Objectives
Waterfall
Springs' objective is to put in place world's best practice
captive breeding facilities in support of the Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby
species. We will facilitate and conduct ongoing managed breeding
programmes aimed at generating sufficient new animal numbers
for eventual reintroduction into the wild.
Waterfall
Springs will both work with and unite with State Forests, relevant
Government Departments and community groups to first reintroduce
our captive bred Parma Wallabies into the adjoining McPherson
State Forest. Provided the project proves successful and sustainable,
we will then proceed with the reintroduction of the Brush Tailed
Rock Wallaby in the same area.
At Waterfall
Springs, our objective is to provide responsible community education
relevant to the plight of endangered species. We focus on the
need for wild habitat preservation as the primary means of ensuring
the long-term survival of our vitally important native species,
as well as managed breeding programmes and habitat regeneration
initiatives for currently endangered species.
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Newsletter
On behalf of the Waterfall Springs BTRW Team
I am
pleased to make this second quarterly report to keep you updated
on our progress and other relevant issues
In July
2003, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby was finally listed by the
NSW Scientific Committee, as an endangered species in N.S.W.
This official recognition of the BTRW's precarious position
will hopefully add even more momentum to the challenge of conserving
the species.
Update
from the ground
Work has been continuing on the construction of the BTRW enclosures
at waterfall springs. Additional rock mounds have been added
to the existing enclosure, for which we would like to express
enormous gratitude to Hymix quarries for providing and loading
the rock free of charge. Work has also commenced on a new enclosure
intended to house BTRW imported from Kawau Island. For this
we would like to thank Jan and Hassene from Steel Frame Fencing,
for their donation of greatly needed recycled materials. Thanks
also to our team member Jeremy Gittens for his practical assistance
in obtaining these materials.
Project
News
Last month Waterfall Springs received an Envirofund(Natural
Heritage Trust) grant for $14,000 for native grass propagation
and education. The grant will be used in part to run trials
of native grasses within the BTRW enclosures to establish the
dietary preferences of the animals. We consider this work will
be a progressive step towards better captive breeding facilities,
eventually affording the animals a healthier more natural diet
than is often available within such facilities. There are also
the broader environmental benefits of replacing exotics with
natives plants which, as a centre for conservation, Waterfall
Springs is keen to embrace.
Waterfall
Springs was also successful in its application for funding from
Australian Geographic. Thanks to Alissa Johnson for presenting
this opportunity, and to Jim Reside for his letters of support.
This grant is intended to assist with the import of Kawau Island
BTRW. The import is still awaiting approval from various bodies
and Waterfall Springs, whilst keen to get the project underway
(especially given the intended extermination of the animals
of they remain on Kawau), wishes to do so only with the support
of the governing authorities and experts in the field.
Applications
for threatened Species Network Funding were submitted early
in June, for which we eagerly await the outcome. Thank you to
Pam Mourant and Ruth Moncrieff for their valuable assistance
in this task.
As the Representative
of Waterfall Springs Lloyd Oldfield attended The Victorian BTRW
Recovery Team Meeting held in Adelaide in June and gave a presentation
on WS, prepared by our co-ordinator Stephen Bladwell. We are
proud to pronounce that at the conclusion of this meeting the
Victorian Recovery Team formally invited Waterfall Springs to
join the team as a Surrogate breeding facility.
To gain
necessary exposure to facilitate the BTRW project, Waterfall
Springs has enlisted the help of XABC Productions. A corporate
Sponsor Presentation Video is in production and XABC have taken
footage from Taronga Zoo for an intended documentary on Kawau
Repatriation. Thanks both to Bruce and Alissa of XABC who have
given much time and expert advice in a voluntary capacity, and
also to Taronga Zoo for their co-operation and support.
As we move
forward with this project and gain the support of various sponsors,
legal advice has been sought on how to protect the interests
of sponsors and Waterfall Springs Conservation Association Inc.
on projects conducted at WS. We value tremendously all the support
we have so far received and hope to rally further support from
individuals and corporate sponsors to enable us to further our
efforts in the months to come.
Resources
Required
Waterfall Springs is currently in need of the following resources.
Any suggestions or offers would be gratefully received;
· At least 250 ton rock and /or fill to complete the
second BTRW enclosure
· A 'truck load' of seconds or broken concrete culverts
for constructing artificial caves
Volunteers;
· Clerical Assistant/s
· Active Team Members who are able to get to WS and assist
with on ground work on a regular basis. The nature of this work
will be variable depending on project requirements and individual
experience/preference
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and I
again hope you have found it interesting and informative, As
always any comments/feedback will be gratefully received.
Best Regards,
WS BTRW Team
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