ABSTRACT Many invasive species have had negative effects on the Australian environment, including the introduced Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) . However, there is a paucity of information on the factors influencing the fine scale distribution and abundance patterns of Sambar Deer in south-eastern Australia. We present the results of a field survey of Sambar Deer in the Critically Endangered Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans ) forests of the Central Highlands, Victoria. Our key question was: What factors influence detections of Sambar deer (based on scat counts) within the Mountain Ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands? We surveyed 86 long-term field sites and detected a total of 245 groups of Sambar Deer pellets on 42% of these sites. Negative binomial regression modelling identified three factors associated with the occurrence of deer pellets. We recorded more pellets: (1) in 30 and 80 year old forest that remained unburned in fires that occurred in 2009, (2) on sites within closed National Parks relative to sites in State Forest, and (3) close to streams.

The relationship between environmental variables and the occurrence of potential hollows and hollow-bearing trees in three dry forest types (dry Eucalyptus delegatensis forest, E. pulchella - E. globulus - E. viminalis grassy/shrubby forest and dry E. obliqua forest) in south-eastern Tasmania, was examined using generalised linear modelling. The number of trees with potential hollows and the number of potential hollows was significantly higher in dry E. obliqua forest, compared with the other two forest types. The number of potential hollows per tree was best explained by tree species, tree form, degree of burn damage and the interaction between burn damage and tree species. There was no significant relationship between the number of trees with potential hollows per site and the environmental variables measured. However, the number of potential hollows per site was best explained by several environmental variables: vegetation type (highest in dry E. obliqua forest); topographic position; amount of dead trees on the ground; the age of the stand; the average total basal area of all trees; the height of the overstorey vegetation and various interactions between these variables and other variables, such as understorey cover. A model developed using a subset of the environmental variables measured was coupled with GIS data to develop a map of the predicted occurrence of trees with potential hollows throughout the study area. The use of such a predictive map for landscape level planning, in particular to assess the implications of land use scenarios on the hollow resource, is illustrated.

Times of occurrence and abundances of five Palearctic, and one New Zealand, migratory waders in Botany Bay over the period 1942 to 1966, are documented from Arnold McGill's unique data set. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper occurred from early September to the end of February; Red-necked Stint from beginning of September to early March; Bar-tailed Godwit from September to April; Golden Plover, October-April; and Double-banded Plover from late March to late August. Taking into account birds on passage the sandpiper was most abundant in the first years, the stint from 1952 to 1959; godwit from 1952 to 1959: curlew sandpiper from 1957 to 1966; numbers of the two plover species were relatively constant. It is suggested that the variation reflects level of success on the breeding grounds, not changes in the quality of the Botany Bay habitat since degradational changes in the latter had not then occurred. The study emphasizes the great importance of Botany Bay as a wader habitat; it is still a good place to “see” waders but only future quantitative munts will show its current status. Data on quality of the feeding habitat, in addition to changes in area, is needed. Future wader conservation necessitates a simultaneous study of all major feeding grounds for waders along the east coast.

ABSTRACT Aerial surveys are a powerful means of collecting ecological data in terrestrial and marine systems that may otherwise be difficult to acquire. Increasingly aerial observations are made with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), such as drones. As this technology has improved in reliability and affordability it has replaced the traditional use of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Drones do, however, have limitations; primarily in their limited flight duration, potential to disturb wildlife and concerns over safety. Here we introduce an aerostat, a ground tethered blimp, as a logistically simple and economical alternative to drones and other aircraft. Blimps differ from drones by using helium for lift, thereby conserving battery life. This technology offers the advantage of near-continuous coverage of locations, as well as providing a safe and accessible alternative aerial platform for a range of applications. We demonstrate the viability of blimp-mounted cameras in a notoriously difficult area to conduct research: the high-energy nearshore marine zone. Specifically, we sought to determine the likelihood of encountering marine megafauna using real-time video and whether their presence was correlated with the occurrence of baitfish. Stingrays were observed more often than other species and the occurrence of seals was correlated with the presence of baitfish. The continuous coverage allowed the observation of foraging behaviour in sharks and seals for extended periods. This demonstrates the utility of this novel technique to improve human safety and enhance ecological research.

