Threatened mammals: conserving populations and understanding why they decline
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CSIRO research on endangered animals has contributed significantly to Australia's biodiversity conservation effort.
Research to understand extinction processes and re-construct threatened native mammal communities in the Western Australian wheatbelt and Shark Bay region represents an example of this work and is a recognised research achievement for CSIRO.
The work included management of introduced predators, habitat preservation in altered landscapes, investigating reasons for population decline and techniques for re-establishment.
Heirisson Prong project
The Heirisson Prong project was originally developed by CSIRO researchers and local communities working together with a mining company near 'Useless Loop' on Heirisson Prong in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia.
The focus of this project was to investigate effective reintroduction techniques using three native mammals - the burrowing bettong, the western barred bandicoot and the greater stick-nest rat on Heirisson Prong.
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burrowing bettong (juvenile)
western barred bandicoot
greater stick-nest rat |
Although this work is no longer being conducted by CSIRO, it is being continued by the local community and the mining company with continuing input from Dr Jeff Short. Further enquiries on this project can be made with Dr Short at Wildlife Research and Management.
Earthwatch Volunteers
CSIRO ran an Earthwatch program from March 1995 to October 2002. 173 volunteers from 9 different countries assisted researchers carry out monitoring of endangered animals populations and collect data necessary for the continued success of the project.
More details on the activities and outcomes of this Earthwatch field program are found in the Earthwatch Final Report - 2002  (pdf 720 Kb).
CSIRO is grateful to all the volunteers whose help contributed significantly to the success of the Heirisson Prong project.
Project Award
The Useless Loop Community Biosphere Project Group (ULCBPG), in partnership with CSIRO, Shark Bay Salt Joint Venture (SBSJV) and Earthwatch Institute, was awarded the 2001 Gold Banksia Award and 2001 Banksia Environmental Award for Community Group Achievement.
The Banksia Environmental Foundation is an organisation that supports and recognises groups in the community who make a positive contribution to addressing environmental improvement.
The Gold Banksia Award is regarded as Australia’s highest environmental honour. This is the most prestigious of the Banksia Awards presented each year and is given to “the individual or organisation who has made the contribution most worthy of extra recognition and acknowledgement”.
Links
More information
For more information contact the team at Wildlife Research and Management.
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Research 
