Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain tim ....Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain times is critical for sustaining the Australian crocodile population, whilst ensuring public safety. This long term study will utilise the latest advancement in underwater acoustic technology to monitor the behavioural and physiological strategies used by estuarine crocodiles in occupying critical habitats, providing vital information for resource managers and policy makers. Read moreRead less
Using cane toads to eradicate cane toads. This project aims to develop effective ways to reduce the devastating ecological impact of cane toads, by exploiting the cannibalistic behaviour of tadpoles. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of invasion biology and amphibian development utilising recent discoveries about cannibalism. Expected outcomes of this project include a powerful new method to reduce or eliminate recruitment of juvenile toads from natural waterbodies. Bene ....Using cane toads to eradicate cane toads. This project aims to develop effective ways to reduce the devastating ecological impact of cane toads, by exploiting the cannibalistic behaviour of tadpoles. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of invasion biology and amphibian development utilising recent discoveries about cannibalism. Expected outcomes of this project include a powerful new method to reduce or eliminate recruitment of juvenile toads from natural waterbodies. Benefits of this project include conservation of native wildlife that are threatened by the cane toad invasion across much of tropical and subtropical Australia.Read moreRead less
Conservation genetics of the threatened Malleefowl. This project will provide national benefit at four levels. First, our comprehensive genetic analysis will provide our industry partners with vital information for sustainable management of the Malleefowl. The research findings will also enrich educational and ecotourism activities in rural Australia. The publication and popular dissemination of our findings will enhance Australia's international profile as a leader in conservation genetics r ....Conservation genetics of the threatened Malleefowl. This project will provide national benefit at four levels. First, our comprehensive genetic analysis will provide our industry partners with vital information for sustainable management of the Malleefowl. The research findings will also enrich educational and ecotourism activities in rural Australia. The publication and popular dissemination of our findings will enhance Australia's international profile as a leader in conservation genetics research. Finally, our research will promote undergraduate and postgraduate education by providing cutting-edge training and research opportunities for young scientists.Read moreRead less
Working with wind energy and forestry for effective eagle conservation. This project aims to reduce the impacts of wind turbines and disturbance from forestry activity on the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. It will do this by understanding the flight behaviour, movements and mortality of eagles, and the behavioural responses of breeding birds to forestry-related disturbance. The project will build new knowledge and institutional partnerships that will be used to minimise impacts on the Tasmanian e ....Working with wind energy and forestry for effective eagle conservation. This project aims to reduce the impacts of wind turbines and disturbance from forestry activity on the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. It will do this by understanding the flight behaviour, movements and mortality of eagles, and the behavioural responses of breeding birds to forestry-related disturbance. The project will build new knowledge and institutional partnerships that will be used to minimise impacts on the Tasmanian eagle population, and develop models for use in planning. This will safeguard Australia's largest eagle and improve the sustainability of energy and forest industries. This research will also provide a model for the resolution of similar problems elsewhere in the world.Read moreRead less
Dining with Dasyurids: Using Nutritional Geometry to Improve Diets for Captive Breeding Programs. Captive breeding programs are an important part of conservation and reintroduction plans for endangered Northern quolls and Tasmanian devils. This project aims to initiate new collaboration between the Charles Perkins Centre and Taronga Conservation Society to improve diets for captive breeding of marsupial carnivores using the framework of nutritional geometry. Specifically, the project aims to: qu ....Dining with Dasyurids: Using Nutritional Geometry to Improve Diets for Captive Breeding Programs. Captive breeding programs are an important part of conservation and reintroduction plans for endangered Northern quolls and Tasmanian devils. This project aims to initiate new collaboration between the Charles Perkins Centre and Taronga Conservation Society to improve diets for captive breeding of marsupial carnivores using the framework of nutritional geometry. Specifically, the project aims to: quantify the macronutrient (carbohydrate, lipid and protein) targets and regulatory behaviour of marsupial carnivores; test explanations for why animals are prone to excess weight gain in captivity; and quantify changes in nutrient targets with reproduction. These results aims to be applied by Taronga to improve captive-diets for marsupial carnivore breeding programs.Read moreRead less
Conservation ecology of the black cod (Epinephelus daemelii). Black cod is a large, reef fish species that was once common and commercially important in NSW. Today, Black Cod is listed as vulnerable, and we know little more of their biology than when they were first protected in 1983. This project will significantly increase the effectiveness of Black cod management by determining their distribution, abundance, stock structure, fecundity, spawning behaviour and recruitment. This will allow imple ....Conservation ecology of the black cod (Epinephelus daemelii). Black cod is a large, reef fish species that was once common and commercially important in NSW. Today, Black Cod is listed as vulnerable, and we know little more of their biology than when they were first protected in 1983. This project will significantly increase the effectiveness of Black cod management by determining their distribution, abundance, stock structure, fecundity, spawning behaviour and recruitment. This will allow implementation of an effective recovery plan and a review of the status of Black Cod internationally and by the Federal Government. Collaboration with NSW Fisheries' Grey Nurse Shark program will allow assessment of the importance of Grey Nurse critical habitat areas in maintaining Black Cod populations.Read moreRead less
Boxing clever: artificial nest boxes as a conservation and research tool. Saving endangered species increasingly requires proactive management. This project presents an innovative and practical solution to save an iconic Australian species, while also providing the scientific foundation for the development of a novel Australian-based commercial product that will be used to protect and restore Australian biodiversity.
An integrated examination of the drivers of movements of large filter feeding organisms of high ecotourism value: a case study. This aim is to define key drivers behind movements of large filter-feeding organisms, using the manta ray as a model system. As dive eco-tourism often depends on the presence of such charismatic filter-feeding animals, an understanding of why animals occupy particular sites at particular times is important, especially in the face of climate change.