Koala habitat assessment and monitoring program Bluesfest 2010 Final report to Bluesfest Pty Ltd 16 th September 2010
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Project Team Principal Senior Ecologist Field Staff Stephen Phillips Marama Hopkins Dan Pollard, Wayne Foster, Sue Phillips, Mick Shelton, Bree Fern Koala capture and radio-tracking work was carried out under the following license and ethics approvals Licence/approval Authority Date of approval Licence No. / expiry date Scientific Licence NPWS 18/09/2009 S12578 / 31/05/11 Animal Research Authority DPI 23/02/09 n.a. / 04/02/10 Animal Care & Ethics Approval DPI 19/02/08 n.a. / 04/02/11 This report should be cited as: Hopkins, M. and Phillips, S. 2010. Koala habitat assessment and monitoring program 2010. Final report to Bluesfest Pty Ltd. Biolink Ecological Consultants. Document Control Version 2 Date Final Prepared by M. Hopkins 15 th September 2010 Reviewed by S. Phillips 15 th September 2010 Approved by S. Phillips 16 th September 2010 Final report 2010 2
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Summary The Bluesfest music festival was held at Tyagarah, northeast NSW between the 1 st and 5 th of April 2010. This report describes the outcomes from an approved program of habitat assessment and koala radio-tracking for the purpose of determining the influence of the festival on the ranging behaviour and well being of resident koalas, thereby gathering important baseline data for informing future management of the species and their habitat on the Bluesfest site. Eleven koalas were captured for the purposes of the radio-tracking study, notable aspects of which were the animals small body weights and a tendency towards disproportionately small head size or micro-cephaly. While a number of individual koalas on the site were expressing clinical signs of disease upon capture, observations both on the site and in adjoining habitat areas suggest that the population is generally in good condition with sufficient levels of reproductive output, a notion supported by the approximately normal distribution of age classes amongst captured animals otherwise indicating a demographically stable population. Koalas were radio-tracked for a six-month period, including three months prior to and three months after the festival event. At least four of the six koalas for which sufficient data was available demonstrated aversive behaviour during onsite works in the days immediately prior to, and/or during the festival event itself. Aversive behavior included use of the extremes of the animals home range and utilisation of areas outside the normal range of movement. Radio-tracked koalas were quick to return to their areas of core activity upon cessation of the festival event, in most cases returning during the bump-out phase. Six koalas died during the course of the radio-tracking program, mortalities occurring prior to and following the festival period. Four of these mortalities were associated with koalas identified as potentially compromised by disease upon capture, one was most likely attributable to capture stress/myopathy, while the cause of death for the remaining animal was unknown. It is not known to what extent development works on the site leading up to the festival period, or the festival period itself may have contributed to the mortality rate. Genetic profiling using tissue from the captured koalas further confirmed a high level of inbreeding in the population, with which a predisposition to mortality arising from both elevated stress and compromised immunological response can be associated. This knowledge raises further issues Final report 2010 3
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program regarding longer-term management of the population and is the basis for a recommendation suggesting a program of population management for the purposes of increasing genetic diversity be prepared. Additional to the radio-tracking component, thirty field sites were benignly sampled using the Spot Assessment Technique. Eighty per cent of sites returned evidence of koala activity and 646 individual trees were assessed for evidence of koala utilisation. Fifty seven percent of the field sites returned activity levels consistent with that known to represent use by resident koala populations. The distribution of sites returning significant activity, as well as data which indicated preferred utilisation of Swamp Mahogany was concordant with the results obtained by radio-tracking. This outcome supports use of a benign SAT-based program as a means of monitoring the extent, distribution and activity of koalas on the site for future events. Given the aversive behaviour demonstrated by the majority of radio-tracked animals on the site, and the extent to which the population appears to be genetically compromised, sensitive future management of the koala population and its habitat is required. To this end recommendations arising from the study include the need for some habitat modification to minimise the ability of koalas to occupy home range areas in the immediate vicinity of the main event area, consolidation and enlargement of primary east-west and north-south habitat linkages, habitat augmentation in existing linear remnants, appropriate use of fencing, increased community education and engagement with the Bluesfest koalas generally, a key aspect of which is the likely need for an approved medium- to long-term program to ultimately increase genetic diversity of the site s resident koala population. Final report 2010 4
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Introduction Bluesfest Pty Ltd utilised land at Lots 103-105, Pacific Highway, Tyagarah (hereafter referred to as the site) for the annual Bluesfest music festival during the 1 st to the 5 th April 2010. This was the inaugural use of the site and it is the intent of Bluesfest to make use of the site on an annual basis for a minimum period of a further two years. The site being the focus of investigation (Fig. 1), approximately 95ha of a ~125ha property, is predominantly agricultural in nature consisting of areas of pastured land and tea tree plantation interspersed with linear remnant and planted native vegetation patches. Contiguous forest vegetation is adjacent to the site to the north, east and south. A number of surveys have recorded use of the site by koalas (Landmark 2004; Landpartners 2007; Doyle 2008). An approved Koala Plan of Management (KPoM) prepared by Doyle (2008) is in place for the site, with a further program of koala habitat assessment and monitoring of individual koalas on the site through radiotracking required by the Department of Planning as a condition of consent. A monitoring program prepared by Biolink (2009) and subsequently approved by Council commenced in January 2010, incorporated the abovementioned radiotracking, along with the establishment of permanent monitoring sites to enable benign monitoring of the resident koala population during subsequent years. A baseline report was prepared as per Council s consent conditions, and contains results of initial koala habitat assessment and preliminary radio-tracking observations during the months leading up to the 2010 event (Appendix III). This document presents the results of the six-month koala radio-tracking study in its entirety, summarises results of habitat assessment and provides discussion and recommendations for future management of the koala population on the site. Methodology Koala capture & radio-tracking Koalas were located through targeted searches within remnant vegetation on the site as well as adjacent bushland areas to the south and east. Search effort was focused on locating animals residing within those areas of the site proposed to be utilised for festival activity. Animals were captured by flagging or by koala trap (Phillips in press) and anesthetized upon capture using the anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant anesthetic Alfaxan RCU. While sedated, each koala was subjected to a full assessment during which sex, weight, age, condition and reproductive status were determined. Samples Final report 2010 5
