Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Fauna) Permit is open until the 9th of September 2024.
Applicant: University of Tasmania
Species/Taxon: Eastern quoll (target species); spotted-tailed quolls, Tasmanian devils, feral cats (non-target species which will be handled); mammals, reptiles, birds (bycatch which may be trapped/photographed)
Location: The study will take place at up to 6 sites across the Midlands and East Coast regions. Sites are all on private property, and comprise private reserves owned and managed by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (Prosser River and Kelvedon Hills reserves) as well as private agricultural properties.
Title of research: Using experimental translocations to understand and reverse declines in wild Tasmanian eastern quoll populations.
Aim of project: The overarching goal of the project is to provide reliable information on the causes of observed declines in eastern quoll populations. At the same time, we aim to test the effectiveness of translocations of captive-bred animals as a management tool for the species.
Justification: The project will directly contribute to the conservation of the eastern quoll in Tasmania, the last wild stronghold of the species.
First, the project will test hypotheses generated in previous studies as to the most important factors driving eastern quoll declines. Our results will provide much stronger evidence to confirm/reject these theories than previous work to date, which was largely based on correlating available data from surveys not designed to detect eastern quolls.
Second, the project aims to generate evidence-based guidelines for future translocations of eastern quolls and other species. Translocations are recommended for this species to establish insurance populations on offshore islands, manage genetic bottlenecks on Bruny Island, recover declining populations within Tasmania and reintroduce the species to its former mainland range (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2015). Testing and refining translocation protocols will therefore have a great impact on the conservation of this species.
Last but not least, each translocation aims to supplement or re-establish local eastern quoll populations, and therefore contribute directly to the recovery of the species in the Midlands and East Coast regions. Our results will therefore help determine the effectiveness of translocations as a management tool for the species, and the contexts in which they are most effective.
Properties for this study have been carefully selected to ensure security of tenure and sympathetic land management to ensure the best possible outcomes for translocated quolls as well as access for long-term monitoring. The project involves working on land reserved under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, potentially including the Prosser River and Kelvedon Hills reserves owned and managed by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, as well as areas protected by conservation covenants on other properties.
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved:
Eastern quolls – 240 (maximum 20 captive-bred quolls will be released, and an estimated 20 wild individuals affected per translocation. Up to 6 translocations will take place across three years).
Spotted-tailed quolls (estimated maximum 120), Tasmanian devils (estimated maximum 300) and feral cats (estimated maximum 240) are not targets of this research, but may be captured during live trapping sessions and samples/measurements will be collected for other research programs. For other species, individuals will not be identified and bycatch estimates are therefore based on the number of captures: common brushtail possum (200,1200), short-beaked echidna (10,60), blue-tongue lizard (20,120) and currawong, magpie or raven species (10,60).
Other species will be detected using camera traps. Based on maximum survey effort (6 sites x 48 cameras x 18 months) and the results of previous camera rounds we estimate the maximum number of detections (as individuals will not be identified) of these taxa as 160,000 (mammals), 3,500 (birds) and 180 (reptiles).
Activities undertaken and methods:
Translocations: up to 6 translocations will take place between 2024 and 2028. Timing and protocols of translocations will be varied experimentally to refine methods. Typically, 20 quolls will be released at four separate locations simultaneously within each translocation. However, in the first translocations (summer 2024/2025) we will undertake two staggered releases of 10 quolls each for each translocation, to test the influence of quoll age and release timing on translocation outcomes.
Live-trapping: will be used to monitor survival, body condition and breeding success of wild and translocated eastern quolls. Up to 12 trapping sessions of 5-7 nights will be used per translocation, with up to 80 traps deployed per session. Trapping sessions will occur both pre- and post-translocation (2 prior to translocation, 3 within first 45 days post-translocation, 3 following subsequent staggered release (first translocations only), 2 in breeding season and 2 after juvenile weaning).
On first capture, eastern quolls and non-target carnivore species (devils, spotted-tailed quolls and feral cats) will be microchipped and have ear biopsies taken for genetic analyses. For subsequent captures, individuals will be weighed, measured and checked for external parasites on the first capture of each session. For eastern quolls, blood samples will also be taken periodically (max 4x per year, 360 μL per sample) for health analyses (general condition, disease/pathogen status and toxicology).
Telemetry: will be used to monitor the dispersal, habitat use and behaviour of wild and translocated eastern quolls, including interactions between the two groups and the impact of the translocation on the behaviour of the wild population. VHF or combined GPS/VHF tags will be attached to the quoll’s tails using sports tape, and quolls will be tracked for a maximum of 3 months (1 month prior to release for wild individuals, and for 6 weeks post-translocation). Quolls will be tracked to their daytime den locations between 3-7 times weekly.
Camera traps: will be used to monitor survival and long-term impacts of translocations on local population abundance. All release sites already have a grid of 30 cameras operating continuously (permit TFA23149). Up to 48 additional cameras (12 per location) may be deployed to ensure coverage of all release locations. Cameras will operate continuously for up to 18 months, with scent bait (fish oil) refreshed once every 3-4 months.
Fate of animals: All animals trapped for the project will be released at point of capture.
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch):
Eastern quolls (captive-bred): translocations are inherently risky, with individuals experiencing increased stress due to introduction to a novel environment. Previous research indicates that up to 25% mortality of translocated individuals may be expected, though all possible steps will be taken to reduce mortality risks as far as possible.
Eastern quolls (wild and captive-bred): quolls will experience moderate impacts from live-trapping, handling and telemetry activities. Food baits are provided to compensate for missed foraging, as individuals may spend up to 24h in a trap per capture, and traps will be covered with hessian sacks to provide protection from the elements. Traps will be moved/closed if any one individual is caught more than three times in the same session. Handling stress will be minimised as far as possible by keeping the eyes covered at all times. Handling procedures (including microchipping, ear biopsies and blood samples) have been developed based on decades of experience with quolls and devils at long-term monitoring sites, and are known to have minimal impact on the animal.
Lastly, we are using tail-mounted rather than collar-mounted VHF/GPS units to minimise the risk of serious injury (which can result from chafing/incorrect collar fit), and avoid long-term impacts if animals cannot be recaptured (pilot studies indicate tail-mounts fall/are groomed off after ~20 days on average). These will be checked regularly, and removed if there are any signs of skin irritation (occurred for 1/20 animals in recent pilot study). Tracking will have minimal behavioural impact: quolls will only be tracked when active if there are welfare concerns, and care will be taken not to disturb quolls during daytime den checks.
Spotted-tailed quolls, Tasmanian devils and feral cats: may experience impacts from trapping and handling (as above), but will not have blood samples taken or VHF/GPS units attached.
Bycatch species and camera trap impacts: other species (particularly brushtail possums) may be captured during live-trapping. These animals will not be handled, but may spend up to 24h in a trap (as above). Repeat captures of non-target species in the same trap will trigger trap closure/movement to minimise these impacts. Camera trapping will have negligible impact on all species, with minor behavioural impacts associated with use of scent baits. Cameras will be programmed to use infra-red flash to avoid startle responses.