Credit Image: Brad Leue/AWS
Once extinct in the mallee woodland of south west NSW, the pint-sized, carnivorous Red-tailed Phascogale is now being recorded leaping around one of Australia’s largest feral predator-free fenced areas. This marks a remarkable turnaround for the species that had been wiped out in NSW for over a century by introduced cats and foxes.
Twenty‑two phascogales were photographed on motion‑sensor cameras at Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary on Barkindji Country. The recordings were captured within just four months of the species being released inside the sanctuary’s 8,000-hectare feral-free exclosure.
Despite their agility and distinctive tail, phascogales are notoriously difficult to detect, at around 20 centimetres long and weighing no more than 68 grams, they move quickly and rarely linger in front of cameras. Even in fenced sanctuaries they are considered one of the hardest species to monitor after release, making these early detections a valuable indication that individuals are adapting and surviving post‑reintroduction.
“We were stoked when we came across the first photo of a Red-tailed Phascogale, then the images just kept coming,” said Dr Rachel Ladd, AWC Wildlife Ecologist. “We weren’t expecting to see so many so soon, but these detections have helped confirm that the phascogales are surviving and settling in across the habitat. This is a critical first step toward a self-sustaining population.”
While once found across a wide range of Australia’s mainland, the Red-tailed Phascogale’s population has suffered declines since colonisation due to land clearing, habitat fragmentation, and the introduction of feral predators. Today, the species survives in isolated pockets of Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region.
Over the last decade, AWC has led a national reintroduction program to rebuild the species’ global numbers and establish wild, self-sustaining populations. Phascogales have been returned to feral predator-free areas at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary (2017-18) and Mallee Cliffs National Park (2021-22), where AWC works in partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. In May last year, a third reintroduction took place at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, with 94 individuals sourced from Adelaide Zoo’s captive breeding program.
Since the reintroduction to Scotia, AWC ecologists have monitored the species for early survival and habitat usage. Forty-seven motion sensor cameras were deployed across three survey zones centred on the original release sites where the 22 individuals were detected.
“Seeing the phascogales take those first steps toward re‑establishing a wild population is incredibly encouraging for everyone involved,” said Dr Jennifer Anson, AWC Senior Ecologist leading the organisation’s reintroduction program. “This type of significant wildlife conservation work is only possible because of long‑term planning and strong partnerships on the ground.”
For more information on AWC’s work with the Red-tailed Phascogale, click here.
This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a pragmatic, on-ground global conservation leader, conserving landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Informed by science, we deliver measurable conservation impact at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species and their habitats, including restoring degraded landscapes where necessary.
INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.
Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!