Eastern Bettong

7 posts / 0 new
Last post
rawshorty
rawshorty's picture
Eastern Bettong

The Eastern Bettong was declared extinct from mainland Australia nearly 100 years ago, only surviving in Tassie.

The A.C.T. Government re-introduced this species at Mulligans Flat 2 years ago and put collar tags on to keep track off them.

Got some pics today and no collars so i asume they are young from the release?

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Hey shorty, that is great news. You are lucky to have seen them, as we rarely see them in the wild. In Tassie, they are listed as "Moderatley Common in suitable habitat" (habitat which is in decline, I might add). I rescued a Bettong a year or so ago, had sustained some burns to his feet, and was not suitable for release. We were told he (an otherwise healthy young male) would become part of the Captive Breeding Program for the ACT. I am just thrilled that the program appears to be working. Have you, or are you going to report your sighting to the authorities? Sorry to hijack your post, but here is the link to the ACT program. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos!

http://www.environment.act.gov.au/cpr/conservation_and_ecological_communities/eastern_bettong_project

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

rawshorty
rawshorty's picture

Thanks, Dale.

I would assume that your Bettong would have gone to Tidbinbilla as that is where the captive breeding is happening.

Mulligans is described as a wild to wild release but they are contained in the large predator  proof santuary.

Thanks for the link, i did mean to provide that myself but had a brain sliplaugh

Yes i reported it to the on site ranger but did not know about the collars at the time so will be sending my pics to them.

The ranger said the same thing, "You are lucky to have seen them" then when i told him how close i got and showed him the pics he said " You are a very very lucky man indeed "laugh

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks shorty, interestingly enough their gestation is only 21 days, so if they remain safe, numbers should increase rapid, given good conditions and environment. Hopefully the predator proofing will be successful. Again I thank you for this update, something I hold dear to my heart, reintroduction of indigenous species (sounding a bit like Woko now, that's a compliment Woko).  I think it is important to have security populations for any species isolated by island life, but even better if they are going back to an area where they have become extinct. I wish the Bettongs all the best.

Also of great importance is their potential impact on the environment, supporting propagation of fungus spores for example. Bandicoots are another example of where this occurs.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Woko
Woko's picture

Sensational, Shorty, & compliment taken, Dale. We need lots more of this sort of thing to preserve our native animals.

Your mention of Bettongs & Bandicoots enabling propagation of fungi spores is interesting, Dale. I presume this is because they disturb the fungi thus helping to transport spores by wind & on the fur of the animals. 

Predator proof fencing seems critical to the whole process. Let's hope the fencing is strong enough to deter those nasty developers.

rawshorty
rawshorty's picture

An update.

I have found out that they will be re-introducing the extint (in Canberra) Bush-stone Curlew and Southern Brown Bandicoot.at Mulligans as well, pending an assessment on the impact on other wildlife in the area. Since they where all in this area prior to habitat loss i can't see it not happening.

Woko, the spores are spread by the faeces.

With the ever increasing demand for environment protection by the people in Canberra, i don't think the developers have a snow balls chance of getting an ear to listen to them. But of course i can not say it will never happen.

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

Woko
Woko's picture

With your ear to the ground about the developers not having an ear to listen to them the wildlife introductions at Mulligans may well be in good hands, Shorty. Perhaps this is a sign that our culture of environmental destruction is on the turn. Let's hope so.

Thanks for the information about the fungi spores being spread by the animals' faeces. That something I knew nothing about.

 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube