Endangered species find refuge on predator-free Wedge Island, Australia. The protected area offers species a chance to bounce back from extinction. 

The Critically Endangered Brush-tailed Bettong and Black-footed Rock Wallaby used to thrive in Australia. However, due largely to predatory invasive species such as feral cats and foxes on Mainland Australia, these mammals have experienced significant population declines. Conservationists have transported small populations of these mammals to Australia’s Wedge Island, which is free of predators.

This is not the first time native, endangered species have been moved to islands for protection; because islands are isolated, unnatural predators that prowl the mainland cannot get there (unless they are transported by people). Furthermore, because they are often small in area, researchers can survey the land and confirm the presence or absence of invasive species. Once an island is confirmed safe, conservationists can release vulnerable species there with confidence that they will not be threatened by the invasive species living on the mainland.

Motion-activated cameras stationed around the island allow conservationists to monitor the ecosystem. The cameras have captured images of a great diversity of fauna. The high level of biodiversity the researchers are seeing on Wedge Island reinforces the importance of keeping islands free of invasive species. It also reflects the success of introducing endangered mainland animals to such predator-free island refuges.

As the native Australian species thrive, so does the island itself. Not only are the Brush-tailed Bettong and the Black-footed Rock Wallaby populations improving, but native vegetation is also making a comeback. In the past, sheep were introduced to Wedge Island and overgrazing damaged the natural habitat. Now the island is recovering from the damaged caused by overgrazing.

Brush-tailed Bettong. By Gerry Ellis/minden/Getty

Adrian Manning, a researcher at Australian National University says:

If it wasn’t for these islands, a lot more species would have gone extinct. Foxes and cats are so pervasive on the mainland and we still have a lot to learn about how to control them.

Researchers acknowledge that there is a lot to learn when it comes to relocating endangered species, especially in terms of how it affects the islands’ ecosystems. So far, the recovery rates of endangered species have been promising. Islands have proven to be instrumental in preventing extinctions, and their ecosystems have proven to be resilient, capable of recovering once invasive species are removed.

Feature photo: Black-footed Rock Wallaby by Matt Francey (Adapted to include text.)

Read the original article at New Scientist