Awards

Southern hairy-nosed wombats are a charismatic native species that have been the focus of a research program by Conservation Ark staff for more than 15 years. The project aims to address the significant gaps in our knowledge and understanding of wombat ecology, reproduction, assisted breeding and genetics. These results have provided information which can be useful for conservation efforts for the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat. With attention now focused on climate change, recent studies are examining long term season breeding patterns, the use of antioxidants as indicators of environmental stress and modelling changes in population distribution and their effects.

Red-tailed phascogales can be difficult to maintain as a long-term, viable captive population. The reproductive failure of males at the end of the first breeding season means they must breed every year to prevent population collapse, but their large litters and extended survivorship in captivity can lead to the population rapidly growing beyond capacity. Phascogales have been successfully bred at Alice Springs Desert Park since 2001 and a collaborative research project commenced in 2004 to learn more about the species biology, and how best to utilise that knowledge in population management.

Conservation Ark has recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the release of yellow-footed rock wallabies at Aroona Sanctuary, in the northern Flinders Ranges. The current population of ~40 individuals descend from an original ten wallabies reintroduced by Zoos SA in 1996. Recently, the 60th individual (a third generation wild born animal) for this site was recorded.

The success of this project can be largely attributed to the many successful partnerships established with the local community and pastoralists, alongside government, industry and conservation organisations. Feral animal control has played an integral part, and the zoo has implemented a multi-pronged attack throughout the ten year period.