Remote camera monitoring and arboreal trapping methods used to evaluate the outcomes of a reintroduction of red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura) in Western Australia

Abstract

Effective monitoring methods are required to evaluate the success of wildlife reintroduction programs. To improve the threat status of the Vulnerable red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), the Australian Wildlife Conservancy reintroduced the species to a fenced reserve at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary. After trialling a variety of post-release monitoring methods, remote camera monitoring and arboreal trapping with an extensive period of pre-luring provided the most information with which to evaluate the success of the reintroduction. To date, reintroduced red-tailed phascogales have increased in both occupancy and population size following releases which began at Mt Gibson in 2017. Other managers of red-tailed phascogale populations may find the described methods useful, particularly in the context of multi-species reintroductions where trap saturation can reduce capture rates of smaller species, such as phascogales.