This study examined the occurrence, relative abundance and condition of platypuses in the upper catchment of the South Esk River, in north-east Tasmania, Australia, and the impact of past forestry activities on the occurrence of platypuses in first order headwater streams. The main trapping sites were in twenty first order streams, eight second-fourth order headwater streams and one fifth order stream reach. Additional trapping was also undertaken in the South Esk River and farm dams. Sites were trapped during late spring/mid summer and early autumn. A total of 78 individuals were caught in the study area. Platypuses were caught at all sites trapped in the second-fourth order and fifth order stream reaches and in nine of the twenty first order streams. Catch success was greatest in the fifth order stream reach and lowest in the first order streams. There was a trend toward a higher proportion of juvenile/subadult males in the lower order stream sites. For the higher stream orders, a higher proportion of individuals was caught during the summer, however for the first order streams, a higher proportion was caught during the autumn trapping period. Information collected on the body mass, body length and condition of individuals indicated smaller individuals with a higher tail fat index in the lower order streams. There was a trend toward a lower occurrence of platypuses in the first order streams, which had been disturbed 15 years previously by forestry operations compared to first order streams with relatively undisturbed catchments. Differences in occurrence of platypuses were related to differences in the ‘instream’ and riparian characteristics of disturbed streams compared to undisturbed streams. Headwater streams form a large proportion of a river system. Although they provide more marginal habitat for the platypus than larger river reaches, their disturbance may be an important land management issue in the conservation of this species, particularly in river catchments where the species is impacted by other environmental changes or disease.

The Pale Imperial Hairstreak Butterfly Jalmenus eubulus is associated with Brigalow Acacia harpophylla communities in Queensland. The only previous record from New South Wales (NSW) was in a Travelling Stock Reserve south of Boggabilla in 1977. A two week survey was undertaken around this location in 2013 to determine whether the species still persisted in NSW and, if so, to document the extent of its distribution and its management requirements. The species was found at four of the 37 locations surveyed. These enclosed an area of 47.2 km 2 (extent of occurrence) with 12.5 km 2 of potential Brigalow habitat. The vegetation at capture sites ranged from old growth to dense saplings, but with Brigalow always dominating the canopy. There were many sites with Brigalow vegetation similar to the capture sites, both within and outside the extent of occurrence, where the species was not found. Further surveys are warranted within suitable Brigalow vegetation both within the extent of occurrence and surrounding areas, as well as in a complex of Brigalow vegetation south of Narrabri, to better define the distribution of the butterfly. There are no conservation reserves within the known distribution in NSW and the butterfly's habitat is highly fragmented and subject to many disturbances.

We assessed decline in the distribution of P. cinereus in Queensland over the last century using historical data from P. cinereus surveys and the Queensland State Archives to measure change in extent of occurrence and area of occupancy. Broad distribution (extent of occurrence, measured with a minimum convex polygon) has contracted by about 27% and area of occupancy (measured with a 30 minute grid) by about 31%. The degree of contraction in area of occupancy correlates with the estimated extent of habitat loss, supporting suggestions that habitat loss has been, and may still be, the major threat to koalas in Queensland. Contraction in the overall range has occurred on the northern and western margins of the distribution (the Wet Tropics, Gulf Plains, Mitchell Grass Downs, and Mulga Lands Bioregions). Distribution showed a latitudinal change during the harvest period in the early 20th century, with an increase in area of occupancy in central Queensland and a decrease in southern and northern Queensland. This correlates with corresponding changes in population size. Analysis of distribution does not provide support for listing P. cinereus as vulnerable in Queensland or the South East Queensland Bioregion. Problems in measurement of area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are discussed. It is difficult to measure the areas accurately due to difficulty in meeting the underlying assumptions of the techniques.

ABSTRACT Identifying threats and their regional occurrence across a species’ range is increasingly valuable for prioritising threat-specific interventions and achieving effective conservation outcomes. We surveyed registered wildlife rehabilitators to identify (i) threats faced by the koala across Victoria and (ii) their perceptions on koala population trends and potential threat mitigation actions. Wildlife rehabilitators identified habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation as the biggest threat to koalas, while vehicle collisions, heatwaves and wildfire were also identified as key threats. Accordingly, reducing the clearing of native vegetation was considered the most effective threat mitigation action, while creating of wildlife corridors, planting of more food trees, and educating communities living in koala occupied areas were also considered appropriate mitigation strategies. Finally, 89% of wildlife rehabilitators believed that koala numbers are declining in their region.

