Woylies moved to help beat predators

About 80 critically endangered woylies have been moved from the Department of Parks and Wildlife Perup sanctuary near Manjimup to help save the species from extinction.

About half of the small marsupials have been taken to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s wildlife sanctuaries at Mount Gibson and Karakamia at Chidlow.

The remaining woylies have been transported to Dryandra Woodland, near Narrogin.

One young male – who has been taken to Mount Gibson – was found in the Warrup forest as a baby and was taken to Maroo Wildlife Refuge where he was cared for.

The founder of the refuge, Jo Burston, said the woylie had been rehabilitated to prepare him for his release back into the wild.

“It is important we don’t humanise them. When they are released they need to be wild and able to fend for themselves,” she said.

“There is a lot of pleasure in releasing these animals back into their natural habitat – that is our aim.

“These guys are incredibly important to the ecosystem.

“They play an important part in seed dispersal and increasing soil and nutrient turnover with their diggings.

“Woylies could assist in preventing bushfires because they can bury large amounts of leafs very quickly.”

Environmental Minister Albert Jacob said the recovery effort of the woylies had been part of the State Government’s Western Shield wildlife conservation program.

“The Perup Sanctuary supports the most genetically diverse woylie population in the State and the transfer of the marsupials is part of conservation efforts focused on establishing insurance populations across a range of locations,” he said.

“The wild population remain vulnerable to predation by foxes, cats and potential disease outbreaks.”

The woylie population is estimated to be less than 20,000 in Australia.