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program were also taken for Chlamydial, Koala Retro-virus (KoRV) and genetic profiling. Each animal was fitted with an orange ear tag and transmitter (radio-collar) and, once recovered from the anesthetic, was released back into the tree from which it was captured. Animals were assigned names for ease of communication and reporting. Unexpected mortalities coupled with initial observations regarding small body size and associated micro-cephaly prompted concern that inbreeding may be resulting in an increased susceptibility to disease and/or elevated stress response. Tissue samples collected during the capture process were consequently sent to the University of Queensland for genetic profiling in order to determine levels of heterozygosity. Koalas were relocated using an Australis 26K Scanning Receiver and three-element Yagi antenna. UTM coordinates for animal locations were recorded on each occasion using handheld GPS with an average accuracy of approximately ± 5m, along with the tree species in which the animal was resting, time of day and observations of behaviour and apparent health/condition. Each koala was relocated daily for at least the initial five days following capture, as well as during the five days leading up to the festival (bump-in), the five days of festival activity and the five days following the festival (bump-out). Outside of these specific times, animals were relocated every two to three days. The sampling regime was designed to provide the minimum number of independent loci required to establish a robust estimate of home range configuration upon which to assess any influence of festival activity on ranging behaviour of resident koalas. While this number varies with species (and individual), a minimum of 20-30 independent loci for each of the pre- and post-festival periods was considered adequate (Seaman et al 1999). Home range analysis and response to festival activity The home range of an animal is defined as that area normally utilised during the course of daily activity over time. Home range areas for radio-collared koalas were estimated using the fixed kernel analysis with Least Squares Cross Validation (LSCV) tool of the Animal Movement extension for ArcView 3.2 (Hooge and Eichenlaub 1997). Fifty, 90 and 95 percent probability utilisation contours were created for the purpose of delineating that area within which the animal (probabilistically) occurs 50, 90 and 95% of the time, respectively. Final report 2010 6
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Home range analyses were carried out for only those animals for which a sufficient number of independent loci (exclusive of loci obtained during the festival period ) were obtained. For the purposes of this report festival period is defined as that period from the commencement of bump-in to the conclusion of bump-out, 27 th March 10 th April. Habitat assessment In order to establish baseline data for effective monitoring of the site s koala population in subsequent years, 30 assessment/monitoring sites were assessed at approximate 150m spacings throughout vegetation within the site. The centre of each site was marked with a star picket, an aluminium tag imprinted with the site identification number and fluorescent flagging tape and/or paint for relocation in the future. Each site was sampled using the Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) methodology of Phillips and Callaghan (in press). Results Koala capture and radio-tracking Five male and six female koalas were captured within the site between 12 th January and 2 nd April 2010. Age classes of captured animals were approximately normally distributed, suggesting the presence of a demographically stable population (Fig. 2). One female (RMB) was carrying pouch young. A summary of age, sex and weight details of captured koalas are provided in Table 1, notable amongst which are the generally small body weights of resident animals (Mean weight adult males: 7.09kg ± 1.23kg (SD); Mean weight adult females: 4.71kg ± 0.68kg (SD)). Three females ( Renee, Lil Fi, Emmylou ) and one male ( Sonny Boy ) were exhibiting external signs of disease e.g. conjunctival scarring and/or wet-bottom at the time of capture. Final report 2010 7
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 7 6 Number of koalas 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Age class Figure 2. Distribution of age classes of animals captured at the Bluesfest site. Table 1. Details of radio-collared animals captured at the Bluesfest site. Loci refers to the number of independent locations that were recorded for each animal. Home range size based on area within 95% utilisation contour modelled by kernel analysis. Name Sex Weight (kg) Age Home range size (ha) Loci Ash M 5.2 4-10 Etta F 5 7 2.58 67 Jeff M 7.8-2.38 90 Junior M 2.5 2 0.17 20 Lil Fi F 3.8 4-5 0.37 26 RMB F 5.5 4 3.11 85 Renee F - 4 0.62 66 Sonny Boy M 7.5 5 1.24 53 9874 F 5.0 7-6 Brownie M 7.8 4 13.06 63 Emmylou F 4.25 4 1.74 40 A number of additional koalas were sighted during the course of the monitoring program, predominantly to the east and south of the site, contributing to a cursory population estimate for the site and immediate surrounds of between 20-30 animals. Utilisation of space and response to festival Each radio-collared animal was relocated on between six and 85 independent occasions during the radio-tracking period (Table 2). Radio-tracked koalas were recorded in at least seven species of eucalypt and at least 16 species of noneucalypt. Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta was the most frequently utilised tree Final report 2010 8
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program species, our observations of koalas in this tree species comprising 56% of all records. Estimated home range sizes of collared animals (area of 95% utilisation) varied between 0.17ha ( Junior ) and 13.06ha ( Brownie ), however the actual home range sizes are almost certainly smaller due to the configuration of vegetation across the site and the inclusion of large areas of cleared land within modelled probability contours. The location and extent of the home range area of each koala is presented in Figures 3, 4 and 5, wherein 50, 90 and 95% utilisation polygons are illustrated along with recorded locations of each animal during the monitoring period. A description of the normal ranging behaviour and that observed during the festival period for each radio-collared animal for which sufficient pre-, during- and postfestival data was available is provided below. The festival period referred to below is described as: Pre-festival Festival Post-festival 27 th March 31 st March 1 st April 5 th April 6 th April 10 th April Renee The adult female Renee utilised a small home range of approximately 0.62ha (95% utilisation) with a single core activity area of approximately 0.09ha immediately adjacent to the far northeastern portion of the site (Fig. 3). Previously one of the most predictable koalas in the program, this koala made a relatively large movement of approximately 55m on 22/03 into the general area formerly occupied by the sub-adult male Junior. Renee remained in this general area (and generally within or outside of 95% utilisation contours), with one return to her core area (01-03/04), until 09/04 whereupon she again returned to her core area with only one further one to two day excursion to the north on 12/04. Renee remained within or to the south of her core area until her death on 17/05. Brownie The home range of the alpha-male Brownie was estimated at approximately 13.06ha (95% utilisation) with three core areas collectively approximating 1.81ha (Fig. 3). In keeping with his status Brownie s ranging patterns overlapped that of a number of other resident koalas while he also made regular traverses of 150-300m, Final report 2010 9
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program visiting areas to the north and east of his core activity areas. While such movement patterns mean it is difficult to define normal ranging behaviour, at no time during the festival period was Brownie recorded in one of his core areas. At the beginning of the pre-festival period (27-31/03) Brownie was travelling towards the centre of the site, whereupon he turned around and was located on each subsequent occasion in the far east of his ranging area. Brownie moved back to within 10m of his eastern core area on 06/04, remaining there for the duration of the post-festival period, and was recorded in one or another of his three core areas on each tracking occasion for the following month. RMB A home range area of approximately 3.11ha at the eastern end of the central eastwest vegetation remnant was utilised by the adult female with pouch-young RMB during the radio-tracking period (Fig. 3). RMB maintained one core area of approximately 0.22ha, within which 38% of locations were recorded. Between 30/03 and 01/04 RMB was recorded at locations within the 90% and 95% utilisation contours at the far east of her range before making a relatively large movement of approximately 90 metres to the southeast, outside the 95% utilisation contour. RMB remained outside and to the east of her home range area for the duration of the festival and post-festival periods, a total of nine days, before spending a further 11-12 days at the eastern edge of the site and returning to her core area on 26/04 where she was recorded with regularity for the remainder of the tracking period. Jeff Jeff utilised a two-core home range area of approximately 2.38ha at the western end of the southern vegetation remnant, within which an area of 0.47ha (50% core activity area) contained 61% of recorded locations (Fig. 4). Between 31/03 and 6/04, Jeff made movements beyond the range of normal activity and was located in areas falling within or outside the modelled 90-95% probability utilisation contours at the far eastern periphery of his range. On 07/04, Jeff began moving west, back through the centre of his range to resume normal movements within the western core area on 10/04, five days after the festival period, where he ranged for the next 18 days, thereafter resuming ranging between his two core activity areas. Emmylou The adult female Emmylou occupied the south-pointing peninsula of vegetation in the southeastern portion of the site, utilising a home range area of approximately Final report 2010 10