ABSTRACT We used two survey methods - citizen science for private land and cameras for protected areas - to map the distribution of dingoes/wild dogs and foxes in NSW. Dingo/wild dog records were mostly confined to the east coast and ranges, with scattered locations in western NSW. This contrasts to the distribution of foxes, in which occupancy was high across most of the state. Data from 200 WildCount camera sites within protected areas also showed marked differences in the distribution of the two canid species. At the scale of the state, dingoes/wild dogs are uncommon, with the greatest concentration being in the north-east of the state, as well as a marked presence in the south-east. Foxes are common and widespread within protected areas, but less common in the north-east of the state. The camera data also indicated that feral cats are widespread within protected areas. The second aim of our study was to examine the WildCount data for behavioural patterns of the canid species. Foxes and dingoes/wild dogs significantly separated within two sub-formations of dry sclerophyll forest based on the Keith (2004) classification of NSW vegetation. From species pairwise interactions at sites, we found only limited evidence for significant interactions, and then only for the co-occurrence of fox-rabbit and fox-swamp wallaby, but no avoidance for any of the predators with each other. Camera records of the time of day of being active showed little effect of the presence of dingoes/wild dogs on the times of activity of foxes, but foxes curtailed the activity times of dingoes/wild dogs. From the analysis of inter-animal times at sites where both canids were recorded, there was little difference between the time since the other species was present. Thus, there was no evidence that dingoes/wild dogs or foxes inhibit the other from being at a site. We concluded that at the landscape level, both vegetation type and land tenure play a role in the interactions between dingoes/wild dogs and foxes. We also concluded that citizen science and cameras are complementary, not alternative techniques, especially as they sample different land tenures, and that cameras in protected areas and occupancy from citizen science have produced higher resolution maps and behaviour patterns than have been previously available. We can confirm that foxes are a ubiquitous threat throughout NSW, whereas dingoes/wild dogs are concentrated into a much smaller area of eastern, particularly north-eastern, NSW.

ABSTRACT The distribution and habitat of two stag beetles, Hoplogonus bornemisszai and H. vanderschoori (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 were investigated. The number of sites of occurrence for H. bornemisszai was increased from 4 to 28 and its extent of occurrence was calculated to be 1,200 ha (12 km 2 ). The number of sites of occurrence for H. vanderschoori was increased from 3 to 22 and its extent of occurrence was 9,510 ha (95 km 2 ). Both species appeared to have patchy distributions and occurred at variable population densities. H. vanderschoori was found predominantly in wetter forest types than H.bornemisszai including rainforest and mixed forest types, but was not found in regenerating wet eucalypt forest. The ranges of the two species did not overlap. However, the range of H. bornemisszai is contiguous with that of another threatened stag beetle, H. simsoni . Together, the ranges of the three species indicate the presence of a biogeographical mosaic. Only 20% of potential habitat for H. bornemisszai , and 30% for H. vanderschoori , occurs in reserves or areas bound by a conservation covenant. Conservation measures are recommended for the maintenance of populations of these species in areas subject to forestry activities.

ABSTRACT The Western Hooded Scaly-foot Pygopus nigriceps is a widespread pygopod concomitant with the sandy arid zone of inland and western Australia. The limited suitable habitat available and inaccessibility of north western New South Wales means that the occurrence of P. nigriceps has long gone undetected in the state. This is despite ecological work and fauna surveys having been conducted within this area. Here I report two records of P. nigriceps from far north western NSW (Sturt National Park and Winnathee Station), which are the only known confirmed records to date. This brings the number of known pygopods in NSW to 12 species.

