Objectives

The objectives of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Program are to underpin decisions and actions taken to conserve or manage a species with sound scientific knowledge. This underpinning research includes adding to the body of scientific knowledge concerning the reproductive biology, natural behaviours, ecology and threatening processes leading to a greater understanding of and/or improved conservation of, the earth’s biodiversity.

Key areas of interest in this program include the captive breeding for release of threatened WA fauna with the associated research into the biology, behaviour and ecology of these species.

Background

Perth Zoo has for many years had a high level of participation in captive breeding for release in conjunction with WA Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and research programs associated with threatened Western Australian species. For example Western Swamp Tortoise, Lancelin Island Skink, Chuditch, Shark Bay Mouse, Numbat, Dibbler and Central Rock Rat.

These programs not only provide founder animals for new populations in the wild but also provide the opportunity to study these often little-known animals in more depth. For example Dr Harriet Mills (UWA) and Senior Perth Zoo Keeper Cathy Lambert studied the growth and development of the Dibbler while an Honours student (Kristen Wolfe) studied the reproductive behaviour of the same species.

These studies not only advanced our knowledge of the species but also resulted in improved husbandry and breeding management. For example Cathy and Kristen noted that female Dibblers would actively reject males smaller than themselves but accept another male, even if it was smaller than them, as long as it was larger than the first male they met with. So when planning pairings each breeding season each female is offered a smaller male first and then the larger male that we wish her to mate with. This increases the chances of the right mate being accepted by the female and increases the breeding success of the colony and hence the number of animals available for release in the wild.

Perth Zoo also has a good background in research conducted on animals living in the grounds of the Zoo. For example students in the past have examined different aspects of the biology and behaviour of our resident Brushtail Possum population. One student used mark release recapture methods to determine that we have approximately 300 possums living in the Zoo grounds.  

Another recent collaboration with staff and students from Curtin University of Technology has been an ARC Linkage project investigating the herbivory of macropods in disturbed land.

Program Staff

Program Leader 

Dr Helen Robertson
Acting Director AHS&R, Perth Zoo 

Other Perth Zoo staff

Mr Colin Hyde
Director Life Sciences, Perth Zoo

Dr Cree Monaghan
Director AHS&R, Perth Zoo

Simone Vitali
Senior Veterinarian, Perth Zoo

Mr John Lemon
Supervisor Australian Fauna, Perth Zoo

Mr Leif Cocks
Curator Exotic Mammals, Perth Zoo

Curator Horticulture

Outside collaborators

Mr Keith Morris
DEC

Dr Peter Mawson
DEC

Dr Tony Friend
DEC

Dr Lyndon Mutter
DEC

Dr Ric Howe
Western Australian Museum

Dr Paul Doughty
Western Australian Museum

Dr Christine Cooper
Curtin University

Mr Gary Fry
Alice Springs Desert Park

Current Strategies

1. Promote and develop scientific studies of the general and reproductive biology of threatened Australian and Exotic species, or their close relatives (analogue species).

2. Breed threatened species for release into the wild in conjunction with CALM and the recovery team goals for each species.

3. Carry out and/or promote ex-situ scientific investigations that promote the conservation of biodiversity.

4. Carry out and/or promote in-situ scientific investigations that promote the conservation of biodiversity.

5. Develop and promote research studies into threatened WA invertebrates and aquatic animals.

6. Develop and promote research studies into threatened WA frog species.

Proposed New Activities  

(a) Tracking of Black Cockatoos rehabilitated at Perth Zoo, to assess longevity post-rehabilitation.

(b) Tasmanian Devil Captive Breeding Program

Tasmanian Devils are becoming increasingly threatened in the wild from Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Captive breeding and management is required to maintain an insurance population in captivity. Perth Zoo has the space available at the Byford property to develop and maintain a large captive group.

(c) Northern Quoll Captive Breeding Program

Northern Quolls are increasingly threatened from the introduced Cane Toad which kill any Quolls that attempt to eat them. Northern Quolls are a difficult species to manage in captivity due to their boom bust breeding cycle and the fact that males die after mating or become non-fertile after one year. To overcome this and manage an insurance population a large number of animals are required to be kept at any one time.

(d) WA Threatened Frog Species Breeding Program

Frog species in WA are threatened by the Chytrid fungus and also the invasion of Cane Toads to our north. This proposed program would investigate the captive husbandry and captive breeding of threatened and key frog species in WA with a view to maintaining insurance populations of these species and also providing animals for further reproductive study through the Reproductive Biology Program.

(taken from p26 of the Perth Zoo Research Business Plan)