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 1.74ha (50% core ~0.10ha) which latterly included some of the forested area adjacent to the southern boundary of the site (Fig. 4). Emmylou was captured on 02/04, and thus the full range of her movements prior to and during the festival period is unknown. While Emmylou s movements during the festival period occurred within 50% and 90% utilisation boundaries, all locations were in the eastern-most portion of her range, with her ranging patterns subsequent to the festival period including additional areas to the west and southwest. Junior The subadult male Junior utilised a very small home range of approximately 0.17ha adjacent to the northeastern boundary of the site (Fig. 4). Junior died prior to the festival period thus no comparison of ranging behaviour was possible. Lil Fi The adult female Lil Fi utilised a home range of approximately 0.37ha in the centre of the two event areas (Fig. 4). Lil Fi died prior to the festival period thus no comparison of ranging behaviour was possible. Etta Due to the failure of Etta s collar, she was relocated on only four occasions during the festival period. Each of these locations was within her core area, which was approximated at 0.37ha within a home range of approximately 2.58ha in the southeast of the southern vegetation remnant (Fig. 5). Sonny Boy The adult male Sonny Boy occupied a home range with two centres of activity (50% core ~0.20ha, 95% utilisation ~1.24ha) (Fig. 5). The majority of the festival period was spent within the 50% core areas, with a movement from the western core to the eastern core between 30/03 and 02/04. Sonny Boy remained in his eastern core area until 10/04 and returned to the western core on 12/04 where he remained until his death on 16/04. 9874 No home range analysis was possible for the female 9874 ; this koala being relocated on only two occasions before being found dead on 29/01. it is believed her home range was centred on the narrow north-south remnant in the northern portion of the site. Recorded locations for 9874 are provided in Fig. 5. Final report 2010 11
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Ash No home range analysis was possible for the adult male Ash, who left the site immediately following capture, and appeared to exhibit home ranging behaviour within the adjacent property to the north. Ash was recaptured and his collar removed on 09/04, and was assessed at that time as being in excellent condition. Recorded locations for Ash within the vicinity of the site are provided in Fig. 5. Mortality Six of the 11 radio-collared animals died during the course of the radio-tracking program, as follows. 9874 29/01/2010, 10 days following capture, 57 days prior to festival period Junior 01/03/2010, 41 days following capture, 26 days prior to festival period Lil Fi 05/03/2010, 51 days following capture, 22 days prior to festival period Sonny Boy 16/04/2010, 93 days following capture, 6 days after festival period Renee 17/05/2010, 125 days following capture, 37 days after festival period Emmylou 28/06/2010, 87 days following capture, 79 days after festival period Genetic analysis Genotyping of samples taken from koalas captured on the site revealed low genetic diversity with an average of 3.8 alleles per locus (range 2-5) and expected heterozygosity in microsatellite variation of 49% (Appendix II). For comparison purposes, populations elsewhere in northeastern NSW to the west of the site and in areas of southeast Queensland have been determined to have between two and 17 alleles per locus with microsatellite variation of 69-80% (Lee 2010). Habitat assessment The results of the majority of koala habitat assessment have been reported elsewhere (Hopkins 2010), however a number of additional SAT sites were generated in order to obtain a more comprehensive coverage of current koala ranging patterns. In addition to the original 22 sites sampled in January 2010, eight further sites were sampled in April 2010, collectively comprising 30 sites from which 646 trees were assessed for evidence of koala utilisation. Eighty per cent of sites (24 of 30 sites) returned evidence of koala activity (at least one koala faecal pellet recorded beneath at least one tree), with activity levels at active sites ranging from 3.33% to 100% and an average activity level of 52.40 ± 6.62% (SD). Seventeen of 30 sites (56.7%) returned High or Medium activity levels (>23.52%), reflecting use of Final report 2010 12
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program that area by one or more resident koalas. Activity levels recorded at each SAT site are summarised in Appendix I. Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta and Broad-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia were the two most commonly sampled tree species, returning strikerates (i.e. percentage equivalent of the proportion of trees in the total sample that had faecal pellets recorded within the prescribed search area) of 44% and 17% respectively. Koala activity was widespread, with a number of discrete areas of high/medium activity distributed throughout vegetation remnants on the site and adjacent bushland. The majority of centres of activity determined by radio-tracking data coincided with areas identified as high or medium use through habitat sampling. Two areas of high activity in the central east-west vegetation remnant which do not overlap with known ranging patterns of radio-collared animals suggest the presence of at least one other koala resident in this area (Fig. 1). One additional animal (female with pouch young) was observed in this area on a number of occasions. The male Ash and/or the female 7894, neither of whom is still present on site may also have been responsible for some of this activity. Discussion The combination of survey, capture and radio-tracking, habitat assessment and genetic analysis have contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the status and dynamics of the koala population occupying the Bluesfest site. Approximately 57% of available habitat is currently occupied by a resident koala population utilizing the Bluesfest site and surrounds. This occupancy rate (~50%) has been demonstrated to be optimal (Phillips et al submitted) and is considered a benchmark for koala management. While clinically expressing a relatively high incidence of disease, the population appears to be stable and with a sufficient level of reproductive output. Habitat use on the site is centred around the preferred koala food tree Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta, with animals spending the majority of their time in this species, as demonstrated by both radio-tracking and habitat assessment data. The food trees Forest Red Gum E. tereticornis, Tallowwood E. microcorys and the naturally-occurring E. robusta x E. tereticornis hybrid - the E. patentinervis of Bale (1996) - are also present on the site but to a lesser extent. Koala home ranges were small, however exhibited typical spatial patterns including a Final report 2010 13
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program large proportion of overlap between home ranges of individuals; each animal s home range overlapped with at least one other, while that of Brownie the alpha-male overlapped the home ranges of at least two females and two males. Animal response to festival Although aspects of the effect of noise and other disturbances on various wildlife species have been documented, and different species are known to react differently to various disturbances, this is the first study to record and document aversive behaviour by koalas to a music festival and related activity. Of the six koalas for which adequate data was gathered to enable analysis of changes in home range use, at least four displayed ranging behaviour during the festival period that is clearly aversive. These animals generally spent a relatively large proportion of this time in the far outer-reaches of their home ranges, and in that portion of their home range furthest from and generally perpendicular to festival activity, and especially the event area itself. In three cases, koalas were recorded outside of and up to 100 metres from the outer edge of their home range area, as defined by the 95% utilisation area, during the event. While not as obvious, and less directly attributable to festival avoidance, the two koalas that did not leave their areas of core activity did appear to preferentially utilise the area furthest from the disturbance within these confines. Individual radio-tracked koalas showed some variation in their timing of response to the festival, with some animals exhibiting unusual movements that coincided with the increase in construction work and activity of heavy machinery in the days leading up to the festival, while others appeared to respond more strongly to the event itself. Koalas generally returned to their core activity areas immediately following or soon after the cessation of festival activity, suggesting a relatively short-term influence on ranging behaviour. Mortality As discussed in the previous report, the exact cause of death of the female 9874 and the subadult male Junior is unknown, 9874 exhibited signs of stress (i.e. bleating) immediately following capture & radio-collaring (despite being the easiest capture) and thus capture itself may have potentially contributed to her death. Again, Junior s cause of death was unable to be determined, however the length of time since capture suggests that the death was unrelated to capture stress. While the causes of death of the latter four animals are unknown and cannot be determined with certainty, it is possible that the combination of the animals already compromised state and festival activity contributed to the deaths of these animals. We consider this Final report 2010 14
