Help Save Manly's Bandicoots from Extinction

Volunteers needed to help protect Manly’s native bandicoots from attack by predators and save them from extinction.

Volunteers and families needed for bandicoot watch at North Head in 2011!
 

Dates:
Sat    22 Oct
Sat    5 Nov
Fri-Sun 18 -20 Nov (Family weekend)
Thurs    24 Nov
Thurs    1 Dec
Sat    10 Dec

Join a one-day team for only $49

Why not bring the family along?

A family weekend is available on Nov 18-20 which gives you and your family a taste of life of in the research field. Enjoy the special privilege of camping inside the stunning North Head Sanctuary while helping save the long-nosed bandicoot from extinction.

This is a great hands-on family learning experience and allow kids as young as 10 to join in on the fun!

Join a family weekend team for $195 adult, $155 child age 10-17

Funds will go towards this valuable research.

Conservation group Earthwatch Australia www.earthwatch.org.au is calling on residents and families to join the bandicoot watch to help protect long-nosed bandicoots at North Head, Manly from extinction.

The Bandicoots on the Brink conservation project was established in 2010, with over 50 good samaritans volunteering to become a Scientist for a Day to protect the endangered bandicoot from introduced predators.

“The teams were so successful last year we have decided to run more teams in 2011 and to bring families into the mix so that children can experience what real field science is all about with their parents”, Richard Gilmore, Executive Director, Earthwatch.

>>Read a Firsthand Account of a Bandicoot Conservation Enthusiast

Teams of volunteers, led by Wildlife Ecologist Nelika Hughes, use sent lures to attract and then film bandicoot predators on hidden cameras throughout North Head Sanctuary. GPS is also used to locate and collect cameras, record habitats and analyse footage captured.

Last year volunteers discovered a range of predators (rats, cats and dogs) as well as blue-tongue lizards, brushtail and ringtail possums, eastern water dragons and a total of 15 long-nosed bandicoots. An echidna was also spotted; a surprise given there has only been one sighting on the headlands before.

“So far the research has shown that surprisingly black rats are active during the day as well as at night, bandicoots and brushtail possums only during hours of darkness and cats and dogs only during the day,” Nelika Hughes, Wildlife Ecologist, Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Bandicoots were abundant throughout Sydney until the 1960's. Since then, however, their numbers have declined dramatically because of habitat loss due to urban development and the effects of cars and introduced predators. It’s estimated that there are only 80 long-nosed bandicoots remaining in the area.

The bandicoots’ research is designed to deepen the understanding of how feral predators affect threatened native animals living within urban landscapes. The findings will enable conservation managers to develop predator control strategies and community education programs, to ensure the long-term survival of the bandicoot.

Join a ‘Bandicoots on the Brink’ team for just $49 and spend a fulfilling day learning about conservation and contributing to your local community. Call Earthwatch on 03 9682 6828 or visit www.earthwatch.org.au  

Your money will go towards this valuable conservation research to ensure this important conservation continues in the future.

Details: Bandicoots on the Brink

Help Save Sydney’s Bandicoots from Extinction

Protect North Head’s (Manly, Sydney) native bandicoots from attack by introduced predators and save them from extinction.

Spend the day in the hidden wonders of the spectacular North Head Sanctuary to lure and catch bandicoot predators on camera alongside the expertise of Wildlife Ecologist Dr Nelika Hughes. Volunteers of this one-day expedition will  use remote sensor, infrared cameras and scent lures to attract and film predators,  use GPS to record habitats, and analyse footage recorded.

Join a one-day team for only $49

Why not bring the family along?

A family weekend is available on Nov 18-20 which gives you and your family a taste of life of in the research field. Enjoy the special privilege of camping inside the stunning North Head Sanctuary while helping save the long-nosed bandicoot from extinction.

This is a great hands-on family learning experience and allow kids as young as 10 to join in on the fun!

Join a family weekend team for $195 adult, $155 child age 10-17

Funds will go towards this valuable research.

Dates:
Sat    22 Oct
Sat    5 Nov
Fri-Sun 18 -20 Nov (Family weekend)
Thurs    24 Nov
Thurs    1 Dec
Sat    10 Dec

 To register: Call Earthwatch 03 9682 6828