The remarkable resurgence of endangered animal populations on Kangaroo Island can be attributed to a groundbreaking initiative involving a 380-hectare safe zone, free from predators, established by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. This sanctuary, known as the Western River Refuge, has been secured with a cat-proof fence for five years, creating a haven for vulnerable species.
Pat Hodgens, the principal ecologist at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, expressed his astonishment at the success of this project, particularly in terms of how well the vulnerable species are thriving within the refuge. He noted that populations of the Kangaroo Island dunnart, a small marsupial, have seen an impressive increase of between 90 to 100 percent since the enclosure was completed. While Mr. Hodgens could not provide precise numbers prior to the devastating bushfires, he has previously mentioned that surveying the dunnart is challenging due to its diminutive size and timid nature. "The dunnart has fared a lot better than I think many anticipated, including myself six years ago," he remarked.
Interestingly, while there are still dunnarts living outside the fence in significant numbers, the activity levels of these creatures within the sanctuary have shown a consistently higher trend compared to their counterparts beyond the enclosure.
In addition to the dunnarts, experts were pleasantly surprised to witness the return of birds like the western whipbird after the catastrophic fires. Mr. Hodgens highlighted that the population of this bird also surged by around 100 percent. "Both the western whipbird and the Bassian thrush are heavily preyed upon by feral cats. Initially, we did not have any of these birds residing within the predator-free area when the fence was constructed, but they have successfully returned."
Initially designed as a research project, the Western River Refuge transformed into a critical rescue operation following the bushfires. Mr. Hodgens explained, "We anticipated the impact to be significant, so we acted swiftly to conduct surveys in the immediate aftermath of the fire. With over 90 percent of the vulnerable species' habitat on Kangaroo Island devastated, native wildlife found itself in a perilous situation. We noticed a substantial movement of feral cats across the scarred landscape, preying upon any surviving wildlife in unburned patches."
Recognizing the difficulty of completely eradicating feral cats from the island, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy opted instead to construct the cat-proof fence around a known dunnart population while simultaneously removing feral cats during the fence's installation. Mr. Hodgens emphasized that this strategic choice has proven crucial for the survival of many native animals that fall victim to predation.
Mark Koolmatrie, an elder of the Ngarrindjeri people who conducts cultural tours on Kangaroo Island, shared his enthusiasm about witnessing the strong return of native species. "It is essential for these species to come back because they are integral to our land," he stated. He believes that the focus should shift towards solutions rather than remaining fixated on problems. For Mr. Koolmatrie, the restoration of the island involves more than just enhancing biodiversity; it is a responsibility that belongs to the Ngarrindjeri people and all residents of Kangaroo Island.
"As the original custodians, we feel it is vital for everyone to collaborate with the Ngarrindjeri," he emphasized. "Our goal is to restore the land while working alongside the islanders. We’ve been engaged in the stewardship and improvement of this land for over two centuries."
Mr. Koolmatrie also advocated for the incorporation of traditional land management practices into contemporary approaches through collaboration, stating that this would ensure the environment recovers effectively. "This is merely the beginning, not the conclusion," he concluded.
