Thanks to your generous support, the return of the Red-tailed Phascogale to the Gawler Ranges is showing promising signs of success – one year on from the first wild release.
Since April 2024, 102 phascogales have been reintroduced into this Bounceback-managed Safer Haven. The first wild-born babies were recorded in winter – a vital and encouraging milestone. By November, some of these young were captured as sub-adults during surveys, reinforcing hopes for a self-sustaining population.
This reintroduction is part of the Three Safer Havens initiative, a coordinated conservation effort to establish secure wild populations of threatened species by reducing key threats like feral predators. In the Gawler Ranges, Red-tailed Phascogales are being reintroduced, supported by targeted cat and fox control, habitat restoration, and ongoing monitoring making it a stronghold for recovery.
Surveys continue to detect phascogales using nest boxes, and in May this year, a further 30 individuals were released just prior to breeding season. A captive breeding group at Cleland Wildlife Park is also being maintained to support future releases.
Feral predator control remains essential. While cat numbers are currently low in the core release area, recent operations have removed cats and foxes across the broader landscape, and Felixers have been used humanely to target remaining individuals in high-risk areas.
Even native predators have shown interest – several were captured on camera investigating nest boxes. Thankfully, the phascogales were safely sheltering in their own chosen hollows at the time.
Thanks to you, this remarkable marsupial is getting the second chance it deserves.
For more or to make a donation, visit the project page of the website.