Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes
Wildlife Australia, December 1996
ISBN 0 6422 1395 X
Recovery Outline - pectacled Hare-wallaby
Taxon Summary
| Spectacled Hare-wallaby (mainland) |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Lagorchestes conspicillatus leichardti Gould, 1853
3 Common name: Spectacled Hare-wallaby (mainland)
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): c
5 Past range and abundance:
Formerly occupied almost half of the Australian continent. Range included the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA, western and central deserts of WA and NT, and most of tropical NT and Qld. Distribution extended from Broome across to the Pacific coast. Generally absent from the wetter areas of the northern Kimberley and northern-most part of Cape York. Occurred as far south as the MacDonnell Ranges (NT, 24S) and Rockhampton (Qld).
6 Present range and abundance:
Distribution is extremely patchy. WA - Now extremely rare and reduced to a few isolated populations in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions (extremely rare in the latter, eg. sighting near Ellenbrae Station in the north Kimberley and Pentecost Downs in 1989). NT - Widespread, extends as far north as 12S in Arnhem Land. Disappeared from the southern-most parts of its range, now rarely occurring south of 21S - a range contraction of more than 200 km. Common in suitable habitat between 16-18S. Qld - Widespread, recorded from Weipa on Cape York west to Dajarra and south to Rolleston near Rockhampton. Extent of occurrence has not altered markedly in Qld although there is strong evidence of a marked decline in abundance in the south-eastern parts of its range (ie, the central highlands area), and area of occupancy may have declined 20-30% due to broadscale clearing and development. Habitats suitable for L. c. leichardti are poorly represented in reserves across Australia. |
7 Habitat:
Occupies a wide variety of habitat types including: open forests, open woodland, tall shrublands, tussock grasslands and hummock grasslands. In the central part of its range in NT, particularly favours Acacia shirleyi/Macropteranthes kekwickii thickets (Lancewood/Bullwaddy) with an open understorey. In the drier southern parts of its range it commonly occupies spinifex (Triodia or Plectrachne spp.) sandplains interspersed with low shrubs and a diversity of either soft grasses, sedges or forb species. In the northern part of its range in NT and in eastern and central Qld it occupies open woodlands or open forests (generally Eucalyptus spp., Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Terminalia canescens or Lysiphyllum cunninghamii), with a tussock grass understorey. Predominant grass species in central Qld include Themeda triandra, Bothriocloa ewartiana and Heteropogon contortus. This species frequently feeds in areas regenerating after fire.
8 Current threats:
Probably many and varied in different parts of the range. Little direct evidence to determine the exact factors but these probably include introduced predators (foxes in southern parts of the range and possibly cats), and competitors, the pastoral industry (particularly sheep in the Pilbara and cattle in the south-west Kimberley and possibly MacDonnell Ranges) and changes in fire regimes (central Australia). In central Qld, overgrazing coupled with the effects of the long drought conditions have led to a decrease in the number of shelter sites (tussock grasses reduced in structure) and thereby increasing the probability of predation by dingoes.
In central Qld the species seems to be stable where stocking rates are conservative: property sizes in the area are large enough to have flexible stocking rates and allow for paddock spelling. Fire is also used as a management tool - summer mosaic burns of which the stock and wallabies take advantage. Properties in the area have been managed in a constant manner for the last 60 years.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Regular surveys (every 5 years) to monitor any changes in distribution or abundance across the range, particularly in southern areas where numbers are declining.
9.2 Increase the area of suitable habitat under protection (in conservation reserves), particularly in WA and Qld. Increase protection of vegetation types poorly represented in the reserve system (eg. Lancewood/Bullwaddy thickets of NT, Eucalyptus woodland of northern and central NT and central Qld).
9.3 Enter into protective agreements with landowners having populations of L. c. leichardti on their properties.
9.4 Determine locations, size and factors threatening populations, particularly in WA and Qld.
9.5 More detailed ecological studies of the species eg. habitat requirements, home range, dispersal patterns, social organisation, reproductive physiology, natural cycles in population size.
9.6 Determine response to different fire regimes and to different land management practices (eg. grazing, clearing, burning, dingo baiting) in order to establish appropriate management techniques and conservation options, especially on pastoral land.
