Cassowaries, mahogany gliders and Tropical Cyclone Yasi
Cassowaries
Cassowary Photo: DERM
More than twelve months have now passed since Cyclone Yasi damaged large areas of cassowary habitat between Cardwell and Innisfail and at Mission Beach on 2 and 3 February 2011.
The forest is showing significant signs of recovery. Trees now contain significant re-growth, and flowering and fruit development continue to increase, highlighting the resilience of these forests. However, due to the significant damage to the forest caused by the cyclone, the supply of rainforest fruits is still at a low level.
To supplement the cassowaries' diet during this low food period without making them dependent on handouts, DERM is continuing to supply fruit to feed stations but is progressively reducing the number of feed stations where cassowaries are no longer using these stations and where natural fruit levels are adequate.
Feed stations are supplied with fruit approximately every three days, and amounts are varied to ensure the birds keep up their natural foraging. Cassowary scats (droppings), collected as part of monitoring and research, increasingly show native fruits are dominating the cassowaries' diet.
At 14 April 2012, DERM had 55 active feed stations from the Cardwell Range north to Flying Fish Point. At the peak of the program 105 feed stations were operating.
More than 167,000 kg of fruit has been distributed, averaging almost 3000 kg per week. In the early phase of the program, retailers Coles, Woolworths and Bi-Lo donated fruit. However, the need outgrew their ability to supply. Volunteers have now given more than 5350 hours to cut up the fruit and the work load has been so significant that a fruit cutting machine has been used to help out.
Twenty motion sensing cameras monitored the feed stations and have revealed very useful information about the use of the feed stations and numbers of birds in the areas. Rangers have even been able to capture footage of adults feeding their chicks.
Watch the footage from one of the feeding stations.
Orphaned chicks and injured birds are being cared for at a DERM facility at Mission Beach.
Conservation organisation Rainforest Rescue has donated $10,000 to the feeding program.
The community is helping the DERM Cassowary Response Team's coordinated response. In addition to the volunteers' efforts, 55 private landholders have feeding stations on their properties, with permission from DERM. Residents are reporting cassowary sightings so birds can be better managed in the wild and so DERM can alert motorists.
Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, you are reminded not to feed these birds, for your own safety. Cassowaries that come to expect food from humans can become aggressive and dangerous.
Please drive carefully in cassowary habitat to avoid hitting birds as they cross roads through rainforest.
To report a cassowary sighting, please email cassowary.sighting@derm.qld.gov.au or to report a sick, injured or orphaned cassowary, call the department.
Mahogany glider
Mahogany glider in den box Photo: D Dickson
Setting up mahogany glider feed stations Photo: David Flett
Mahogany glider Photo: DERM
Cyclone Yasi caused severe damage to essential mahogany glider habitat in early February 2011. The majority of the remaining mahogany glider habitat between Tully and Ingham sustained damage. The worst affected areas were narrow wildlife corridors west of the Bruce Highway, between Meunga Creek and Euramo.
The open forest that is home to mahogany gliders has shown significant recovery. Trees now contain re-growth, and flowering and fruit development continues to increase restoring some of the key sources of food for this endangered species.
DERM’s disaster response strategy for the mahogany gliders included:
- Installing supplementary feed stations on freehold property, DERM managed areas and strategic wildlife corridors in partnership with Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Girringun Rangers, the community and the RSPCA.
- Installation of den boxes to supplement the lost tree hollows
- Students from James Cook University and World Learning - SIT Abroad assisting DERM with research and monitoring activities associated with the impacts of Cyclone Yasi on the species and its habitat.
- Developing and implementing a long-term monitoring program to gain a better understanding of the Mahogany Glider population.
Four mahogany gliders were being tracked by the University of Queensland in the Mullers Creek area, and two of them have been located following TC Yasi. One of the study's radio collared gliders, 'Bono', was observed east of the QR railway line, indicating that at least on one observed occasion this mahogany glider has crossed all three gaps (Powerlink easement, the Bruce Highway and the QR railway) since TC Yasi passed.
In early August 2011, two pouch young mahogany gliders were found by DERM officers during an inspection of the health of a den pair at a monitoring site just north of Cardwell. While officers are still unsure how this species will manage through this recovery period, the early signs are promising.
DERM is continuing to work with the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, and Girringun aboriginal rangers to monitor the forest recovery and establish monitoring sites for mahogany gliders. DERM is also providing support to a community project in Cardwell to help re-establish a mahogany glider corridor at the golf course and will work with local Natural Resource Management Group Terrain NRM to improve the long term integrity of mahogany glider corridors on private lands.
How you can help?
Mahogany gliders have demonstrated a high level of resilience to the significant impact of TC Yasi. However, while the mahogany glider population levels remain low and forest recovery continues, DERM will continue to work with the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Girringun Rangers, RSPCA and the Kennedy, Cardwell and Ingham communities.
Call the department to report sightings or email info@derm.qld.gov.au with 'glider' in the subject line. If you would like to assist with mahogany glider recovery efforts, please visit the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland web site and read the latest mahogany glider news.
Last updated 15 May 2012