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program particularly likely in the case of Lil Fi due to the entirety of her home range being located in an area of high traffic and intensive works immediately prior to the festival period. It is unknown to what extent development works on the site leading up to the festival period, or the festival period itself may have contributed to the mortality rate. Genetics & population management Results of genetic profiling confirmed our previous observations which suggested a koala population exhibiting signs of inbreeding that inter alia, is manifesting as small body size and associated micro-cephaly. Consequences of inbreeding depression are the compromising of immunological processes and increased susceptibility to disease and stress as well as reduced fitness of offspring (O Brien and Evermann 1988, Hedrick and Kalinowski 2000); it is to these factors that we attribute the high mortality rate observed during the radio-tracking program, more than any other. Interestingly, a concurrent radio-tracking program at Port Macquarie in which a number of koalas captured and tracked using the same protocols but were subject to the additional pressure of translocation recorded no mortalities (Phillips 2010). Recent work by Lee (2010) examining the genetics of koalas in northeast NSW and southeast Qld has also recorded inbreeding in nearby koala populations at Lismore, indicating a potentially widespread concern relevant to koala conservation across the north coast. This result introduces a new element into longer-term management of the area's koala population which potentially involves the introduction of genetically richer stock into existing populations. An appropriate management response to this issue should be formulated as a matter of priority in conjunction with DECCW and FoK. Management implications The propensity of the subject koalas to modify their patterns of behaviour in response to the festival event, along with their inherent genetic susceptibility to stressors, warrants sensitivity in the management of vegetation remnants on the site and a heightened consideration of koala welfare during future festival periods and routine site management works. The general intent of such an approach is specifically to reduce exposure of resident koalas to disturbance of any kind as far as is possible whilst allowing for continuation of the current uses of the site. We consider that this can be provided in large part by careful management of existing vegetation, as well as constraining use of the site for other activities (including any further large-scale music events) to times outside critical temporal components of the koala breeding season (Fig. 7). Final report 2010 15
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Mean calls/hr 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 J J A S O N D J F M A M Month Figure 7. Cycling of koala breeding as indicated by male calling activity based on work of Mitchell (1990). Data indicates a peak period of breeding activity covering the months of November and December. A 95% Confidence Interval for peak activity is indicated by the horizontal dashed line and infers that the months of September, October and January are also times of significant breeding activity. The majority of forest vegetation within and directly adjacent to the site was the subject of use by one or more radio-tracked koalas during the monitoring period, and is expected to remain so in the future. It is also likely that over time, new animals will begin to occupy those habitat areas formerly utilised by animals that died during the radio-tracking period. The configuration of habitat on site is such that koalas on the site are and will likely remain resident in close proximity to festival, camping and parking activity when it occurs. We suggest that a primary consideration for the welfare of resident koalas is the ability of each animal to move of its own accord and within the constraints of its home range area in order to obtain relative security and shelter for the duration of any future event(s) and associated disruptions occurring on the site. To illustrate the point, the isolation of the home range of the female Lil Fi (Fig. 4) may have been a factor in her demise, given that her ranging behaviour included an exposed and limited number of trees and did not extend into any area of vegetation that could otherwise have served as refuge. Provided linkages are retained across the site and to adjoining vegetation in the east, we consider that this option is available to the majority of animals; however augmentation of some of these linkages, particularly those currently consisting of a single row of trees, will assist in increasing their function as refuges. As a minimum we suggest augmentation and widening of those areas so indicated in Fig. 6, including the north-south linkage in the Final report 2010 16
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program north of the site, and the current single row of trees running west from the eastern boundary to the eastern boundary of the event area. In order to avoid a similar situation in the future in which a new animal establishes a home range similar to that of Lil Fi s (i.e. with no opportunity for egress from festival activity) we consider there is little option other than to remove those food trees that currently exist between the two event areas (between A and B on Fig. 6). These trees are the result of plantings, and as there is no resident koala currently utilising these trees, and the eastern-most 2-3 trees were only occasionally visited by the female RMB, we consider that the loss of this food resource, while regrettable, is nonetheless necessary and can be offset with plantings elsewhere on the site, including within RMB s current range, as outlined in recommendations below. Correlation of habitat assessment and radio-tracking data The extent of overlap between emerging ranging patterns of collared animals and medium-high-use areas detected by habitat sampling results in a confidence that the application of benign habitat assessment techniques at selected monitoring sites will be effective in determining the continued use or otherwise of the site by its resident koalas. This effectively precludes the requirement for further radio-tracking work, the resulting stress of which upon the animals we consider would not be warranted in any case. In order to detect any change in occupancy of the site by resident koalas, and as a performance indicator for the efficacy of the recommendations herein, we suggest that at least 15-20 of the initial 30 sites be randomly selected for sampling using the methods described herein prior to the 2011 festival event, and all subsequent events, with a view to determining the persistence or otherwise of a resident population at an occupancy rate that approximates 50%. Management recommendations Given the above, and in keeping with the philosophy of the corrective actionadaptive management framework required by Council s consent conditions, we consider the following recommendations necessary to effectively manage the site in a way that ensures the long-term persistence of the koala population, not just in terms of the Bluesfest event, but also for any additional events that may be contemplated in the future. Final report 2010 17
