DEVILS OF THE ALPINE
Field Monitoring Program


The intention is to conduct an ongoing and comprehensive Field Monitoring Program of wild

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) within the Cradle Mountain area.
PROGRAM DIRECTION:
The field monitoring program will be conducted by Devils @ Cradle staff utilising their combined expertise of local knowledge and scientific experience, these people are well qualified to implement this project.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To establish an ongoing and comprehensive field monitoring program of wild Tasmanian devils within the Cradle Mountain area.
This program will enable us to gain a better understanding of the wild population of Tasmanian devils within the Cradle Mountain area. Very little field research has been conducted on Tasmanian devils due to the allusive nature.


In the last ten years devils have experienced a marked decline in numbers in the eastern 64% of the state. This decline has been linked to an allo-grafting sarcoma known as DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease).

DFTD devils are now formally listed as a Threatened Species having suffered a 50% reduction in 10 years. Very little is known about DFTD and its spread have been closely observed through spot checks preformed continuously throughout the state by the DPIW (Department of Primary Industry Water). These focus on the presence of DFTD in a particular area or population not the long term effects.

The short term objective of the program is to increase the number of cameras we have through grants, sponsorship and donations so we can continue to expend the scope of the study area.

Through coordinated (DPIW) Wildlife Management Branch trapping programs we intend to micro-chip animals throughout the study, these devils can then be easilt identified througha scanning mechanism in the cameras.


While the long term objective is to release devils @ cradle captive bred animals back into the wild, in areas identified through the program as suitable locations. These animals would be monitored through radio tracking devices and assist in the breeding diversity of low density areas in the wild.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS:
The Field Monitoring Program is conducted using remote sensing infra-red digital cameras. The cameras currently used are manufactured in the United States for wildlife and game monitoring purposes and are available online from www.camtrakker.com.

The cameras gather data on particular individuals and the number of animals that inhabit the study area. Each individual is documented by an identification proforma and referenced in a data base using the infra-red digital photographs obtained by the camera traps.

The camera traps are erected strategically in the study area in a zone located by observing and following the natural paths (game trails) that devils create over many generations. These paths generally converge as home ranges over lap and are marked by a common latrine site. A slightly open area will be selected to try and limit the number of “false records” or photos taken my moving leaves branches etc. A GPS reading is also taken of the location of the camera trap and recorded.

 

 

The devil is naturally very oppurtunistic and will readily scavenge carrion. The project uses wallaby and possum carcass as an “attractant”, obtained through the Parks and Wildlife field staff, who remove road kill animals from this area. A “drag” is conducted of the carcass, scenting the game trails which will lead back to the camera trap. The carcass will be securely fixed to a star dropper to prevent it being dragged from the site.


Bait Boxes have also been made which are dug into the ground - the animals turn around constantly sniffing, biting, digging and exploring which allows shots of all markings which makes the documentation and identification of each individual more accurate.

Camera traps are generally checked each morning, the memory card changed over and reset in preparation for the evening, once the camera trap is set it will take a log of all activity around the carcass, each shot is automatically scribed with the time and date for ease of logging.


The photos are checked back at the Devils@Cradle facility where the data is logged. The program will see cameras permenently set in a certain area for a period of 1 - 2 months only to avoid developing dependence by the local population on the free feeding.


PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION:
This project is documented in several ways, data is gathered in a certain area over a certain period - these results are then formated and recorded within a data base. They are displayed and used for interpretation within the devils @ cradle facility and also on the devils @ cradle website (www.devilsatcradle.com) where they are regularly updated for public viewing and following.
The formated results are also forwarded onto DPIW - DFTD Project Team for assessment and feedback.


A data base of all animals observed will be kept in both hard copy through a proforma and electronically.

