Endangered woylie responds to recovery efforts

• Trapping reveals success of woylie relocation near Manjimup

• Area frequently baited under Western Shield wildlife recovery program 

Monitoring of one of the largest-ever relocations of critically endangered woylies has shown early signs that the species is responding well to recovery efforts in the wild.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said 182 woylies were released in June 2014 from the 420 hectare predator-free Perup Sanctuary near Manjimup into and around nearby Greater Kingston National Park, which already holds a wild population of woylies.

In December 2014, the Department of Parks and Wildlife and Murdoch University staff and volunteers returned to the release sites.  They caught 233 woylies, including 124 resident animals, 39 relocated animals and 70 new animals, many of which are presumed offspring from the relocated animals.

"It is rewarding to know the Liberal National Government's efforts to help the woylie survive and thrive are working," Mr Jacob said.

The team also caught and released 22 brushtail possums, seven chuditch, a quenda, six bobtail lizards, two king skinks and a dugite - and numbats were sighted on two occasions.

"This abundant and varied wildlife shows native species are doing well in the area, largely due to sustained fox baiting under the department's Western Shield wildlife recovery program," Mr Jacob said.

"These results clearly show early success of the relocation program, with woylie numbers doubling in the area."

Mr Jacob said that as a test, half the relocated animals were treated for parasites when initially released, while the other half were examined but not treated.

Murdoch University researchers are now analysing hundreds of samples for parasites to see how parasites might affect the success of relocations.

This work is part of a collaborative project funded by the Australian Research Council. Murdoch University provided field assistance, research and veterinary expertise.  The Department of Parks and Wildlife co-ordinated the relocation and provided expertise and resources.

       Fact File

• Woylies were once widespread across southern Australia, but were reduced to three small areas in south-west WA by the 1970s

• The Perup Sanctuary holds more than 400 woylies

• So far, 269 have been released from the sanctuary into the wild 

Minister's office - 6552 5800