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Management of koala habitat 1. Augmentation of koala habitat is to be carried out within (but not limited to) those areas identified on Fig. 6 with an aim to widening of linkages in key areas which currently consist of narrow linear strips of vegetation. Gap-filling where weed removal has taken place is also to be prioritised. i) Planting is to commence prior to removal of trees referred to in recommendation 2. ii) Plantings are to result in a minimum doubling of the density of preferred koala food trees at any given location within those areas indicated in red in Fig. 6. iii) Plantings are to be maintained by Bluesfest; maintenance including sufficient weed control and watering to ensure establishment, and replacement of unsuccessful plantings as necessary. iv) Plantings are to include a minimum 50% preferred koala food trees (Swamp Mahogany, Forest Red Gum, Tallowwood), with the balance comprised of locally-occurring swamp sclerophyll forest species, from locally-sourced stock. 2. Removal of Swamp Mahogany trees from the event area (those trees located between A and B in Fig. 6) is to be undertaken prior to the 2011 Bluesfest event. i) Removal of trees cannot be undertaken until compensatory plantings have been established. ii) Trees to be removed must be thoroughly inspected for the presence of koalas prior to removal. The presence of a koala in a tree will require the cessation of tree removal works until the koala has moved out of the area between A and B in Fig. 6 of its own volition. 3. Fencing of all koala habitat on site is to be established as soon as possible and well prior to preliminary site works for the 2011 festival. 4. No removal of or disturbance to vegetation remnants is to be permitted with the exception of trimming of branches overhanging roadways. Dogs 5. With the exception of vision-impaired, security and/or drug enforcement requirements, a prohibition on the presence of domestic dogs is to apply on the site during all events. Dogs present on the site for purposes of routine agricultural activity must be suitably restrained when not actively undertaking agricultural duties. Final report 2010 18
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Operational provisions 6. Should use of the site for other events within that period of time known to be the koala breeding season (between September and January inclusive) be contemplated, any such events must not be of Bluesfest magnitude, and additionally constrained by way of the following provisions. i) During the two (2) month period of peak breeding activity (November December), any use of the site for other events is to be restricted to daylight hours only and to noise levels not significantly greater than that of ambient conditions. ii) During the three (3) months of September, October and January, use of the site for other events must be limited to one-day events only, with no amplified music or other loud noise (significantly greater than ambient conditions) between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (EST). 7. Prior to use of heavy machinery on the site, an inspection of any forest vegetation remnant within a distance of 25m for koalas is to be undertaken. The presence of a koala will necessitate a koala exclusion area (25m disturbance free area) to be enforced when machinery is operating in close proximity to a koala on the site. 8. Any permanent fencing able to restrict koala movement is to be located so as to minimise the restriction of koala movement within vegetation remnants and across the site. i) Climbing poles are to be installed at strategic locations along any such fencing in order to facilitate crossing of fences by koalas. ii) Bluesfest is to seek advice regarding the location of fencing and climbing poles prior to installation. Community education 9. The promotion and raising of awareness of koalas should be included as an integral component of all future festivals, including specific mention on the Bluesfest website, and potentially including a koala display stand during festival events (to promote participant awareness). i) Bluesfest is to liaise with Friends of the Koala Inc. to facilitate the above. ii) An information sheet should be developed for Bluesfest staff and Festival participants advising them of the significance of the site s koala population and protocols to be adopted in the event of a koala encounter. Final report 2010 19
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2011 & 2012 koala habitat assessments 10. A minimum of 15 20 monitoring points are to be reassessed for koala activity no later than 3 months prior to bump-in stages for Bluesfest 2011 and 2012 festival periods. i) Monitoring points must be selected randomly from those provided in Appendix I of this report, ii) Monitoring is to be undertaken by a suitably qualified and/or accredited koala ecologist with experience in application and interpretation of SAT methodology. iii) A report detailing the results of the above and any significant change in occupancy rate from the previous years monitoring is to be prepared by the ecologist referred to in i) above, prior to the festival event and forwarded to Byron Shire Council, DECCW, Department of Planning and Friends of the Koala Inc. Population management 11. Bluesfest is to support, through sharing of data contained in monitoring reports and property access, the preparation of a formal management strategy for population augmentation should it be agreed that this course of action is both appropriate and required in order to augment the existing gene pool. Final report 2010 20
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program References Bale, C. L. 1996. Eucalypts and Angophoras of the North Coast New South Wales. A key to the indigenous species. Department of Botany, University of New England, Armidale. Doyle, T. 2008. Koala Plan of Management. Proposed festival site Lot 103, 104 & 105 Pacific Highway Tyagarah. Unpublished report, Conacher Environmental Group. Hedrick P.W. and Kalinowski S.T. 2000. Inbreeding depression in conservation biology. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 31: 139-162 Hooge, P. N.and Eichenlaub, B. 1997. Animal movement extension to arcview. ver. 1.1. Alaska Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK, USA. Hopkins, M. 2009. Koala habitat and monitoring program. Bluesfest 2010. Unpublished report to Bluesfest Pty Ltd. Biolink Ecological Consultants. Landmark Ecological Services. 2004. Assessment of Conservation Values Lots 103 105 DP1023126. Unpublished report Landpartners. 2007. Flora and Fauna Assessment Lots 103 105 DP1023126, Tyagarah. Unpublished report. Lee, K. 2010. Conservation genetics of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Queensland and Northeast New South Wales. PhD Thesis, University of Queensland. Mitchell, P. (1990). Social behaviour and communication of koalas. Pp. 151-170 in A. K. Lee, K. A. Handasyde, and G. D. Sanson (Eds) Biology of the Koala Surrey Beatty and Sons, NSW. O Brien S. J. and Evermann J. F. 1988 Interactive influence of infectious disease and genetic diversity in natural populations. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 3: 254-259 Phillips, S. in press. Development of a lightweight, portable trap for capturing freeranging Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus. Australian Zoologist. Phillips, S. 2010. Translocation of koalas from habitat in the path of the approved Oxley Highway Deviation to the Lake Innes State Conservation Area. Unpublished report to NSW Roads and Traffic Authority. Biolink Ecological Consultants. Phillips, S. and Callaghan, J. in press. The Spot Assessment Technique: a tool for determining levels of localised habitat use by Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus. Australian Zoologist. Final report 2010 21
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program Phillips, S. and Hopkins, M. 2010. Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management for Eastern Portion of Kempsey Shire LGA. Unpublished report to Kempsey Shire Council. Biolink Ecological Consultants Phillips, S., Hopkins, M. and Callaghan, J. 2007. Koala habitat and population assessment for Gold Coast City LGA. Unpublished report to Gold Coast City Council. Phillips, S., Hopkins, M. and Warnken, J. Splines in the sand: Modelling metapopulation structure across the landscape to provide greater planning certainty for an arboreal marsupial (Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Goldfuss). Submitted to Landscape and Urban Planning. Seaman, D.E., Millspaugh, J.J., Kernohan, B.J., Brundidge, G.C., Raedke, K.J. & Gitzen, R.A. 1999. Effects of sample size on kernel home range estimators. Journal of Wildlife Management 63: 739 747. Final report 2010 22
BF 16 BF 13!H!H BF 17 BF 14!H BF 21!H BF 19 BF 31 BLUESFEST KOALA MONITORING 2010 Activity level!h High/Medium Low Site boundary!h BF 23 BF 30!H BF 22!H BF 24 BF 15 BF 20 BF 9!H BF 25 BF 10!H BF 26 BF 11!H BF 32 BF 27!H BF 35 BF 33!H BF 5!H BF 37!H BF 28 BF 6!H BF 29 BF 34!H BF 7!H BF 36 Imagery supplied by Peter Parker Environmental Consultants. 4 0 50 100 200 300 Metres Biolink Ecological Consultants PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 T 02 6679 5593 F 02 6679 5523 www.biolink.com.au Figure 1. Location of assessment/monitoring sites and activity levels recorded during habitat assessment This map remains the property of Biolink Pty Ltd and should not be reproduced without permission. Cartographic detail may not be accurate when used for survey purposes.
