Holidaymakers in the Otways have unknowingly collected the first evidence of endangered Tiger Quolls in the Otways for almost a decade. The scat has just been confirmed as that of a Tiger Quoll through DNA analysis by Dr Andrew Weeks at cesar, a research centre specialising in genetic analysis for wildlife conservation in Melbourne.

Tiger Quolls are the largest marsupial carnivores remaining on the Australian mainland, and, as an apex predator, living at the top of the food chain, the species plays an important role in the ecosystem.

Already endangered, Tiger Quoll populations are declining across their entire range.  Although the Otways has traditionally been a stronghold for the species, introduced predators such as foxes and cats have
combined with habitat destruction and fragmentation of populations resulting in dramatic declines over the last several decades and the species is now critically in danger of extinction in this region.

The great news unfolded recently when holidaymakers went to check a heavy thump on their back deck, and found a ‘spotted, ginger’ animal ‘a bit like a big possum’. The animal, which reminded the observers of a Tassie Devil, nonchalantly wandered across the deck, then stopped to drop a scat before jumping off.

Luckily the holidaymakers had the foresight to collect the scat and popped into the local Visitor Information Centre to ask about what they might have seen. The staff there gave them the contact details for the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) at Cape Otway.

With the support of their Patron, the Hon. Steve Bracks AC, the CEC is working to conserve Tiger Quolls across the Otways, working with government land management agencies and private landholders.

The Centre’s Co-Founder and CEO, Lizzie Corke, explains why these animals are a top priority for the Centre:

“Healthy and robust ecosystems are vital for the survival of us all and every species lost further jeopardises the ability of these ecosystems to bounce back. Because of their large home ranges and their position at the top of the food chain, efforts made to conserve the Tiger Quoll benefit a wide range of other species which depend on the habitats of the Otways. So much has been lost already that we need to make an urgent and concerted effort to care for what we have left.”

Acting Senior Biodiversity Officer at The Department of Sustainability and Environment, Saul Vermeeren, discusses the Otways quoll population:

 “We don’t know how many quolls we still have living in the wilds of the Otways, or if they still constitute a genetically viable population. The confirmation that Quolls still exist in the region gives us the power to make informed planning
decisions on the management of public land. Hopefully by undertaking more intensive surveys and considering appropriate land management practices we will be able to generate positive outcomes for the species that will allow it to flourish in the wild.”

To understand more about the Tiger Quoll, DSE, Parks Victoria and the Conservation Ecology Centre are surveying for them using established techniques such as remote sensor cameras. The CEC is also developing a team of detection dogs, trained to search out Tiger Quoll scats. Tiger Quoll scats are then confirmed through DNA analyses.

“Scats contain DNA from the source animal, and we can therefore determine the species which left the scat using species specific DNA markers” Dr Andrew Weeks explains.

A key threat to Tiger Quolls is invasive predators, particularly foxes, and efforts to decrease fox numbers are vital for ensuring the future of Tiger Quolls in the Otways.

If you have seen a Tiger Quoll or are interested in getting involved with the program as a volunteer contact us.

It may seem like just another block, but a small parcel of land in Cape Otway holds a tremendous opportunity for Australian wildlife. Flanked on one side by the Great Otway National Park and on the other by the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC), this land has the potential to become an important habitat corridor for koalas and other native animals.

With the support of their Patron, the Hon. Steve Bracks AC, the Conservation Ecology Centre is staging a drive to raise the funds necessary to finalise the purchase of the property. Thanks to a very generous grant from The R E Ross Trust, the CEC is part way there, but there is still a way to go. By June 30, another $45,000 is needed.

Donations will assist the Conservation Ecology Trust to complete the purchase of this land and create the ‘Manna Gum Reserve’. Once ownership is secured, the land will be restored, revegetated and, most importantly, remain protected.