9.7 Assess current population densities and viability in different parts of the range (see also 9.1).
9.8 Study effects of introduced predators (particularly cats and foxes) on population size and distribution.
9.9 Detailed study of population genetics required to clarify taxonomic status of various populations and extent of genetic variation within populations.
References:
Horsup A. and McCosker J. 1992. The distribution of Spectacled Hare-wallabies in central Queensland. Department of Environment and Heritage Technical Report, Brisbane (unpublished).
Ingleby S. 1991. Distribution and status of the Spectacled Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes conspicillatus. Wildlife Research 18, 501-519.
Ingleby S. and Westoby M. 1992. Habitat requirements of the Spectacled Hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Wildlife Research 19, 721-741.
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Taxon Summary
| Black Wallaroo |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus bernardus Rothschild, 1904
3 Common name: Black Wallaroo
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b
5 Past range and abundance:
Restricted to the sandstone escarpment and plateau of western Arnhem Land. No estimates of total population numbers, although Press (1988) provided an index of abundance based on helicopter surveys. Locally common within restricted range (Parker 1971, Press 1988).
6 Present range and abundance:
 |
As above. No evidence of any decline in range or abundance. |
7 Habitat:
Occurs in a range of vegetation types from closed forests and Eucalyptus open forest to heaths and hummock grasslands, but almost always in areas characterised by large boulders.
8 Current threats:
Recent changes in fire regime may have led to alteration of vegetation structure or floristic composition in the sandstone massif. Much of the range lies within Kakadu NP.
9 Recommended actions:
Assess the relationship of the species to the one possible threatening process, fire regime, through monitoring of the abundance across a range of sites of varying fire history, and through detailed study of diet, habitat use and response of vegetation to fire.
References:
Parker S.A. 1971. Notes on the small black wallaroo Macropus bernardus (Rothschild, 1904) of Arnhem Land. Victorian Naturalist 88, 41-43.
Press A.J. 1988. The distribution and status of macropods (Marsupalia: Macropodidae) in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Australian Mammalogy 11, 103-108.
Taxon Summary
| Tammar Wallaby (Kangaroo Is) |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus eugenii decres Troughton, 1941
3 Common name: Tammar Wallaby (Kangaroo Island)
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b
5 Past range and abundance:
Kangaroo Island (SA).
6 Present range and abundance:
Kangaroo Island (SA). Populations have also been introduced to Greenly (ca 1905) and Boston (1971) Islands in SA from Kangaroo Island. Recent morphometric and biochemical studies have suggested that the WA and SA populations are morphologically and genetically distinct. Furthermore, they showed that the Kangaroo Island and Greenly (and hence Boston Island) populations were distinguishable from WA and mainland SA specimens, and from New Zealand specimens. The New Zealand populations appear to have their closest affinities with mainland South Australian specimens (see Poole et al. 1991 for details). If the Kangaroo Island animals are distinct at the species or subspecies level, then their conservation status needs to be considered from the perspective of their existence in only one naturally occurring population (Kangaroo Island) occupying about 4216 km2. Two small introduced populations of about 50 individuals on 202 ha Greenly Island and about a few hundred (?) individuals on 809 ha Boston Island represent some of this gene pool (see Robinson 1980 and Poole et al. 1991), as do captive research populations at CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology (ACT), Monash University (Vic.) and the University of Newcastle (NSW). The SA mainland form of the Tammar Wallaby, considered extinct for some time, may still be extant as the introduced populations in New Zealand. |
7 Habitat:
Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, heath, coastal scrub and mallee thickets. The Tammar is largely nocturnal, feeds mostly on grasses, appears to need drinking water for survival (although this can include sea water for some of the time) and shelters in dense cover during the day (even on islands with no terrestrial predators). On Greenly Island, the introduced Tammars have drastically altered the local vegetation structure from a sheoak woodland to a Poa grassland. Their presence on Boston Island is also having negative impacts.
