Western Shield - Recent Declines in Native Species

Recent Declines in Native Species

Unfortunately the success story of Western Shield, is no longer, as the Woylie has been quickly added back to WA’s list of threatened fauna, due to the sharp declines since 2002, with some places having a 95% decrease in that locality near the Upper Warrer in Manjimup, where the original ‘seven fold increase’ occurred. The Woylies population across all of Australia, have declined, especially the DEC managed lands of the South west forests, and even wild populations (thanks to previous translocations) in South Australia, have also mysteriously declined, with the culprit possibly being disease. In fact quite a few other species of the south west forests have also declined, with no definite answers many studies are being undertaken, including through DEC’s ‘Saving our Species’ new initiative. Although early days yet, hopefully conclusions can be made, but even then so, what will be eventuated from knowing the quandary, we will have to see. Possible explanations include, global warming, ground water loses, introduced predators building up a resistance to the baits, a natural population fluctuation or possibly even by natural means, such as nowadays more native predators such as Carpet Pythons and Chudicthes are surviving, only to ultimately endanger other native species. Hopefully the cause will be found, and a suitable solution will be resolved.