Mammals
Numbat
(Myrmecobius fasciatus )
Western Australia's mammal emblem and one of only two diurnal marsupials, the Numbat is the only Australian mammal to feed exclusively on termites. Once considered Endangered, the Numbat has been reclassified to Vulnerable as a result of the establishment of several populations by DEC.
Perth Zoo has been breeding Numbats for release into the wild since 1987. By early 2008, 143 Numbats had been provided by the Zoo for release into protected habitat. Over this time, research has been carried out into the physiological specialisations, visual capabilities and growth and development of the young by university students and staff members. A predator awareness training program has also been developed to enhance the chances of survival of young released into the wild.
Check out the fact sheet!
Other sources:
http://www.naturebase.net/content/view/302/306/
Dibbler
(Parantechinus apicalis)
This small carnivorous marsupial is found on two islands off the coast of Jurien Bay (Island Dibblers) and on the south coast of Western Australia within the Fitzgerald River National Park (Mainland Dibblers). It once had a much wider distribution.
Perth Zoo-bred Dibblers were first used to establish a new population on Escape Island in Jurien Bay. The focus then changed to breeding dibblers from Fitzgerald River National Park for release on the mainland. By early 2007, 418 Dibblers had been provided by the Zoo for release into protected habitat.
The captive population has also allowed the successful study of the many aspects of the Dibbler's reproductive biology, behaviour and genetics by research students and staff at Perth Zoo.
Check out the fact sheet!
Other sources:
www.calm.wa.gov.au/plants_animals/pdf_files/sp_dibbler.pdf
Chuditch
(Dasyurus geoffroi)
The Chuditch, or Western Quoll, is one of four quoll species in Australia and is the largest marsupial predator in Western Australia. At the time of European settlement, Chuditch occurred in approximately 70% of the continent. By the late 1980s they had become Endangered, with less than 6,000 remaining in the south-west of Western Australia.
Perth Zoo has bred more than 300 Chuditch for release in the last decade. Since the breeding program began, Chuditch have been downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable. This breeding program is now completed.
Over the life of the breeding program, a number of valuable research projects involving Chuditch have taken place, including elucidation of the reproductive cycle, and growth and morphometrics of pouch young. In 1998, a UWA Honours student successfully monitored the reproductive hormones of female Chuditch by analysis of their faeces. This technique had not previously been achieved in a female marsupial.
Check out the fact sheet!
Shark Bay Mouse
(Pseudomys fieldi)
Also known as Djoongari.
Prior to 1993, the only known population of Djoongari was on Bernier Island in the north-west of Western Australia, adjacent to the Shark Bay region and was considered to be one of Australia's most geographically restricted animals.
Over 300 Djoongari have been bred for DEC and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to release to sites on the mainland and on islands in the north-west of Western Australia. This breeding program is now completed.
Other sources:
www.australianwildlife.org/faureisland.asp