Abstract: |
There have been four releases of Greater Bilby into Venus Bay Conservation Park (VBCP) between September 2002 and July 2003. In total, 19 bilbies, consisting of 10 males and 9 females, have been translocated from a breeding colony at Monarto Zoo. Release animals were monitored using radio telemetry each night for the first week, twice weekly for the remainder of the first four weeks and weekly for the remainder of the first three months post release. Attempts are made to recapture each animal at the end of each of the first three months for health check, including obtaining weight and transmitter replacement as necessary. Another release of four individuals (2 females and 2 males) from Monarto is planned for November 2005. Current monitoring involves spotlight counts along oat trails transects (4.5km) conducted every two-three months and has shown a slow but relatively steady increase in numbers: Four spotlighting surveys conducted in 2005 recorded 21, 19, 31 and 37 individuals.
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