Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Fauna) Permit is open until Mon 30 June 2025
Applicant: Enviro-dynamics
Species/Taxon:
Non-target species:
Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii
Eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus
Spotted-tail quoll Dasyurus maculatus
Location: Wedge-tailed eagle carcass persistence surveys will occur in the northwest and northern midlands areas of the state. Landholder permission will be sought for all survey locations. A mix of land tenures will be surveyed however in the northern midlands it will likely be entirely private freehold. In the northwest it may also include Future Potential Production Forest.
Title of research: Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle carcass persistence study
Aim of project: The aim of the project is to determine how long Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle carcasses persist in the landscape.
Justification: This study is part of a larger study on understanding transmission line strike-risk for the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, with this component building an understanding of the probability of carcass detection which is vital for the statistical analysis in the larger study. While transmission infrastructure is considered by experts to be a lower risk for Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle strike than distribution infrastructure, the risk has not been quantified. Understanding strike-risk may assist with mitigation prioritisation across the network - if it is found this is required - and will contribute to the global understanding of the interactions between raptors and power lines.
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved: 20 wedge-tailed eagle carcasses will be placed in the landscape. The number of associated scavengers is unknown. The scavengers these carcasses may attract include Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and spotted-tail quolls.
Activities undertaken and methods:
Wedge-tailed eagle carcasses will be sourced from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Carcasses sourced will only be those not euthanised using lethobarb, and not diseased. Any carcasses that are sewn will be done so using a fine biodegradable cotton thread. They will be stored frozen on site at Enviro-dynamics until placed in the landscape. Once in the landscape they will be monitored both with cameras, and visits daily for the first four days, and every second day thereafter for ten days in total. Detection dogs will be used for the survey to test their detection efficiency for the broader study. Any carcasses remaining following the study will be taken to the South Hobart tip.
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch): The carcass persistence study may impact scavengers’ movement across the landscape if they are attracted to the carcasses.