The ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) is Australia’s largest echolocating bat and one of its most distinctive. Ghost bats are under threat across northern Australia owing to activities such as mining and infrastructure development that destroys their roosts, vegetation clearing and grazing that diminishes their food resources, and the invasion of poisonous cane toads. This paper outlines research priorities for ghost bats in the Pilbara region, developed through a workshop involving scientists and representatives from the mining industry and government agencies. Photograph by Bruce Thomson.

We describe winter temperature variation in nest boxes occupied by brush-tailed phascogales and sugar gliders when overnight temperatures dropped to <5°C. Phascogale mothers returned often during the night, keeping nest and nestlings warm. Gliders returned infrequently to the nest, so some nests tracked ambient to <0°C.

Feral cats are a major threat to many Australian native fauna, with camera traps increasingly being used to individually identify these pests to evaluate management actions. We compared feral cat individual identification rates of two observers with extremes of experience from data collected in the Western Division of New South Wales. From the feral cat images collected, we identified 72 individuals, with the experienced observer identifying more individual feral cat events compared with the lay observer.

Habitat fragmentation is a known major threat to arboreal marsupials, including the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps). This study uses spatial data and genome-wide SNPs to examine the population genetic structure of the sugar glider in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area. Photograph by Monica Knipler.

Wildlife are impacted by vehicle collisions, including wombats. Based on reports submitted by citizen scientists of wombats killed by vehicles and entered into the WomSAT database we identified wombat roadkill hotspots. Wombats were most often observed to be killed during winter on dual carriageways, and not be suffering from sarcoptic mange. Further research is required to develop mitigation strategies for the roadkill hotspots identified. Photograph by Julie Old.

Australian mammals have severely declined since European settlement. We assessed common brushtail possum density on a Murray River floodplain over 20 years and related this to fractional cover. Possums declined to undetectable levels in 2018 and 2019 and were negatively associated with bare ground. Habitat modification, caused in part by kangaroo overgrazing, is suggested as a driver of possum decline.

The short-eared possum has been poorly studied with only one historical population density estimate. This study aimed to assess how short-eared possum population density varies across three distinct habitat types, and we demonstrated that the species occurs at highest density in temperate rainforest. We quantify the habitat use of the short-eared possum and provide a current density estimate to enable population monitoring within the Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia. Photograph by Jacob Crisp.

A population of White-footed Dunnarts (Sminthopsis leucopus) occurs isolated in Queensland’s Wet Tropics. We conducted targeted surveys and obtained the first reported capture of the species in Queensland in 18 years. We assessed morphology, genetic divergence, and conservation status and describe the Wet Tropics White-footed Dunnart as a new subspecies of Sminthopsis leucopus. Photograph by Gary Cranitch.

A long-term perspective on bat populations is lacking in most ecosystems. We describe fluctuations in attributes of five bat species that are rarely captured/recaptured. A degree of site fidelity was recorded for all species, even those where trap success was low. Maximum longevity varied from at least 5 to 7 years. Body condition and mass were mostly stable over the study. The extent of any seasonal or nomadic movements remains largely unknown.

Microchip-reading devices can be used to collect data on animal movements, behaviour and survival. We combined the use of microchip-reading antennas with more traditional trapping methods to monitor the survival of greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) after their reintroduction to a fenced exclosure in remote south-west Queensland. Microchip-reading antennas greatly improved the chances of detecting both captive- and wild-born bilbies, which are typically considered a ‘trap-shy’ species. These antennas are relatively inexpensive with a wide range of potential applications in wildlife management and conservation. Photograph by Cassandra Arkinstall/Save the Bilby Fund.

This paper aims to determine the most effective fauna rope crossing type and the benefits of fauna fencing, using images from cameras, as well as recorded roadkill and koala hits. Fauna movements were statistically similar on cage rope crossings and rope ladders. Roadkill rates of all species declined by 84% at sites with underpasses and fencing compared to 93% at sites without, but only 39% at control sites. This may be due to the canopy-bridges or the addition of complementary infrastructure, such as signage, pavement stencilling and driver awareness.

Pest managers need data on the ranging behaviour of wild rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in eastern Australia to improve planning as published information is scarce. We found that rusa deer in peri-urban environments north of Brisbane had relatively small annual and seasonal home ranges and displayed strong seasonal site fidelity. This information will assist local land managers determine the scale at which to undertake control to reduce impacts from this pest species. Co‐author (M. Brennan) with collared rusa deer prior to release. Photograph credit: M. Amos.

We tested GPS telemetry on feral pigs in New Caledonia. Both collar and an innovative backpack with Iridium satellite data transmission achieved high success rates of locations. The backpack harness proved to be a reliable alternative to collars.