For Australia’s iconic koalas, this is excellent news. Currently facing a range of threats, koalas are one of the main species set to benefit from the creation of the Manna Gum Reserve.

The Conservation Ecology Centre’s Co-Founder and CEO, Lizzie Corke, explains why these animals are a top priority for the centre:

“Koalas are challenged by a range of human-related factors, including habitat fragmentation, habitat decline, car accidents, dog attacks and disease. Our work focuses on restoring habitats and reconnecting populations in order to increase resilience and genetic diversity and conserve healthy, balanced ecosystems.

“Creation of the Manna Gum Reserve would enhance our work in this area and save this precious land from being overdeveloped and eroded. It will also provide an important model for habitat restoration.”

Help us secure their future

The Conservation Ecology Trust welcome sponsorship and donations. Contributions to this landmark conservation effort will assist in the restoration of an important piece of Australia.

For more information please view our Manna Gum Reserve FAQs.

Donate now

This map illustrates the existing Conservation Ecology Centre property along with the proposed purchase and its position in relation to the Great Otway National Park and the Parker River.

What is the significance of the piece of land?

The property is quite small – only 21 acres – but holds great significance in that it provides a vital link between the Conservation Ecology Centre and the Great Otway National Park. Currently, the environmental assets of the property are quite degraded and in need of critical restoration. Most of the property is cleared and there are some areas of erosion. However, the property also includes a tributary to the pristine Parker River – the only tributary outside the National Park and the CEC property. Securing ownership of the property will mean that the entire catchment of the Parker River is within the boundaries of land managed for conservation.

Where has funding come from so far?

The R E Ross Trust has very generously supported this project with a grant of $100,000. The purchase price of the property is $145,000 so we still need to raise $45,000 to finalise the purchase of the property and ensure its future.

What will the Conservation Ecology Centre do with the property?

Once ownership is secured it will be revegetated and restored for conservation of flora and fauna. The land will provide an important model for habitat restoration and will be used to engage the community in conservation land management techniques to improve habitat connectivity and build resilience across the landscape.

How can you get involved?

Once the property is secured, we would love you to help us with restoring it. However, right now the help we really need is financial. To join us in this important project, you can make a secure online donation. Donations of over $1000 will be acknowledged in a special Sponsors’ Path onsite and all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
 
Donate now
 

Introduced foxes have a devastating impact on many Australian wildlife species and are a great threat to the endangered Tiger Quoll in the Otways.

With the help of a State Government Caring for our Country Community Action Grant and the expertise of the Otway Coast Committee, the Conservation Ecology Centre is undertaking a humane soft-jaw trapping program on private land, complementing the existing fox control programs carried out by Parks Victoria and DSE.

Keen to get involved?

We’d love you to get involved.  Come along to an information session to learn more about the project and how to be a part of this important conservation effort.

When: 10am – 3pm Monday 30th April 2012 (Lunch provided)
Where: Conservation Ecology Centre, 635 Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway
RSVP: By 25th April Ph: 5237 9297 or contact us via the form on this website.

In an innovative move from the Conservation Ecology Centre, Cape Otway, this week saw the first training session for a team of canine volunteers – and their owners. Their mission? To help the Centre protect endangered Tiger Quolls from extinction.

Thanks to a grant from the Mazda Foundation, the Conservation Ecology Centre has teamed with South West Victorian Dogs to develop the program. And with 15 dogs of all breeds, colours and sizes already on board, Otways Conservation Dogs are off to a great start.

First training session of the Otways Conservation Dogs - March 2012

Though once common throughout the Otway Ranges, Tiger Quolls – the largest marsupial predators surviving on the Australian mainland – have become increasingly rare across their entire range and are now in critical danger of extinction in this region.

Lizzie Corke, CEO of the Centre explained the importance of the program:

“Every species is connected to other species in an ecosystem, so by working to conserve Tiger Quolls we benefit all the indigenous species in a region.”