8 Current threats:
None known. Tammars on Kangaroo Island are an agricultural pest and destruction permits for several thousand wallabies are issued annually. One to a few hundred wallabies are also removed (alive) annually to help maintain scientific research colonies. Many hundreds are killed annually when hit by vehicles travelling the island's roads. At present, these losses appear to be sustainable. In the next five years, road usage by tourists is forecast to increase by 50-100%. This would be expected to increase the numbers of road kills, at least initially, but this should be balanced by a decrease in the number of destruction permits applied for and issued.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Assess distribution and abundance using standard survey techniques.
9.2 Monitor numbers of animals taken under destruction permit.
9.3 Monitor numbers of road-killed animals per month along selected main tourist routes.
9.4 Prepare species management plan, especially if commercial use/Tammar farming is developed.
References:
Poole W.E., Wood J.T. and Simms N.G. 1991. Distribution of the Tammar, Macropus eugenii, and the relationships of populations as determined by cranial morphometrics. Wildlife Research 18, 625-639.
Taxon Summary
| Tammar Wallaby (WA) |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus eugenii derbianus (Gray, 1837)
3 Common name: Tammar Wallaby (WA)
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): a
5 Past range and abundance:
Throughout much of south-west WA from Kalbarri NP to Cape Arid east of Esperance on the south coast, and extending to the western parts of the Wheatbelt (Beverley, Brookton, Pingelly). Regarded as easy to hunt on islands by 19th century explorers and plentiful on the mainland in the early 1900s. However already disappearing from cultivated areas by 1909.
6 Present range and abundance:
Known from three islands in the Houtman Abrolhos group (East Wallabi, West Wallabi, and North (a small population introduced from one of the Wallabi Islands)), Garden Island (near Perth), Middle and North Twin Peak Islands (Archipelago of the Recherche) (Abbott and Burbidge 1995) as well as at least nine sites on the mainland (Dryandra, Boyagin, Tutanning, Batalling (re-introduced), Perup, private property near Pingelly, Jaloran Road timber reserve near Wagin, near Hopetoun and Fitzgerald River NP). Still reasonably abundant at these sites, which are subject to fox control. |
7 Habitat:
Thickets (often Melaleuca or Gastrolobium) near to more open woodlands with grass understorey.
8 Current threats:
Fox predation, and loss of suitable thickets due to inappropriate fire regimes and clearing.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Monitor Tammar populations at forest and woodland sites as part of threatened species reintroduction programs and broad scale fox control programs.
9.2 Implement appropriate fire regimes to ensure regeneration of thickets.
References:
Abbott A., and Burbidge A.A. 1995. The occurrence of mammal species on the islands of Australia: a summary of existing knowledge. CALM Science 1(3), 259-324.
Poole W.E., Wood J.T. and Simms N.G. 1991. Distribution of the Tammar Macropus eugenii and the relationships of populations as determined by cranial morphometrics. Wildlife Research 18(5), 619-624.
Shortridge G.C. 1909. An account of the geographical distribution of the marsupials and monotremes of south west Australia. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909, 803-847.
Taxon Summary
| Kangaroo Island Western Grey Kangaroo |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus (Desmarest, 1817)
3 Common name: Kangaroo Island Western Grey Kangaroo
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b
5 Past range and abundance:
Kangaroo Island (SA) (4216 km2).
6 Present range and abundance:
 |
Kangaroo Island (SA). |
7 Habitat:
Open forests, woodlands, scrubs and heaths throughout the island; now also feed extensively in cleared farming land adjacent to native bush areas.
8 Current threats:
None known. Population has expanded markedly in recent decades. The kangaroo is an agricultural pest in some areas on Kangaroo Island and many destruction permits are issued annually. In addition many kangaroos are killed when hit by vehicles on the island's roads. A projected significant increase in such traffic on the main tourist roads over the next five years may lead to an increase in numbers of animals killed, at least initially.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Assess distribution and abundance through standard survey techniques.
9.2 Monitor numbers of animals applied for and taken under destruction permits each year.
9.3 Monitor numbers of animals killed along selected sections of main tourist roads each month.
References:
Kemper C.M. and Queale L. 1990. Mammals. In C.H.S. Watts (Ed.) A List of the Vertebrates of South Australia. Biological Survey Coordinating Committee and Department of Environment and Planning, Adelaide.
