Improved technique for capturing the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) using burrow cage traps
H. M. McGregor A C and K. E. Moseby BA Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, PMB 925, Derby, WA 6728, Australia.
B School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5641, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: hugh.mcgregor@australianwildlife.org
Australian Mammalogy 36(2) 259-260 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM14011
Submitted: 7 May 2014 Accepted: 4 August 2014 Published: 4 September 2014
Abstract
The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is generally trap shy and uninterested in baits, therefore difficult to capture. In order to capture an entire population of bilbies in the Arid Recovery Reserve of central South Australia, we developed an improved method of using burrow cage traps. Traps were set to engulf the entrance of the burrow and the base was camouflaged with sand. We obtained a very high capture rate (6% overall, and 73% for confirmed burrows). Assuming that occupied burrows can be detected, this method should improve capture rates for this endangered and cryptic species.
References
Burbidge, A. A., and McKenzie, N. L. (1989). Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia’s vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications. Biological Conservation 50, 143–198.| Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia’s vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson, C. N. (2006). ‘Australia’s mammal extinctions: A 50 000 year history.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.)
Johnson, K. A. (2008). Bilby. In ‘The Mammals of Australia’. 3rd edn. (Eds S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan.) pp. 191–193. (Reed New Holland: Sydney.)
Lavery, H. J., and Kirkpatrick, T. H. (1997). Field management of the bilby Macrotis lagotis in an area of south-western Queensland. Biological Conservation 79, 271–281.
| Field management of the bilby Macrotis lagotis in an area of south-western Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moseby, K. E., and O’Donnell, E. (2003). Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols. Wildlife Research 30, 15–27.
| Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Southgate, R. (1990). Distribution and abundance of the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotus Reid (Marsupialia: Peramelidae). In ‘Bandicoots and Bilbies’. (Eds J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper.) pp. 293–302. (Surrey Beatty and Sons: Sydney.)
Southgate, R., McRae, P., and Atherton, R. (1995). Trapping techniques and a pen design for the greater bilby Macrotis lagotis. Australian Mammalogy 18, 101–104.