“While sightings of Tiger Quolls are frequently reported there has been no confirmed evidence of their existence for nearly a decade. Although they are shy and nocturnal, Tiger Quolls have one habit which may help us in finding them … they all poo in the same place. So, if we can find those places (communal latrine sites) we can collect their poo and carry out DNA analysis to identify each individual Tiger Quoll living in the Otways and gain important insights into their status and location.” 

However, the Otways is a big place to go looking for small piles of poo and finding them requires an innovative response. This is where the Otways Conservation Dogs come in.

Otways Conservation Dogs Instructor, Luke Edwards from South West Victorian Dogs, training Delta the detection dog in the forests of Cape Otway

On Sunday 18^th March the first training session took place at the Conservation Ecology Centre in Cape Otway. Experienced search and rescue dog handler and instructor, Luke Edwards of South West Victorian Dogs, said:

“This is an exciting beginning. It is the first time a team of community volunteers is training to detect endangered species, so we are charting new territory!
Barking is often used as an alert in detection work, however, in this project we are training the dogs to use ‘passive alerts’, dropping and staying to signal a find. This will minimise the dogs’ impact on wildlife in the environmentally sensitive areas in which we will be working.” 

“We have dogs at all stages and they all worked really well today – they are still much loved family pets but will also be assets in wildlife conservation.”

Cheryl Nagel volunteers as an Otways Conservation Dogs member with her Australian Shepherd, Zeke

Cheryl Nagel volunteered with her dog, Australian Shepherd, Zeke.

Cheryl explained “I really enjoy spending time with my dog and being in the bush.  I am very concerned about plight of the Tiger Quoll and wildlife conservation in general, and getting involved in Otways Conservation Dogs is great way to make a useful contribution.”

Other projects in the Centre’s Tiger Quoll Conservation Program include remote camera surveys, feral predator control, small mammal conservation and habitat restoration and reconnection.

So keep an eye open for these feisty little creatures. And if you would like to help, then contact the Conservation Ecology Centre.

Is your dog's nose ready to help save an endangered species?

Thanks to the Mazda Foundation the Conservation Ecology Centre is working with South West Victorian Dogs to build a team of canine volunteers (and their owners!) to detect the scats (poos) of Tiger Quolls.  Tiger Quolls use communal latrine sites and by locating these we can collect important information about the status and location of quolls in the Otways to improve conservation efforts.

Endangered Tiger Quoll

Information Evening

If you would like to know more about the project and how you can get involved come along to an information evening (people only at this stage).

Where: Conservation Ecology Centre, 635 Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway

When: 7.30pm Thursday 8^th March 2012

Drinks and nibbles provided.

Contact us for more information and to RSVP

Join us on:

Thursday 23^rd, Friday 24^th and Saturday 25^th February
Thursday 8^th, Friday 9^th and Saturday 10^th March

There will be a training session on the first day as a refresher and for any new team members.  Contact us to let us know if you are interested in getting involved on any (or all!) of these dates.

Of course the surveys will be lots of fun with good food, good company and beautiful field sites!

Foxes and cats are very adaptable and extremely proficient at making themselves at home in the Australian environment. Foxes and cats compete with endangered Tiger Quolls for prey and foxes may also kill young quolls. These introduced predators also have a devastating impact on many other Australian wildlife species including small mammals and birds, so our efforts to control them under our Flagship program will assist with the conservation of many other native species.

How we’re able to undertake the project

The feral predator control project is supported by a State Government Caring for our Country Community Action Grant and will concentrate on private land bordering the Great Otway National Park. The work will complement existing fox and cat control programs carried out by Parks Victoria and DSE. Engaging around 30 landholders and individual properties will lead to a coordinated approach which is vital for effective feral predator management and will significantly contribute to landscape conservation.

Thanks also to their video editor, Dave Redman of Redfoot Films, and the cameraman, Miles Bence of Three Wise Media.

You can watch the video online. We hope you enjoy it!