Taxon Summary
| Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Tas) |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis Le Souef, 1923
3 Common name: Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Tas)
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b
5 Past range and abundance:
Eastern Tas., in an area of 2.5 million ha of available habitat before agricultural development (Barker and Caughley 1990). Clearing for agriculture and uncontrolled hunting reduced abundance and fragmented the range to three remnant populations occupying less than 140 000 ha by 1976. The subspecies was fully protected by law in 1898 but its range has still been reduced by more than 90%. A translocation program to private land in the 1970s and the reservation of suitable habitat has slowed the population decline and temporarily increased the range of the species, which still occupies less than 200 000 ha (Pearse 1981).
6 Present range and abundance:
 Abundance estimated between 10 000 and 20 000 animals. Largest areas of reserved habitat are in Mt William NP (5 000 animals), Maria Island NP (750 animals, introduced) and a small population of 50 animals in Asbestos Range NP. Many small isolated populations exist on private property but the total area of occupancy is less than 200 000 ha. |
7 Habitat:
Open grassy dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands and heathlands.
8 Current threats:
Loss of habitat through agricultural development. Illegal hunting and competition with stock and other macropods for drought affected pastures on private land makes the population conservation dependent. Populations are fragmented and isolated on private property and subject to culling.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Continue to monitor abundance at selected sites throughout range in order to regulate culling levels.
9.2 Habitat management in reserves to maintain viable populations.
9.3 Periodic translocation to maintain populations on private property throughout its fragmented and reduced range.
References:
Barker R.D. and Caughley G. 1990. Distribution and abundance of kangaroos at the time of European contact: Tasmania. Australian Mammalogy 13, 157-166.
Pearse R.J. 1981. Notes on the breeding, growth and longevity of the Forester or Eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus Shaw, in Tasmania. Australian Wildlife Research 8, 229-235.
Taxon Summary
| Western Brush Wallaby |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus irma (Jourdan, 1837)
3 Common name: Western Brush Wallaby, Kwoora
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): c
5 Past range and abundance:
South-western Australia, from north of Kalbarri to Cape Arid, except the Karri forests. Very common in the early days of settlement and at times very large numbers were traded commercially for skins, eg. 122 000 in 1923 and 105 000 in 1924. The species was fully protected in 1951.
6 Present range and abundance:
 Similar, however clearing for agriculture has severely fragmented and reduced their range. They remained common in the larger uncleared areas until about 20 years ago, particularly in the jarrah forests of the Darling Range. There is now a significant decline in abundance within most remaining habitat; spotlight surveys in 1970 and 1990 within jarrah forest suggested a decline from ca 10/100 km of transect to ca 1/100 km |
. |
7 Habitat:
Open forests and woodlands, but also occur in scrub, mallee and heath.
8 Current threats:
There have been no detailed biological studies; however there is some evidence that foxes take the young and that the species increases in abundance in areas where foxes have been controlled. Illegal hunting is affecting abundance in some areas.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Monitor abundance at selected sites throughout range, including areas where fox control has been implemented.
9.2 Conduct research aimed at clarifying the reasons for the species' decline.
References:
Christensen P. 1995. Western Brush Wallaby Macropus irma. Pp. 341-342 in R. Strahan (Ed.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Chatswood, NSW.
Taxon Summary
| Parma Wallaby |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Macropus parma Waterhouse, 1845
3 Common name: Parma Wallaby
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): a
5 Past range and abundance:
Distribution entirely within NSW, from 29 to perhaps 3630'S (detected from old photographs, Lunney and Leary 1988) in the Bega Valley. Known in particular from the Illawarra, Central Coast, Barrington and Dorrigo forests. Parma Wallabies were introduced to and established on Kauwau Island, New Zealand.
