The strategy for recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby will concentrate on the identification and management of threats to the species. Of particular importance from a strategic planning perspective is the recognition of three separate ESUs: Northern, Central and Southern. The desirability of maintaining the genetic integrity of each ESU is a central factor of this plan, with the conservation of the species being addressed by treating the three ESUs as separate management units. Identification of ESU boundaries for conservation management is an important objective in this recovery program. Captive populations for the Southern and Central ESUs will be maintained (and the need for a captive breeding program for the Northern ESU assessed), to provide animals to supplement and build existing colonies, and for reintroductions to establish new colonies. For the Southern ESU, successful captive management is essential to guard against extinction (Waldegrave-Knight 2002; Waldegrave-Knight & Stephens 2003). For the Central ESU captive breeding and translocation are highlighted as likely strategies for re-establishment of populations at sites where the species has declined or become extinct (DECC 2008). Further research into key aspects of biology and ecology will assist conservation management, and additional community and stakeholder support for conservation efforts will be sought.
The Specific Objectives for recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby are to:
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Determine and manage threats to the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and its habitat.
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Determine distribution, abundance, population trends and viability for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
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Establish and maintain separate, viable captive populations derived from the Southern and Central ESUs.
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Undertake translocations to improve the genetic and demographic robustness of populations and to establish new colonies of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.
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Investigate key aspects of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby biology and ecology for conservation management.
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Increase community awareness and support for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby conservation.
This Recovery Plan guides recovery actions for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. Potential contributors to implement actions are included in this document: they include relevant state nature conservation agencies, educational institutions, regional natural resource management authorities and community groups (subject to availability of appropriate resources). In New South Wales and Victoria, implementation of state plans is facilitated and coordinated by state recovery teams. The desirability of formalising a national Recovery Team will be explored. Technical, scientific, habitat management or education components of the Recovery Plan will be referred to specialist groups as required. Contact will be maintained between the state/territory agencies on recovery issues concerning the species. The Recovery Plan will be reviewed by responsible agencies within five years of the date of its adoption under the EPBC Act, and revised if required.
Recovery Actions
A summary of recovery objectives, performance criteria and actions is provided in Table 2. Details of each recovery action are described in Appendix 1.
Implementation Cost
The estimated cost of implementing the national recovery plan is $14.9 million over five years.
Year 1
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Year 2
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Year 3
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Year 4
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Year 5
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Total Cost
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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0
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Table 2: Summary of Recovery Objectives, Performance Criteria and Actions
OBJECTIVES
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PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
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ACTIONS
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1. Determine and manage threats to the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and its habitat.
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There is no further loss of isolated colonies of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and there is an increase in the numbers of animals in target populations where threat abatement occurs.
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Identify priority populations in the Central and Northern ESUs for management attention.
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Develop and implement threat abatement programs for priority sites identified in Action 1.1.
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Assess the relative efficiency and effectiveness of feral predator control strategies relevant to Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby conservation.
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Maintain or initiate predator control programs at key population sites.
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Monitor numbers of feral predators at both controlled and uncontrolled sites to determine the effectiveness of control programs and impact of feral predators
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Maintain or initiate competitor control programs at key populations where required.
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Encourage and support predator and competitor control activities on private land with or adjoining key populations.
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2. Determine distribution, abundance, population trends and viability for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
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Comprehensive surveys for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby across its range are developed and undertaken, representative sites across the range of the species are monitored annually, population viability analysis of selected populations have been conducted and the results used for conservation management of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
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Develop standardised survey techniques for determining presence/absence.
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Conduct a comprehensive survey of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby distribution within the Central and Northern ESUs.
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Develop a predictive model of colony distribution for each ESU.
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Develop standardised population monitoring techniques.
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Conduct annual monitoring of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies at key population sites.
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Produce a Population/Habitat Viability model for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and undertake population viability analyses of key/vulnerable populations.
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Undertake molecular analysis of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies to identify the boundaries of ESUs.
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Identify important populations of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby across its total range.
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3. Establish and maintain separate, viable captive populations derived from the Southern and Central ESUs.
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Captive populations for the S-ESU and C-ESU are successfully breeding, maintaining gene diversity above 90% of that currently in the wild population, and each producing offspring for reintroduction/supplementation.
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Prepare a management plan for the S-ESU and C-ESU captive populations.
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Revise the captive husbandry manual for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
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Maintain separate captive populations for S-ESU and C-ESU to the level of ZAA Category 1 species.
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Implement the use of cross-fostering of pouch young to increase breeding productivity of the S-ESU captive population.
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Assess the need for a captive breeding population for the Northern ESU.
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4. Undertake translocations to improve the genetic and demographic robustness of populations and establish new colonies of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.
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At least one reintroduction and one population re-enforcement are initiated.
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Prepare a population management plan for the remaining Southern ESU colonies.
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Prepare a genetic enhancement strategy for key populations in the Northern and Central ESUs.
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Prepare and implement a translocation strategy for the S-ESU and C-ESU.
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5. Investigate key aspects of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby biology and ecology for conservation management.
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Key elements of the life history of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby are determined and incorporated into conservation management of the species.
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Determine the effects of predation on populations.
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Investigate the response of the species to different fire regimes and establish appropriate fire regimes for conservation management of the species and its habitat.
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Determine habitat that is critical to survival of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby across its range.
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Conduct dietary studies to determine seasonal preferences and potential for competition.
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Investigate dispersal patterns of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
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6. Increase community awareness and support for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby conservation.
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There is increased community involvement in reporting of sightings, population monitoring and predator/competitor control.
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Expand Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby support groups.
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Facilitate community involvement in the recovery program.
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Provide species and habitat management advice to landholders.
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Publicise results of recovery to the community.
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