Long-nosed Bandicoot Recovery

The Long-nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) pictured here was recently killed by a vehicle on the Whittlesea-Yea Road and is unfortunately one of five known road-kill bandicoots in the past few months, mostly in the Stony Creek area at Kinglake West.

Long-nosed bandicoot road-kill at Kinglake West

There is conjecture about the reasons for this spate of road deaths. One theory, looking on the positive side, is that, although disturbing to see these lovely animals being killed, it may indicate a large increase in the local bandicoot population following the bushfires in the area in 2009.

This may be as a result of the past two relatively wet years providing soft earth to dig in and a flush of insects and fungi, which constitute a large part of the bandicoot’s diet.

Long-nosed bandicoots forage in leaf litter and often dig characteristic conical holes to locate invertebrates and underground-fungi. The bandicoot also eats lush plant material and the prolific regrowth of vegetation after the fires provides both food and cover from predators.

Long-nosed Bandicoots are most active during the night. It is more likely that you will see evidence of the animal’s conical diggings on your property before you see a bandicoot.

Long-nosed Bandicoot near King Parrot Creek

Long-nosed Bandicoot near King Parrot Creek

At one site near the King Parrot Creek we have been able to capture dozens of photos of living Long-nosed Bandicoots by using movement activated cameras.

If you do see a bandicoot, alive or dead, or possible evidence please let us know by phoning 5736 0104 or

email ugrecovery@gbcma.vic.gov.au

Spring Creek Rehabilitation

Landowners along the Spring Creek in Flowerdale have been taking advantage of UGLN's fire recovery fencing and revegetation programs. In conjunction with the GBCMA waterway grants for fencing and off stream watering.

Volunteers constructing fences on the Spring Creek

With our assistance to date six landowners along Spring Valley Road in Flowerdale have fenced off their streams and remnant vegetation to assist the ecologically important riparian land along there waterways recover from the impacts of fire and grazing pressures.
Their are many benefits associated with fencing off waterways including reduced erosion, better water quality, shelter effects for stock, increase in capital values and a healthy ecosystems.

Volunteers from GPT Group

The group of volunteers pictured from GPT did a great job constructing 300m of fencing despite a wet and boggy day.

Recent plantings on the Spring Creek