21 June 2009

Environment Minister Donna Faragher today announced $600,000 in State Government funding to create a 400ha predator-free enclosure for the woylie in the South-West and for urgent conservation actions at Perth Zoo, to ensure the survival of the critically- endangered species.

Mrs Faragher said the new enclosure of prime woylie habitat would be built in the Perup Nature Reserve near Manjimup at a cost of $500,000 and would support a population of about 500 woylies that would be monitored and managed as a permanent secure population.

The project is part of the Government’s $3.5million allocation for six Natural Resource Management projects in line with its commitment to strong management of Western Australia’s natural resources.

“The aim is to establish a secure emergency colony for the woylie,” the Minister said.

“The enclosure will not only protect the woylies from feral predators but will also enable scientists to conduct vital research on the health of woylies.”

Mrs Faragher said $100,000 would be used to support the further recovery of woylies, including an investigation into potential wildlife health issues related to the species’ decline and establishing a woylie captive breeding program at Perth Zoo.

“The captive breeding program is expected to involve a dedicated keeper at the zoo and woylies that remain in wild populations for breeding,” she said.

“Perth Zoo’s wildlife veterinary expertise is vital in understanding the conservation needs of the woylie and I am looking forward to their ongoing contribution to these critical recovery actions.”

The Minister said the woylie had bounced back from near extinction once before.

“Once spread across southern Australia, the woylie was found in just three areas in South-West Western Australia by the 1970s,” she said.

“Thanks to fox control, a breeding program and the establishment of new populations, the woylie was the first Australian vertebrate to be removed from State and Federal endangered species lists in 1996, as a result of recovery actions.

“However, since 2001, woylie populations have declined dramatically, with some populations shrinking by 97 per cent. 

“The Department of Environment and Conservation has been investigating these declines in a major collaborative research program, but has been unable to isolate the specific cause or causes.”

In 2000, there were about 20,000 woylies in the Upper Warren region, and there are now estimated to be less than 1,000.

Mrs Faragher said maintaining WA’s biodiversity was an important part of responsible natural resource management.

“The woylie has made a spectacular recovery once before and we are taking decisive action now to give it a chance to do so once again,” she said.

Minister's office - 9213 7250