Summer 2009 - Perth Zoo

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4 In the Field Perth Zoo and its staff are committed to the conservation of species in their natural habitats. Field work is an important part of any conservation project working with animals in the wild. Here is a case file through the eyes of one of our staff members. Christmas Island Reptile Collection 22 August to 5 September 2009 Location: Christmas Island Perth Zoo Field Workers: Helen Robertson (Animal Health and Research Director), Simone Vitali (Senior Veterinarian) and Meagan McPharlin (Australian Fauna Supervisor). About Christmas Island Christmas Island is located off the coast of Java, Indonesia. It has been an external territory of the Australian Commonwealth since 1958. With its tropical climate, the temperature is 27–29°C during the day and 24°C at night, all year round. The majority of the island is a national park. Habitat destruction (due to land clearance from mining and other human activities) and introduced species have resulted in an ecological shift that has seen several species become extinct. Background A dramatic fall in native reptile numbers has occurred on Christmas Island. Five endemic species – Lister’s Gecko, the Blue-tailed Skink, the Forest Skink, the Giant Gecko and the Christmas Island Blind Snake – are found on the island. They compete for food and shelter with five introduced species: the Asian House Gecko, Barking House Gecko, Grass Skink, Flowerpot Blind Snake and Asian Wolf Snake. Blue-tailed Skinks (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) and Forest Skinks (Emoia nativitatus) were once commonly found across the island, however, both appear now highly to a small area on the island. Blue-tailed Skinks have gone from being one of the most conspicuous and abundant reptiles Blue-tailed Skink. on the island to being only found in very few locations and in small numbers. Similarly, Forest Skinks were also once more common on the island but now it is difficult to find more than one in each survey attempt. This dire state prompted the Australian Government to initiate a captive breeding program to ensure the survival of these two species. Perth Zoo was approached because of its experience and success in breeding Lancelin Island Skinks for release. In conjunction with the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, 152 of the critically endangered skinks were bred at the Zoo and released onto Favourite Island. The program is considered a success. With this background knowledge, Perth Zoo staff travelled to Christmas Island in August and September to work with Parks Australia staff on Christmas Island to collect the founder animals for the skink breeding programs. They also helped draft husbandry manuals for the skinks’ care. Goals The first goal was to work with Parks Australia staff to collect and house 40 Forest Skinks and 40 Blue-tailed Skinks. Due to the fall of numbers in the wild, it is hoped insurance populations will be established both on and off the island. Later, it is hoped the skinks will form part of a breed-forrelease program. At the moment, however, the focus is on establishing insurance populations, researching the skinks’ biology and investigating and addressing threatening processes. Process Forest Skink. Working with park staff, one day Simone and Helen focused on the Blue-tailed Skink while I (Meagan) tried to locate Forest Skinks. We found two previously unknown locations in the area where park staff had previously been detecting and capturing skinks. These were found on
Rough terrain in which the field work was completed. pinnacle rocks, a skink favourite because of the rocks’ hollow, labyrinth-like nature which give the skinks plenty of places to hide. We collected the skinks into carry packs containing soil and leaf litter in which they could hide. At the end of the day we trekked back to the vehicle then drove back to base camp with the skinks. All of the skinks were weighed, measured and checked for any physical abnormalities. Faecal samples were taken, if possible, to be later checked for parasites. All skinks collected so far appear to be in excellent health. For now skinks are being kept by park staff in enclosures designed and constructed by park staff inside a modified gazebo on Christmas Island until a long-term option can be established. Here the animals are exposed to natural sunlight and the humid, local climate. We also helped construct artificial habitats for the Forest Skinks to replicate their complex habitat within pinnacle rocks. During our trip we collected 17 Blue-tailed Skinks and one Forest Skink. Since returning to Perth Zoo, Christmas Island Park staff have collected a further 21 Blue-tailed Skinks and another Forest Skink. Finding so few Forest Skinks is of concern. Meagan and Helen collect data. Highlights I work very closely with reptiles at Perth Zoo so working with skinks in the wild was very rewarding. I was very excited when I found the two new locations for the Forest Skinks were found. I approached the challenge with the mentality of ‘If I was a skink, where would I be?’ Challenges Sheltered facility to house the SKinks. Simone and Helen complete health checks on Skinks. The skinks are usually found in habitats with very rough terrain – pandanus vegetation with sharp pinnacle rock cliffs with a drop into the sea on one side. Pandanus has serrated leaves, so I had to tend to leg and arm scratches more than once. Also, the humidity meant that wherever we went we had to carry plenty of water and my clothes clung to me. Benefits I value being involved with in situ conservation, and providing knowledge and experience that will improve the success of the program. Contributing to the initial stages of planning, brainstorming and implementation meant I developed problem solving skills and applied the knowledge I’ve learnt at Perth Zoo to the wild. The husbandry for the skinks was developed using a combination of our and park staff knowledge of similar species because so little is known about the ecology of Christmas Island skinks. This meant a huge learning curve but I love learning new things. Working with Helen and Simone, who are experienced professionals, and being able to learn from their vast experience was also rewarding. I enjoyed the sensory overload: being in a new place, meeting new people, adjusting to new animals and the challenges of trekking through the habitat and adjusting to the climate. All photos supplied by Helen Robertson, Simone Vitali and Meagan McPharlin. Summer 2009/10 | newspaw s 5
Page 1 and 2: Puteri’s Princess Perth Zoo’s O
Page 3: Ultrasounding Perth Zoo’s Botanic
Page 7 and 8: New Quokka Breeding Program Quokkas
Page 9 and 10: Photo by Phil England How to Build
Page 11 and 12: cliffs were placed around the exhib
Page 13 and 14: A Day in the Life of… Cassandra B
Page 15 and 16: New Ghostly Arrivals Born on 27 Oct
Page 17 and 18: What’s on Go to ‘what’s on’
Page 19 and 20: Assorted soft toys. Prices vary. Th

Summer 2009 - Perth Zoo

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