Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Threatened Fauna) is open until 4 July.
Applicant: Australian National University
Species/Taxon: King Island scrubtit (Acanthornis magna subsp. greeniana)
Location: Pegarah State Forest (Sustainable Timber Tasmania), Colliers’ Swamp (crown land), Nook Swamps (PWS)
Title of research: A genetic rescue plan for the King Island scrubtit
Aim of project: Obtain fundamental information on disease ecology and demography that can be used to inform evidence-based genetic rescue of the King Island scrubtit in future. This would improve the conservation status of the King Island scrubtit by reducing the impacts of inbreeding and the susceptibility of the population to extinction through stochastic events such as wildfire.
Justification:
- why working on threatened species or on reserved land: The work must be undertaken on King Island scrubtit as the information required is to directly inform future conservation actions for this taxon. The work must be undertaken on reserved land as reserved land comprises one of only three areas on King Island the taxon is known to persist in.
- any conservation or management benefits: The conservation benefits are to help inform genetic rescue of the King Island scrubtit by reducing the impacts of inbreeding and disease. In turn it is hoped this will increase the long-term viability of the population to help prevent its extinction. The information gathered may also help reduce the chances of extinction through stochastic events by establishing a new subpopulation in suitable habitat on King Island through translocations.
- any benefits to our understanding of Tasmanian ecology or human health: The project will increase our understanding of the disease ecology and population dynamics of a Tasmanian taxon.
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved: Maximum number of 15 individuals trapped temporarily for sampling, banding and release. Maximum of five nests monitored remotely using motion-sensing cameras.
Activities undertaken and methods: Temporary trapping using mist nets and call playback. Disease screening through: (i) feather sampling (plucking of up to 3 undertail coverts); (ii) blood sampling through brachial venipuncture; and (iii) opportunistic collection of faecal samples. Nest searching through passive observation. Deployment of motion-sensing cameras at active nests to monitor nest activity and fate remotely. Banding trapped individuals using single ABBBS metal band and up to one anodised coloured metal band on the other leg.
Fate of animals: Returned alive to wild.
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch): Temporary disturbance, temporary increase in stress levels.