BLUESFEST KOALA MONITORING 2010 #* #* #* #*#* #*#*#* #* "Brownie" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #* #*#* 90% UD 95% UD "Renee" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "RMB" #*#* #* #*#*#*#*#* #*#* #* #* #*#* Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD Imagery supplied by Peter Parker Environmental Consultants. 4 0 50 100 200 300 Metres Biolink Ecological Consultants PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 T 02 6679 5593 F 02 6679 5523 www.biolink.com.au Figure 3. Koala locations and home ranges (utilisation distribution areas (UD)) of radio-tracked koalas during the festival period and non-festival period. This map remains the property of Biolink Pty Ltd and should not be reproduced without permission. Cartographic detail may not be accurate when used for survey purposes.
#* #* #* #* #* #*#* #* #* #* #* #* #* #*#* #*#* #*#* #*#* #* #* BLUESFEST KOALA MONITORING 2010 "Jeff" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "Emmylou" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "Junior" Non-festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "Li' lfi" Non-festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD Imagery supplied by Peter Parker Environmental Consultants. 4 0 50 100 200 300 Metres Biolink Ecological Consultants PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 T 02 6679 5593 F 02 6679 5523 www.biolink.com.au Figure 4. Koala locations and home ranges (utilisation distribution areas (UD)) of radio-tracked koalas during the festival period and non-festival period. This map remains the property of Biolink Pty Ltd and should not be reproduced without permission. Cartographic detail may not be accurate when used for survey purposes.
BLUESFEST KOALA MONITORING 2010 "Sonny Boy" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "Etta" Non-festival #* Festival 50% UD 90% UD 95% UD "9874" "Ash" #*#* #* #* #* #* #* #*#*#*#*#* #* #*#*#* #* Imagery supplied by Peter Parker Environmental Consultants. 4 0 50 100 200 300 Metres Biolink Ecological Consultants PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 T 02 6679 5593 F 02 6679 5523 www.biolink.com.au Figure 5. Koala locations and home ranges (utilisation distribution areas (UD)) of radio-tracked koalas during the festival period and non-festival period. This map remains the property of Biolink Pty Ltd and should not be reproduced without permission. Cartographic detail may not be accurate when used for survey purposes.
BLUESFEST KOALA MONITORING 2010 Habitat augmentation A B Biolink Ecological Consultants PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 T 02 6679 5593 F 02 6679 5523 www.biolink.com.au Figure 6. Areas for habitat augmentation (indicated in red) and tree removal (between markers A and B). Imagery supplied by Peter Parker Environmental Consultants. 4 0 50 100 200 300 Metres This map remains the property of Biolink Pty Ltd and should not be reproduced without permission. Cartographic detail may not be accurate when used for survey purposes.
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Appendix I Location coordinates, number of trees sampled during 2010 sampling and resulting activity levels at assessment/monitoring sites on the Bluesfest site. Site Easting Northing Trees Activity Activity sampled level category BF 5 553678 6837466 15 66.67 High BF 6 553928 6837417 30 20.00 Low BF 7 554216 6837353 14 85.70 High BF 9 553609 6837762 29 10.34 Low BF 10 553865 6837701 30 10.00 Low BF 11 554150 6837717 25 0.00 Low BF 13 553511 6838040 30 3.33 Low BF 14 553816 6838030 16 68.75 High BF 15 554267 6837943 29 13.80 Low BF 16 553411 6838384 27 0.00 Low BF 17 553839 6838284 13 76.92 High BF 19 554210 6838212 10 100.00 High BF 20 553382 6837672 25 0.00 Low BF 21 553859 6838135 30 30.00 Medium BF 22 553925 6837869 13 92.31 High BF 23 553592 6837934 14 71.43 High BF 24 554173 6837830 12 100.00 High BF 25 553730 6837736 13 76.90 High BF 26 554006 6837708 18 61.10 High BF 27 553752 6837569 28 7.14 Low BF 28 553820 6837441 18 61.10 High BF 29 554089 6837370 17 64.70 High BF 30 553702 6837888 30 0.00 Low BF 31 554246 6838096 28 10.71 Low BF 32 554220 6837684 22 50.00 High BF 33 554229 6837556 26 0.00 Low BF 34 554185 6837447 27 0.00 Low BF 35 554069 6837562 30 26.66 Medium BF 36 554205 6837274 12 83.33 High BF 37 553741 6837368 15 66.66 High Final report 2010 28
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Appendix II Genetic Analysis Final report 2010 29
Genetic diversity summary for koala samples from Bluefest, NSW Sample size = 9 Number of alleles = 2-5 per locus, average = 3.8 Locus 1 (Phc-1) 3 alleles Locus 2 (Phc-2) 2 alleles Locus 3 (Phc-4) 3 alleles Locus 4 (Phc-11) 4 alleles Locus 5 (Phc-13) 5 alleles Locus 6 (Phc-25) 5 alleles Expected heterozygosity = 0.49 Unique alleles One allele at Locus 1 (Phc-1) was not found in any other Southeast Queensland population or the 115 samples from Lismore area. This allele was present in 3 koalas. One allele at Locus 6 (Phc-25) was not found in any of the Lismore koalas, but was found in other SE QLD koala populations. This allele was found in 1 koala.