Pictures will be taken in JPEG format by the digital remote sensing cameras due to the relatively compact nature of the file type. High resolution JPEGS could also be accepted in publications.



photo taken 21st July 2006
SCOPE OF STUDY AREA:
Tasmanian devils are a gregarious species and have already been attracted to the devils @ cradle facility through interest in the captive population, it is considered the CRADLE VIEW property could provide a “hot spot” for undertaking this study.
 Permission has been gained to utilise a large area of land both Private and Crown for the purpose of this study. Access the surrounding Conservation areas of the Cradle Mountain National Park, Vale of Belvoir Conservation area and Reynolds Falls Recreation area has been approved by the PWS
The scope for this study is quite extensive, while confined to the immediate area of Cradle Mountain. This range will allow for a comprehensive study into current numbers, their movements, habits, range, life spans and the presence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) in the Cradle Mountain region.

SIMILAR PROJECTS:
Whilst similar surveys have been conducted at Cradle Mountain in the past, this program (due to our residing location and facility) will be unique in that, it will allow daily, ongoing and long term monitoring along with possible release of captive bred animals into the wild.
Our field monitoring program will compliment data published in a previous radio tracking program completed by Dr Menna Jones in the late 1990’s.
A similar study was conducted by DPIWE at Cradle Mountain World Heritage Area, over the course of a fortnight in 2005.

Remote sensing cameras are a very unobtrusive mechanism in which to monitor allusive Tasmanian devils. In other studies the cameras have been used in conjunction with a trapping regime which makes devils potentially trap shy. This has potential in giving a pronounced bias to the results over a long term. Very quickly because of the non-threatening nature of the camera traps the devils will condition there presence, potentially providing a more accurate picture of the health and dynamics of the cradle mountain population.
Remote sensing cameras have been utilised throughout the world as a valuable tool in wildlife research and game management. Several long term projects including, wolverines, tigers and polar bears utilise the same technology utilised in this proposal. The equipment is cheap, durable and accurate and is perfectly developed for remote or alpine applications.

 

DEVILS OF THE ALPINE FUND

To achieve the objectives of the DEVILS OF THE ALPINE Field Monitoring Program we need increase the number of Field Monitoring Cameras to enable us to continue to expand the scope of the study area and longer term purchase equipment such as Radio Tracking Devices to be able to track released devils in the study area. We hope to be able to acheive these objectives through sponsorship, grants, donations and volunteers.

To date we have recieved great support from the Wildlife Management Branch - DFTD Project Team (DPIW) and the Cradle Mountain Parks and Wildlife Service (DTAE) through assistance with the implementation of the program, trapping regimes, traps and sponsorship of monitoring equipment and assessment of data. This has given us a good starting point from which to "kick off" the long term study.

A recent innitiative will see devils @ cradle effectively combining resources with the Cradle Mountain Parks and Wildlife Service Visitor and Information Centres where a percentage of devils @ cradle tour bookings will be used to raise funds through tourists to help support the sustainability of the program.

Donations are welcomed and can currently be made at the devils @ cradle facility and various Cradle Mountain Resorts. We intend to have an online donation resource on this website in the near future.

All funds will be used to support the Field Monitoring Program and help to ensure that Tasmanian devils continue to live in healthy numbers in the spectacular alpine wilderness of Cradle Mountain.

 

FIELD MONITORING PROGRAM RESULTS

The Field Monitoring Program information recorded from the research will be uploaded

to this sight every three months including photographs and data.

 

DEVILS OF THE ALPINE
Field Monitoring Program Results

 

 


Male 2 years old


The start of the 2006 financial year saw the start of the DEVILS OF THE ALPINE - Field Monitoring Program.



female 2 years old

We commenced a pilot study on the Cradle View Property intending to fine tune the CamTrakker passive infra-red digital cameras with the aim of capturing quality photographs of devils to be able to identify the animal.


Scenting the bait box


female with pouched young

 

We have developed "bait boxes" that are dug into the ground, these act as an attractant to the animals but do not supply enough food for a dependence to develop. The resolution of the cameras is excellent and by using the "bait boxes" the animals turn around constantly biting, digging and exploring which allows shots of all markings which makes the documentation and identification of each individual more accurate.

The results so far have exceeded our expectations and we have currently taken 161 devil photographs and identified 9 different individuals, including one female with young developing in the pouch. We have identified a representative population of many different ages. Thankfully we have not observed any signs of DFTD in our sample and all animals have been in good physical condition.}



Male 4 years old



The program has also taken 71 Eastern quoll pictures and 7 pictures of the highly allusive Spotted Tail quoll. As well as shots of wombats, possums and unweary staff!!