6 Present range and abundance:
No longer known south of Gosford, but it continues to be detected regularly throughout the northern parts of its range, as identified by Maynes (1977). Upper altitudinal sites include the Dorrigo Plateau, Gibraltar Range and Barrington Tops, up to 1 000 m above sea level. Scattered through suitable forests of the escarpment, but no longer found in coastal forests. Feral population persists on Kauwau Island, NZ. In the southern and coastal parts of its range, clearing has reduced habitat availability. Parma Wallabies have been shown to be highly susceptible to predation by foxes. While foxes may not penetrate far into dense wet sclerophyll forest, Parma Wallabies may be exposed to predation when feeding at the grassy edges of forest or along roads. |
7 Habitat:
Wet sclerophyll forest with dense understorey, but with access to forest with a grassy understorey; less often found in dry sclerophyll forests or the edges of rainforest.
8 Current threats:
Forest fragmentation combined with fox predation appear to be the principal reasons for the decline of the species. Grazing and burning regimes that affect availability of shelter may disadvantage populations.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Complete Recovery Plan.
9.2 Review recent survey work by NSW NPWS and others to establish a predicted modelled range, as a guide to detailed surveying.
9.3 Define precise habitat requirements and manage for them. This can be combined with fine-grained survey to establish limits of current distribution and inter-connectedness of subpopulations.
9.4 Protect populations from feral predators.
9.5 Declaration of additional conservation reserves.
9.6 Develop and implement methods and criteria for monitoring.
References:
Lunney D. and Leary T. 1988. The impact on the native mammals of land-use changes and exotic species in the Bega District (New South Wales), since settlement. Australian Journal of Zoology 13, 67-92.
Maynes G.M. 1977. Distribution and aspects of the biology of the parma wallaby, Macropus parma, in New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 4, 109-125.
Taxon Summary
| Monjon |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Petrogale burbidgei Kitchener and Sanson, 1978
3 Common name: Monjon
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b
5 Past range and abundance:
North-west Kimberley including Bigge (17 850 ha), Boongaree (4 935 ha) and Katers (1 775 ha) Islands; sightings of a small rock-wallaby on Wollaston Island (798 ha) possibly of this species. Only two known localities on the mainland - Prince Regent Nature Reserve and Mitchell Plateau.
6 Present range and abundance:
 |
As above. |
7 Habitat:
Screes and rock piles, usually in open woodland.
8 Current threats:
Not known. Future exploitation of bauxite deposits on the Mitchell Plateau could possibly have negative impact. Predation by feral cats may be affecting abundance on the mainland. Changed fire regimes since Aborigines moved to settlements may also be affecting the species.
9 Recommended actions:
9.1 Survey to clarify distribution, abundance and habitat requirements, especially on the mainland.
9.2 Identify populations for regular monitoring.
9.3 Conduct research aimed at understanding species' conservation biology.
References:
Burbidge A.A. and McKenzie N.L. (Eds) 1978. The islands of the North-west Kimberley Western Australia. Wildlife Research Bulletin of Western Australia No. 7, 1-47. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Perth.
Kitchener D.J. 1995. Monjon Petrogale burbidgei. P. 369 in R. Strahan (Ed.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Chatswood, NSW.
Taxon Summary
| Cape York Rock-wallaby |
|---|
1 Family: Macropodidae
2 Scientific name: Petrogale coenensis Eldridge and Close, 1992
3 Common name: Cape York Rock-wallaby
4 Conservation status: Lower Risk (near threatened): b, d
5 Past range and abundance:
Restricted to small area of eastern Cape York Peninsula from Musgrave 240 km north to Pascoe River. Known only from ten specimens. Appears to be uncommon and occurs in small scattered colonies at three known localities.
6 Present range and abundance:
 |
As above. |
7 Habitat:
Rocky outcrops, rocky gullies and boulder piles usually in open woodland.
8 Current threats:
Unknown at present but may include loss of habitat from development and competition from domestic and feral exotic herbivores.
9 Recommended Actions:
9.1 Survey to clarify distribution, abundance and habitat requirements.
9.2 Determine conservation status.
9.3 Identify populations for regular monitoring.
9.4 Conduct research aimed at understanding biology, ecology and conservation requirements.
References:
Eldridge M.D.B. and Close R.L. 1992. Taxonomy of Rock-wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupalia: Macropodidae). I. A revision of the eastern Petrogale with the description of three new species. Australian Journal of Zoology 40, 605-625.