Yanchep National Park Management Plan 1989-1999

Two species, Tarsipes rostratus (Honey Possum) (recorded frequently in 1987 survey) and
Cercartetus concinnus (Western Pygmy-possum) (not recorded recently) are limited in extent though
common where they do occur (Renfree and Wooller 1983; Smith 1983).
Four bat species have recently been recorded in the Park (A. H. Burbidge, pers. comm.) including
Nyctophilus major (Greater Long-eared Bat) which is an uncommon species that lives in dry, open
woodland; little is known of its biology (Richards 1983).
Another species of note is Isoodon obesulus (Southern Brown Bandicoot) whose range has been
greatly reduced in Western Australia (diggings recorded 1987, and one road kill in early 1988 A. H.
Burbidge, pers. comm.). It is now uncommon in the Park.
The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is common in the Park, particularly in the
limestone scrub and recreation area. The kangaroos can be easily observed by the public. They offer
an ideal opportunity to observe this animal uncaged and semi-wild in an attractive environment.
Regular counts have occurred since 1986 on the ovals, lake front and golf course. Numbers appear
to be increasing in these areas (R. Davis, pers. comm.). During the summer months they move from
the open scrub to the eucalypt woodland, to avoid heat stress (Kitchener et al. 1978). The recreation
area is popular with kangaroos, which feed on the gardens (if they are not fenced) and green lawns
of the ovals, golf course and picnic areas. Kangaroo numbers are artificially high in the Park because
of the easy availability of food and water in the recreation area and in the farmlands surrounding the
Park.
Although they were trapped in the late 1970s, in a recent Park survey (October 1987 and April
1988) no native rodents were trapped, however, two introduced rodent species were caught. This
apparent decline in numbers is of considerable concern as the native Rattus fuscipes was once
common in the Park (A. H. Burbidge, pers. comm.). This appears to be a trend also in the northern
jarrah forests (W. Schmidt, pers. comm.). Another native rodent, Pseudomys aldocinerea, was not
caught during the 1987/88 survey.
No brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) have been seen in the Park for some years, apart
from one or two rehabilitated animals that have been released in the Park. There are feral animals in
the Park including foxes, cats, rabbits and feral bees. These animals can have a severe detrimental
effect on indigenous species. Management of feral animals is discussed in Section 10.3.
8.2 REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
The Northern Swan Coastal Plain is rich in reptiles and amphibians, with 70 species (Storr et al.
1978a). Forty seven species have been found in the Park, 41 of these were recorded in the 1987/88
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