National Recovery Plan for the Corangamite Water Skink Eulamprus tympanum marnieae Garry Peterson and Peter Robertson

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Recovery Objectives

The primary, long-term recovery objective is to ensure the ability of the Corangamite Water Skink to survive, flourish and maintain its potential for evolutionary development in the wild, across its natural geographic range. The Specific Objectives for recovery over the next five years are to:

Investigate the biology and ecology of the Corangamite Water Skink to facilitate effective conservation management.
Determine and manage threats to the Corangamite Water Skink and its habitat.
Protect and manage habitat for the Corangamite Water Skink.
Determine population trends and viability for the Corangamite Water Skink.
Establish and maintain a captive population of Corangamite Water Skinks.
Determine if there is a need for salvage and translocation of Corangamite Water Skinks.
Increase landholder and community awareness of and participation in the recovery program for the Corangamite Water Skink.

Program Implementation and Evaluation

This Recovery Plan guides recovery actions for the Corangamite Water Skink and will be managed by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and overseen by the Corangamite Water Skink Recovery Team. The Recovery Plan will run for five years from the date of its adoption under the EPBC Act. Annual evaluation of implementation will be undertaken by the Recovery Team, and the Recovery Plan will be reviewed within five years of the date of its adoption.

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 $0.68 million over five years, as summarised below and detailed in Table 3.

Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Total Cost
$205,000	$178,000	$110,000	$100,000	$85,000	$678,000

Table 2: Summary of Recovery Objectives, Performance Criteria and Actions

Specific Objectives	Performance Criteria	Actions
Objective 1: Investigate the biology and ecology of the Corangamite Water Skink to facilitate effective conservation management.	The taxonomy, genetic variability and key elements of the life history and demography of E. t. marnieae are determined and the results incorporated into recovery management of the taxon.	Reassess and if required, revise the taxonomy of E. t. marnieae. Investigate the genetic variability of E. t. marnieae populations. Determine the habitat requirements of E. t. marnieae, especially vegetation structure and floristics of grasslands/wetlands, relationship between the rock size, structure and aggregation pattern and waterbody characteristics. Determine movements, seasonality and habitat use of E. t. marnieae. Determine key ecological parameters of the life history of E. t. marnieae. Investigate the interactions between E. t. marnieae and other species of sympatric rock-dwelling skinks.
Objective 2: Determine and manage threats to the Corangamite Water Skink and its habitat.	There is no decrease in the number E. t. marnieae populations and sites occupied, and there is a stable or increasing total number of adult lizards.	Investigate ground water/surface water interactions and the implications of ground water irrigation on E. t. marnieae habitat. Investigate the effects of grazing on the habitat of E. t. marnieae. Investigate the effects of recreational activity on the habitat of E. t. marnieae. Investigate the effects of predation, particularly by introduced predators, on E. t. marnieae. Undertake periodic threat assessments at all E. t. marnieae sites, determine the severity of these threats and implement remedial action. Provide training for land managers involved in activities which may affect E. t. marnieae and its habitat.
Objective 3: Protect and manage habitat for the Corangamite Water Skink.	There is an increase in the total area of habitat on public and private land that is managed for the conservation of E. t. marnieae.	Consider the inclusion of representative areas of the habitat of E. t. marnieae throughout its range in reserves. Ensure long-term sympathetic management of E. t. marnieae and its habitat on non-reserve land, by developing conservation management agreements with landholders controlling E. t. marnieae habitat across the range of the taxon. Establish and implement appropriate management arrangements and guidelines for reserves containing E. t. marnieae. Liaise with grassland/wetland managers to establish and implement interim management guidelines for landholders responsible for non-reserve land which contains E. t. marnieae and/or its habitat. Include E. t. marnieae habitat in specific local government conservation zonings. Periodically review guidelines for the management of E. t. marnieae habitat, as new information on the biology of the subspecies, and on threats and their amelioration, becomes available.
Objective 4: Determine population trends and viability for the Corangamite Water Skink.	Representative sites from each population are monitored annually, population viability analysis of selected populations have been conducted and the results used for conservation management of E. t. marnieae.	Conduct annual monitoring on 14 representative sites (at least 1 site per population) to identify population trends of E. t. marnieae. Undertake population viability analysis of E. t. marnieae populations and use results to prioritise management activities.
Objective 5: Establish and maintain a captive population of Corangamite Water Skinks.	If there is a demonstrated need or opportunity, a captive population of at least 10 adult E. t. marnieae will be established and maintained at a suitable facility.	Define the need for and role of a captive population of E. t. marnieae and set objectives for captive management. Determine the location and conditions for a captive population. Source animals for captive maintenance, considering genetics and ensuring that wild populations are not compromised. Maintain a captive population and use in biological studies as appropriate.
Objective 6: Determine if there is a need for salvage and translocation of Corangamite Water Skinks.	The need for and feasibility of salvage and translocation of E. t. marnieae from threatened sites is determined and, if required, appropriate protocols developed and implemented.	Determine the circumstances under which E. t. marnieae may be salvaged from doomed sites, and develop agreed protocols. Determine the potential objectives, feasibility and appropriateness of translocation. Determine the circumstances under which E. t. marnieae may be translocated, and develop agreed protocols.
Objective 7: Increase landholder and community awareness of and participation in the recovery program for the Corangamite Water Skink.	There is an increase in the number of landholders participating in conservation management of E. t. marnieae and broader community involvement in conservation and on the recovery team is maintained.	Identify and approach specific landholders with E. t. marnieae habitat on their land to participate in conservation management of the taxon, providing support such as land management incentives. Encourage broader community involvements in projects directed at the conservation of E. t. marnieae and native grasslands/wetlands, especially on public land. Produce information material on volcanic plain grasslands and wetlands, and E. t. marnieae conservation and management, for access by community groups, landholders, and private and government organisations. Publicise in various media and at forums the conservation status of E. t. marnieae, up-dates and progress on its recovery and encourage the reporting of any sightings.

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