All in all it has been successful and we look forward to collating and presenting the data regularly at - www.devilsatcradle.com

The intention is to gradually increase the scope of the study to other areas within the Cradle Mt area as we get more cameras.

Chris Coupland
Devils@Cradle

 

 

Devils @ Cradle
Field Monitoring Program

September - October Update

 

We have now expanded the study area for the Field Monitoring Program (FMP) to include a second photo "trap" site approximately 500 metres from the first.

 

At this site we have had a number of the same individuals as site 1 but also 6 new individuals. These animals bring the total number of individuals observed in the study to 27.

Unfortunately we have also observed 3 individuals with DFTD (Devils Facial Tumour Disease) at the two trap sites. Therefore the results currently suggest that there is at least a 12% infection rate within the "Cradle View" property. This important information was shared with the DPIW (Department of Primary Industry and Water) DFTD Task Force for inclusion in their studies and to the PWS field staff for accurate interpretation within the area.

 

 

Interestingly it currently appears that the devils are feeding for a longer time period at the second trap site. Which may be due to its more isolated location and the security that the surrounding dense vegetation provides? Throughout the study we have only photographed two individuals together at the same site once, therefore they don't appear to be freely feeding together.

We are frequently observing another threatened Tasmanian marsupial, the spotted-tail quoll which is exciting as they are not in high numbers in this area and like the devil they are notoriously allusive.

We look forward to the continuing success for the FMP and keeping you up to date on the Devils@Cradle Website.

Chris Coupland
Devils @ Cradle

 

 

Devils of the Alpine

Field Monitoring Update

November 2006 - January 2007

 

The last quarter has been incredibly successful for the Devils of the Alpine - Field Monitoring Program.

The results show a drop in Eastern quoll activity with only 19 shots been taken in 3 months, increasing the total number of shots taken from 82 to 101. We are yet to identify the number of individual Eastern quolls in the study area.

Through the FMP, We have identified another spotted tail quoll which means that there is an adult male and a female within the study region. Which is exciting as it is estimated that there may only be 4000-5000 individuals in the state.

We have also secured some amazing shots of a lesser long eared bat flying through the study site as a devil triggered the passive infra-red cameras with its movement. Another unusual photo was taken within the last week of a male spotted tail quoll and a large pademelon in the same frame. These two species are recognised as predator and prey. Why the pademelon was around the bait is uncertain but it may show that they will consume some flesh or the digested plant material in the intestines as brush tailed possums do. Also the cameras have identified Australian Forest Ravens scavenging at night on the bait stations, which again is unusual as they are recognised as a diurnal species.

December and January is the time where young devils disperse from the maternal den. Accordingly the population increases and then decreases sharply as the young recruit into the population. Weaker juveniles and adults can not deal with the increased competition levels and attrition is severe. We have observed a noticeable jump in identified individuals in the study area. Last quarter there were 26 known animals now it is 38. These animals showed varying body conditions with both adult and juvenile devils appearing emaciated. It will be interesting over the next quarter to observe the success of the young and which adults succumb to attrition as we enter into the breeding season.

 

This quarter has seen an increase in the number of DFTD cases and also the number of newly identified devils. Despite an increase in the suspected DFTD cases the maximum percentage of observed animals affected is equal to last quarter at approximately 13%.

One adult female was reported in the study area killed by a vehicle. This animal was killed 800m east of Leary's Corner, was clearly emaciated and had an advanced case of DFTD.

Several animals were observed with lacerations on the jowls and neck which indicates mating behaviour. If so there is a correlation with an early start to the oestrus cycle in our captive females. Oestrus usually occurs in mid to late February. This may be occurring early due to the mild dry winter we experienced and the short sharp cold burst and then hot dry summer we are experiencing. This may have altered the animal's natural rhythms. It may also indicate the intense level of competition at the moment with so many young dispersing. It will be interesting to monitor the breeding season over the next quarter.

  

 

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