Patterns of habitat use by three threatened mammals 10 years after reintroduction into a fenced reserve free of introduced predators

摘要

Introduced predators are a major driver of global biodiversity loss. Over the last 200 years, the distribution and abundance of critical-weight-range mammals in Australia has declined, with many species now locally extinct or confined to small isolated refuges. From 2004 onwards as part of a major conservation initiative, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy reintroduced three threatened mammal species, the Greater Bilby (Macrons lagotis), Bridled Nailtail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) and Numbat (Myrrnecobitts fctsciatus), into an 8000-hectare area protected by conservation fencing at Scotia Sanctuary in semi-arid New South Wales. Our study examined habitat selection for these species following multiple generations in a fenced area free of introduced predators.