ABSTRACT The majority of studies into the response of birds to logging in Australian forests has been done in forest-dominated landscapes or relatively large forest blocks, where the surrounding landscape can ameliorate impacts. This is the first study to examine the response of birds to logging of a small, relatively isolated woodland remnant in a landscape dominated by agriculture, with a focus on declining woodland birds. Approximately two thirds of a 120 ha cypress-eucalypt woodland remnant was selectively logged. Eighty bird species in total were recorded 2–3½ years after logging, including 18 recognised as declining woodland birds. Sixty-four species were recorded in the unlogged area and 72 in the logged area. Of the 31 species recorded sufficiently frequently for analysis, 19 showed no statistical difference in occurrence between logged and unlogged areas at the power of the study, nine were more prevalent in unlogged areas and three more prevalent in logged areas. Declining woodland birds comprised 22½% of overall species and 33% of those more prevalent in unlogged areas. Mapping of records enabled the response of a subset of species to be examined in greater detail. Four species illustrate the range of responses by declining woodland birds: Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis was confined to unlogged areas, White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus favoured unlogged areas, Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera favoured proximity to unlogged areas and Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii was widely distributed in both logged and unlogged areas. The likelihood of recovery of local woodland bird populations is discussed in the context of limited landscape connectivity and the recent colonisation of the remnant by the hyper-aggressive Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala . White-browed Babbler and Eastern Yellow Robin are considered to be at high risk of local extinction in the remnant.

ABSTRACT This short essay comes from a presentation at the “Killing for Conservation” symposium organised by RZSNSW late in 2017. It uses the conceit of a literary killing and its fall-out to examine broader issues around the topic of killing for conservation, and conservation more generally. The essay takes its title from an Australian children's classic, The Magic Pudding . Although less fashionable in twenty-first century Australia, and while there can be many arguments about the author's intent in writing the story, and the views he promotes through it (Eipper 1999), it is essentially about the phenomenology of the central actor, Albert, the magic pudding. A brief precis of the story (Lindsay 1918) is as follows: The story is of Bunyip Bluegum the koala, pushed out of home and deciding to see the world, taking only a walking stick. Quite soon he gets hungry and by happenstance meets Bill Barnacle the sailor and Sam Sawnoff the penguin who are eating a pudding – Albert. Albert was a bad-tempered, ill-mannered pudding: but however much you ate, Albert the pudding regenerated at once. By rotating Albert, you could also change flavour, from steak-and-kidney to apple-pie. Since Albert's only pleasure is being eaten, he insists that Bill and Sam invite Bunyip to join them. Glossing over details, Bill explains to Bunyip how he and Sam were once shipwrecked with a ship's cook on an iceberg where the cook created the pudding which they now own. In fact, as Bill and Sam starved on the iceberg, the chef became fatter each day, and one night they discovered the cook eating Albert. Although “shrouded in mystery” they were so enraged they rushed at the corpulent cook, who being round, and the ice slippery, rolled off the iceberg and was killed in the freezing waters – hence the title of this paper. Eventually Bill, Sam and Albert returned to Australia, where they had to constantly defend Albert from being stolen by a range of different pudding thieves. Several (temporarily successful) occurrences of pudding thievery occur, the last unsuccessful once finishing in an affray, leading to the Albert being charged with disorderly conduct and taken to court. In court, the judge and the usher are distracted (playing cards), while trying to adjudicate on this matter. They are also eating the defendant, lubricated by generous swigs of port, and, unsurprisingly, cannot come to any decisions. Further chaos ensues until the pudding owners grab Albert from the dock and make a getaway safely to a quiet place. There they settle down for the rest of their lives, keeping the Pudding carefully fenced in to avoid being thieved or escaping.

ABSTRACT During the 1999 community survey of Australian tree-kangaroos by the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group of the Atherton Tablelands, the well-known naturalist, John Young, submitted a detailed account of watching a tree-kangaroo for half an hour in the Iron Range rainforest of Cape York Peninsula in 1979. At the time this was treated by hard-nosed scientists as “needing confirmation”, particularly as numerous earlier collecting expeditions had worked the area without the hint of a tree-kangaroo. John's report triggered a flurry of interest and has resulted in the collation of numerous “sightings” from the Peninsula and some targeted searches for the animal, but as yet no concrete evidence. So does the animal exist? Tantalising leads, but no hard evidence, have been found for the occurrence of tree-kangaroos in the region. We discuss the possibility that such a creature exists and what might be necessary to find it, and if it does occur what level of evidence is required.