Comparing the population ecology of eastern barred bandicoot island introductions

Australia’s native mammals – especially those in the critical-weight-range – and their important ecosystem functions have been limited by the impacts of invasive predators. Predator-free ‘safe havens’, such as some islands and fenced sanctuaries, have immense conservation value, but can also be challenging to maintain and are relatively small in their geographic extent. Hence, we also need to understand the ability for native wildlife to persist in the presence of invasive predators. In my study, through camera- and live-trapping, I examined the population ecology and behaviour of an endangered species – the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) – on three islands where they have been recently introduced as part of conservation translocations – Churchill Island (foxes and cats absent) and Phillip and French Islands (foxes absent, cats present), Victoria. I aimed to assess the influence of cat presence on bandicoot success of introduction, population density and growth, and temporal activity. I found that eastern barred bandicoots were able to coexist with feral cats under the conditions of this study and that temporal avoidance behaviours may have aided them in doing so. My findings help to inform and refine conservation actions over larger areas and higher diversities of habitats by improving understanding of wildlife translocations in the presence of feral cats.