Investigators
CI Jones
CI Burridge
PI Kutt
PI Hamilton
PI Brewster
Partners
University of Tasmania
WWF Australia
Tasmanian Land Conservancy
The Tasmanian Quoll Conservation Program
Dates
X
More information
X
Aim
To determine whether modern Bennett's wallabies will still be able to recognise and respond appropriately to the Tasmanian tiger after nearly 100 years of isolation from the predator.
Background
Some scientists believe innate predator recognition is the differentiating factor between invasive and naturalised predators. The argument is that if a predator can be innately recognised and avoided by its prey, they are likely to be less destructive to prey populations. Testing this hypothesis with the Tasmanian Tiger is significant for two reasons.
Firstly, because while innate predator recognition has been shown to persist in prey populations after a predator is removed, this is usually studied over short timescales (fewer than 10 years). The case of the Tasmanian tiger provides a unique opportunity to study an older extinction, to explore how long predator recognition is able to persist. This could help inform future restorations of older disrupted predator-prey dynamics (such as the reintroductions of predators to areas where they went locally extinct between 10-100 years ago).
Secondly, the Tasmanian tiger is currently a candidate for de-extinction through cloning, and there is talk of an eventual reintroduction of the cloned animals to native ecosystems. This is a very controversial proposal, but there has been almost no empirical work to support arguments either for or against the de-extinction. This research project aims to contribute to this discussion by investigating whether the Tasmanian tiger is still 'naturalised' in the Tasmanian ecosystem, by determining whether their prey could respond appropriately to a potential reintroduction.
Approach
Camera traps will be utilised to monitor the behaviour of grazing wallabies in the evenings. 3D models and artificial scents of the Tasmanian tiger, red fox, and domestic goat will be used to determine whether the wallabies selectively avoid their historical predator.
How the Quoin is helping
The Quoin has been selected as one of two survey sites for this experiment, as the property has many clearings where Bennett's wallabies graze in the evenings.
Significance
The results of this experiment could help to inform whether a Tasmanian tiger de-extinction would be helpful or harmful to the modern Tasmanian ecosystem.