Julia Creek Dunnart, Sminthopsis douglasi
Problem:
In 1990 the Julia
Creek Dunnart was known from only four museums specimens. At that time it was
impossible to tell if the species was extinct or just ‘hiding' in small areas
around north-western Queensland.
Background Information:
The Julia Creek
Dunnart is a species of small, carnivorous marsupials on the edge of
extinction. In 1996, the accidental finding of a Julia Creek Dunnart in the
stomach of a feral cat led to the discovery of live dunnarts in four locations.
Before feral cats were eliminated from this area, the cats ate at least 17 Julia
Creek Dunnarts, as well as other native mammals.
Research:
Dr Pat Woolley of La
Trobe University, Melbourne, started searching for the dunnarts in 1991, and
caught the first live animals in 1992. By 1997 she had found skeletal remains
of dunnarts from 31 locations, all on the Mitchell Grass Plains around Julia
Creek and Richmond. Live animals, however, have been found recently in Bladensburg
National Park near Hughenden. Feral cats have been identified as the most
immediate threat to the dunnarts' survival.
Solution:
Monitor the only known
populations of dunnarts. Control feral cats. Assess the impact of stock on grass
cover and compaction of the soil. Continue survey work.
The next species is the Greater Bilby