Sample Phc-1 Phc-2 Phc-4 Phc-11 Phc-13 Phc-25 2748 99 116 154 154 104 104 150 150 114 114 118 148 2749 99 116 154 158 104 104 150 151 112 114 146 148 2750 99 112 154 158 104 104 150 150 110 114 143 148 2751 99 99 154 154 104 104 150 173 114 114 118 148 2752 99 116 154 158 104 108 150 150 110 114 146 148 2754 99 99 154 158 104 104 150 173 110 114 118 148 2755 97 99 154 154 104 108 150 175 114 129 118 152 2756 99 99 154 158 104 106 150 175 110 114 118 148 2759 99 99 158 158 104 104 150 150 110 118 118 148 # of homozygous Sample loci 2748 4 2749 1 2750 2 2751 4 2752 1 2754 2 2755 1 2756 1 2759 4
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Appendix III Preliminary monitoring report (March 2010) Final report 2010 32
Koala habitat assessment and monitoring program Bluesfest 2010 Preliminary (baseline) monitoring report March 2010
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Project Team Principal Senior Ecologist Field Staff Stephen Phillips Marama Hopkins Dan Pollard, Wayne Foster, Sue Phillips Project Manager: Marama Hopkins 0401 230 879 On-site koala staff: Dan Pollard 0407 886 296 Document Control Version Date Draft 1 Prepared by M. Hopkins 3 rd March 2010 Reviewed by S. Phillips 3 rd March 2010 Final Prepared by M. Hopkins 30 th March 2010 Preliminary monitoring report 2
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Introduction Bluesfest Pty Ltd will be utilising land at Tyagarah otherwise known as Lots 103-105, Pacific Highway, Tyagarah (hereafter referred to as the site) for purposes of a five day (1 st 5 th April, 2010) music festival and thereafter on an annual basis for a minimum period of a further two years. Previous surveys by Landpartners (2007) and Landmark (2004) recorded use of the site by koalas, with the most recent work by Conacher Environmental Group identifying all three forest types within the site as core koala habitat (Doyle 2008). An approved Koala Plan of Management (KPoM) is in place for the site, with a further program of koala habitat assessment and monitoring of individual koalas on the site through radio-tracking being required as a condition of consent. A monitoring program prepared by Biolink (2009) and approved by Council commenced in January 2010. Additional consent conditions required the preparation of draft and final baseline monitoring reports prior to the event. This document constitutes a response to the above requirement and thus comprises methodologies and preliminary results of initial stages of the koala monitoring program currently operating on the site. Methodology Koala habitat assessment The site was overlain with a regular grid at 125m spacings with sampling points selected where they intersected areas of native vegetation. Additional sites were inserted where necessary to obtain adequate sampling within linear vegetation patches. Each point was sampled using the SAT technique of Phillips and Callaghan (submitted), involving searches for koala fecal pellets beneath a prescribed number of trees in a radial assessment. Capture & radio-tracking Koalas were located through targeted searches within remnant vegetation on the site as well as adjacent bushland areas to the east of the site. Search effort was focused on locating animals residing within those areas of the site proposed to be utilised for festival activity. Preliminary monitoring report 3
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Animals were captured by flagging or by koala trap, anesthetized upon capture using the anesthetic Alfaxan RCU and subjected to a full health assessment (sex, weight, age, condition score, reproductive status, Chlamydial and Koala Retro-virus (KoRV). During this process each koala was fitted with an orange ear tag and radio-collar and was released back into the tree from which it was captured. Animals were assigned names for ease of communication and reporting. Each koala was located daily for the initial five days following capture and thereafter every 2-3 days. Results & discussion Koala habitat assessment Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) sampling was undertaken between 11 th and 21 st January 2010. Twenty two sites were formally sampled, within which 456 trees were searched for koala faecal pellets, with 19 sites returning evidence of use by koalas. More than half of the sites (13 of 22) returned koala activity above the threshold level (22.52%) known to reflect use by resident koalas (core koala habitat) (Table 1). The distribution of sampling locations and associated activity levels across the site is provided in Fig. 1. Table 1. Results of koala habitat assessment at SAT sites throughout the festival site. Site Trees sampled Activity level Activity category Bf 5 15 66.67 High Bf 6 30 20.00 Medium Bf 7 14 85.70 High Bf 9 29 10.34 Low Bf 10 30 10.00 Low Bf 11 25 0.00 Low Bf 13 30 3.33 Low Bf 14 16 68.75 High Bf 15 29 13.80 Low Bf 16 27 0.00 Low Bf 17 13 76.92 High Bf 19 10 100.00 High Bf 20 25 0.00 Low Bf 21 30 30.00 Medium Bf 22 13 92.31 High Bf 23 14 71.43 High Preliminary monitoring report 4
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Bf 24 12 100.00 High Bf 25 13 76.90 High Bf 26 18 61.10 High Bf 27 28 7.14 Low Bf 28 18 61.10 High Bf 29 17 64.70 High Capture & radio-tracking Four male and five female koalas were captured within the festival area boundaries between 12 th and 20 th January 2010. An additional male was captured and collared on 20 th March 2010. Age classes of captured animals suggest a demographically stable population, with the majority of animals in good condition but also expressing clinical signs of disease in the form of wetbottom and/or conjunctival scarring. One female (RMB) is carrying pouch young. An additional female, also with pouch young, has also recently been detected within the festival area and is yet to be captured. A summary of details of captured koalas are provided in Table 2, notable amongst which are the generally small body weights of resident animals. Table 2. Details of radio-collared animals captured to date. No. loci to date refers to number of independent daily fixes thus far recorded for each animal as at 29 th March, 2010. Name Sex Weight (kg) Age Home range size (ha) No. loci to date Ash M 5.2 4-10 Etta F 5 7 1.9 23 Jeff M 7.8-1.9 40 Junior M 2.5 2 0.2 21 Lil Fi F 3.8 4-5 0.1 26 RMB F 5.5 4 4.5 34 Renee F - 4 0.5 37 Sonny Boy M 7.5 5 1.0 39 Unnamed female F 5.0 7-8 Brownie M 7.8 4 3.0 9 With the exception of the newly-caught male (Brownie), between eight and 40 loci have been recorded for each animal during the radio-tracking period thus far; the data providing a good illustration of ranging behaviour. A preliminary representation of the home range of those koalas exhibiting home-ranging behaviour is provided in Fig. 2 by way of minimum convex polygons (MCP) encapsulating all loci obtained for each animal to date. With the exception of Ash and Brownie, movements of radio-collared koalas have been generally Preliminary monitoring report 5
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 small, with animals exhibiting relatively sedentary ranging patterns, and the majority of animals displaying repeated use of trees within the areas bounded by these polygons. Home range estimates for individual koalas range from 0.1 (Lil Fi) to 4.5 (RMB) hectares, with some overlap between animals. Such patterns are indicative of well-established home ranges and confirm that these animals (with the exception of Ash) are resident on the site. Brownie s movements within the days preceding this report have been large, which suggests, along with his weight and behaviour, that he is an alpha male whose range potentially occupies a large proportion of the site, and will prove to be a valuable addition to the program. The distribution of ranging behaviour of koalas in the program thus far along with activity recorded during koala habitat assessments confirms that the majority of vegetation on the site is currently utilised by resident koalas (core koala habitat). The koalas discussed in the preceding paragraphs represent only those that are either wholly or partially making use of that area of the property intended to be used for the festival. We advise that we are aware of at least a further eight or nine koalas residing within vegetation at the edges of the property to the south, north and east. Thus we estimate a local population of at least 20 30 koalas in the immediate area of the festival site, collectively comprising a locally significant resident koala population, one that has not been widely documented, and the extent of which is currently unknown. Detailed analysis of the correlation between SAT activity and radio-tracking data is yet to be done, however preliminary results show a good overlap between emerging ranging patterns of collared animals and high-use areas detected by SAT sampling. This data also highlights some areas in which high koala activity was recorded but which receive no visitation from collared animals. Sightings of animals not yet included in the tracking program tend to coincide with these areas of high activity, suggesting that SAT sampling has provided an excellent indication of the location of the majority of animals utilising the site. Preliminary monitoring report 6
