Conservation

our conservation model

Mt Rothwell is unique in design yet quite simple… remove the threats and the natives thrive.

Our approach is to look at entire ecosystems, find the missing links, ensure natural behaviours are preserved (e.g. flight responses, mate selection through competition and the ability to perform their ecological role independently), and ensure establishment and recruitment is successful.

We are able to adjust our land management practices to the changing environment and climate so that the ecosystem remains balanced.

This has resulted in a landscape that comes to life, especially at night, with Australia’s unique fauna.

research

overview

Mt Rothwell provides a unique opportunity to study and observe historical landscape and population changes that are key to the survival of threatened ecosystems and species in the wild.

Highly trained and experienced staff participate in a range of projects and research in partnership and consultation with a number of government wildlife agencies and research organisations. These include the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Zoos Victoria, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Teams, the University of Melbourne and Monash University.

We work with the CESAR and the University of Melbourne to develop species genetic profiling that assists with overall population management. Findings through these programs provide vital information for threatened species recovery programs. Key programs:

Genetic rescue of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Population density surveys (distance sampling) of Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Large carnivore introduction of Spot-tailed (Tiger) Quoll
Eastern Quoll DNA profiling
Eastern Quoll collar trials
Population dynamics for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
Southern Brown Bandicoot collar trials