Conservation Areas, Endangered and Threatened Small Mammals
- Deployed an additional 190 habitat pods since the last update across two more high-value conservation sites affected by the Wallaby Rocks fire scar, bringing the total number of habitat pods deployed to 350. We have now purchased another 800 habitat pods for ongoing deployment.
- An extra 60 cameras have been installed to monitor the habitat pods and support the overall recovery efforts for small mammals following the fire, increasing the total number of cameras deployed for this project to over 120.
- Our first camera image of a Long-nosed Potoroo after the fire was taken on April 11th, marking a significant reason for celebration. Given their critical condition in the aftermath of the fire, it has taken months of dedicated effort to achieve this first positive sighting. Additionally, we captured camera trap images of our endangered smoky mice in the Victoria Range following the fire, thanks to the efforts of our partners at Museums Victoria and WCMA. I have attached the photos for you.
- Coordinated the PV volunteer program with Geelong Lutheran College to assemble habitat pods, in addition to the last update, where Friends of the Grampians and Halls Gap Landcare supported the assembly of habitat pods.
- An enhanced predator control program is being implemented around the habitat pod locations and other critical conservation areas. It incorporates ground and aerial shooting operations, canid pest ejectors, soft jaw leg-hold traps, and baiting.
- We have completed re-establishing over 300 of the 400 bait stations that have been affected by fire so far.
- We have recently completed re-establishing the fire-affected camera array and CPE network at Major Mitchell Plateau.
Photo Credit Joe Terry
Partnerships and stakeholders
- Completed re-establishing the 36 long-term monitoring sites for the Great Gariwerd Bird Survey and Deakin University’s long-term small mammal monitoring program, which was initiated after the Mount Lubra fire to assess the long-term responses of small mammal populations to landscape-scale wildfires and is in its 18th year of operation. Of the 36 sites, 32 have been impacted by fire, necessitating tree hazard assessment and treatment.
- Completed re-establishing the 252 research and trapping transects across the 32 fire-affected monitoring sites in time for the start of this year’s long-term small mammal monitoring program, which begins next week on the 7th of May.
- Coordinating the Great Gariwerd Bird Survey with over 30 volunteers from the 10th of May through to the 25th of May.
- Assisting Museum Victoria with the replacement of the Smoky Mouse camera array in the Victoria Range by installing new cameras at Mount William.
- Supporting an enhanced community 1080 baiting program in the Victoria Valley with additional funds that involve 38 adjoining landholders.
- 13 BTRW fire recovery working group meetings.
- Presentation on fire recovery efforts so far to the bi-monthly statewide invasive species collaboration meeting.
- Scheduled presentation to the Partnerships against Pest Community Info Session and Field Demonstration at Laharum on May 10th.
A sincere thank you to Kat, Dale, Helen, Matt, Marcello, Ben, Sarah, Mike, the Grampians Gariwerd National Park team, and many others.
We extend our gratitude to our essential partners, who enable our work: the DEECA WPPL program, Deakin University, Museums Victoria, Panayyabyr and Mirranatwa Landcare Groups, Zoos Victoria, BTRW Fire Recovery Working Group. Nature Glenelg Trust, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Project Platypus, and FFMV.
Finally, we sincerely appreciate our volunteers and local community organisations, such as the Friends of the Grampians – Gariwerd, Halls Gap Landcare, and the local volunteers who help make the Great Gariwerd Bird Survey possible.
Cheers
Joseph Terry, Grampians Ark Coordinator, Gariwerd
Update provided by William (Bill) Playne, Ranger – Visitor and Community, Grampians (Gariwerd)|Western Region
‘Parks Victoria respectfully acknowledges Traditional Owners, their cultures, knowledge and their continuing connnection to and cultural obligations to care for their Country’