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Radio-tracking program issues Three deaths have occurred during the program; one female (unnamed) was found dead 10 days following capture, while Junior (male) was found dead 41 days following capture. The death of Lil Fi was recorded on 5 th March 2010, 51 days following capture. The exact cause of death of the unnamed female is unknown, however this animal exhibited signs of stress (i.e. bleating) immediately following capture & radio-collaring (despite being the easiest capture) and thus capture itself may have potentially contributed to her death. Again, Junior s cause of death was unable to be determined, however the length of time since capture suggests that the death was unrelated to capture stress; a large puncture wound was also evident above the sternum gland. Upon capture, the female Lil Fi was exhibiting clinical signs of disease, namely chronic wet-bottom and relatively poor overall condition. It is possible that her already compromised state combined with the disturbance of her home range being located in an area of high traffic and intensive works contributed to her death. The exact cause however cannot be determined with certainty and thus must remain speculative. With the exception of those animals described above, observational data suggests that the health status of individual animals remains unchanged, or in the case of the female Renee, potentially slightly improved. Collar failure has occurred in two instances, requiring the initial recapture of the koala RMB, with subsequent recapture following her removal of the collar. The female Etta s transmitter has also failed, and recapture and replacement is required. Recapture of the male koala Ash is also required, as this koala moved off the site into adjacent habitat to the north immediately following capture and has remained at distances of approximately 400m from the northern boundary of the site. Ash s inclusion in the radio-tracking program is adding little to data regarding use of the site by koalas and thus the transmitter will be removed from this animal as soon as possible. Preliminary monitoring report 7
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Management considerations Protection of koala habitat The majority of animals utilising the site exhibit ranging behaviour which at times places them in close proximity to festival, camping or parking activity. Due to their ranging patterns being focused primarily on larger habitat patches, this is not expected to impact adversely on most animals, however we consider that the proximity of construction and festival activity to individual koalas ranges in some areas of the site is of concern and warrants comment at this stage. The installation of fencing around vegetation on the site as outlined in the KPoM and Biodiversity Conservation Management Plan was expected to effectively minimise access/disturbance to the majority of koala habitat areas during festival activity, with the suggested 20m buffer considered appropriate. Throughout much of the site some buffering has been achieved, however fencing has not been installed uniformly across the site, with some critical areas of vegetation remaining unfenced at the date of this report, allowing thoroughfare and parking in close proximity. The upgrade and formation of new roads in some areas has occurred immediately abutting vegetation and resulted in some incursion into habitat areas and disturbance to individual trees during pre-festival works, particularly notable within and to the west of the festival area itself, where such activity potentially contributed to the decline of the koala Lil Fi, as discussed above. This area also coincides with at least one other koala s home range. The lack of detail in preceding koala reports has resulted also in the poorlyinformed placement of temporary fencing in the central western portion of the site, in which a resident female with pouch young is resident. As this animal has not been fitted with a radio collar, the extent of her home range is currently undefined, and it is possible that temporary fencing erected to date will inhibiting any movement to the north. Ideally the location and extent of koala ranging activity would have been determined well within the preplanning stages of the festival, and formed a key consideration during site Preliminary monitoring report 8
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 layout design and prior to pre-festival works, whereupon such impacts could have been avoided. While assisted restoration as proposed by the BCMP will improve the site s ability to support koala population in the long-term, this management action also has not taken place prior to the 2010 event. Establishing restoration works as soon as possible post-festival will help define Vegetation Protection Areas and assist in buffering of koala habitat prior to future events. Dogs Given the known threat of dogs to koalas and the distribution of koalas on the site it is considered inappropriate for dogs to be present on the site at any time before, during or after the festival, for any purpose (other than those required for visually-impaired patrons). The prohibition of dogs on the festival site is an appropriate inclusion into koala management provisions for the site. Population management Observations to date strongly suggest a koala population that is manifesting signs of inbreeding, notably small body size and associated micro-cephaly; we also suspect that the population may also be immunologically compromised as a direct consequence of inbreeding. At this stage we have arranged DNA profiling of the population to investigate this issue further, based on tissue samples taken from the captured animals. This hypothesis (i.e. inbreeding) will introduce a new element into longer-term management of the area's koala population. Regardless, the size of the local population in this instance mandates that investigations are warranted, as is a precautionary management approach, certainly more so than is currently being afforded, and thus its management in the context of future events will need to be elevated accordingly. Interim recommendations Although the timing of this work has precluded the ability of any recommendations to have significant bearing on festival operations for the Preliminary monitoring report 9
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 2010 event, we provide the following in relation to during-festival management and the future direction of the radio-tracking program. 1. Radio-tracking of radio-collared animals should continue as proposed. 2. The koala Ash is to be removed from the program, with recapture and collar removal as soon as possible. 3. Additional animals utilising the site shall be incorporated into the program as opportunity arises prior to the festival event. 4. Installation of fencing surrounding all areas of koala habitat is supported. 5. Signage shall be utilised in combination with fencing informing of the purpose of such fencing during the festival. 6. Koala staff shall be present on-site throughout the duration of festival events in order to respond to koala incidents (contact numbers provided at the front of this report). Long-term management recommendations Given the number of koalas and the distribution of their activity on the site, management of the site s koala population needs to be an integral consideration during planning for subsequent festivals. In keeping with the philosophy of the corrective action-adaptive management framework required by Council s consent conditions, and drawing on preliminary observations of the lead-up to the 2010 Bluesfest event, we offer some recommendations with the aim of improving management of festival operations in order to minimise their impact on koalas during staging of future events. It is expected that these issues will be discussed in further detail in future reports. 1. Fencing and/or other delineation of buffers to all koala habitat on site is to be established as soon as possible and well prior to preliminary site works for the 2011 festival. Preliminary monitoring report 10
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 2. The proposed rehabilitation works are to commence as soon as possible including widening of narrow linear strips of vegetation particularly in the central portions of the site. 3. A complete prohibition on the presence of domestic dogs on the site. 4. The need for koala exclusion areas (e.g. 25m disturbance free areas) to be enforced when machinery is operating in close proximity to a koala on the site. 5. The promotion and raising of awareness of koalas should be included as an integral component of all future festivals, including specific mention on the Bluesfest website, and potentially including a koala display stand during festival events (to promote participant awareness). 6. An information sheet should be developed for Bluesfest staff and Festival participants advising them of protocols to be adopted in the event of a koala encounter. 7. A formal management strategy/response will need to be developed in the event that suspected inbreeding is confirmed. Preliminary monitoring report 11
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Figure 1. SAT sampling sites and associated koala activity levels. Preliminary monitoring report 12
biolink Bluesfest koala assessment & monitoring program 2010-2012 Figure 2. Loci and home range estimates (minimum convex polygons) for radiotracked koalas. Preliminary monitoring report 13