The non-human animal deaths and injuries that result from collisions with motor vehicles are known colloquially as roadkill, and often lead to individuals from various taxa being orphaned. The complexities of multiple spatial and temporal variables in the available data on Australian roadkill and the scale of orphaning and injury make statistical analysis difficult. However, data that offer proxy measures of the roadkill problem suggest a conservative estimate of 4 million Australian mammalian roadkill per year. Also, Australian native mammals are mainly marsupial, so female casualties can have surviving young in their pouches, producing an estimated 560 000 orphans per year. A conservative estimate is that up to 50 000 of these are rescued, rehabilitated and released by volunteer wildlife carers. These roadkill-associated orphans are in addition to those produced by other anthropogenic and natural events and the injured adult animals in the care of volunteers. In accepting total responsibility for rescued animals, wildlife carers face many demands. Their knowledge base can require days of initial instruction with the need for continual updates, and their physical abilities and personal health can be tested by sleepless nights, demanding manual tasks and zoonoses. This review article explores the impact of this commitment and conservatively estimates carers’ financial input to raise one joey at approximately $2000 a year, and their time input at 1000 h, equating to $31 000 per year, applying a dollar value of $31 per hour. It categorises relevant types of grief associated with hand-rearing orphans and rehabilitating injured animals, and suggests that wildlife carers most likely experience many types of grief but are also susceptible to burn-out through compassion fatigue. A perceived lack of understanding, empathy and appreciation for their work by government can add to the stressors they face. Volunteering is declining in Australia at 1% per year, social capital is eroding and the human population is aging, while the number of injured and orphaned animals is increasing. Wildlife carers are a strategic national asset, and they need to be acknowledged and supported if their health and the public service they provide is not to be compromised.

Context. Inter- and intraspecific habitat partitioning is widespread across taxa, yet limited information is available on differences in intraspecific habitat selection by same-sex individuals among differing reproductive states. Understanding habitat selection by conspecifics of different reproductive states may help optimise conservation efforts, particularly for gallinaceous bird species such as greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which are long-lived but have only moderate reproductive rates.

Aims. We predicted that habitat use differed between grouse under different reproductive states and that reproductive investment decreased survival of adults in summer.

Methods. We compared habitat characteristics used by brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse and evaluated the influence of reproductive investment and habitat use on survival of adult females.

Key results. We found that brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse partitioned habitat at micro- and macrohabitat scales. Broodless females were more likely to survive the summer.

Conclusions. Our findings suggest reproductive state variability in habitat selection by female sage-grouse. Broodless females were roosting and foraging in concealed habitats with intermediate visual obstruction and annual vegetation productivity, but less food forb availability compared with early and late brood-rearing females. In contrast, brood-rearing females likely selected more herbaceous understoreys to predictably maximise foraging opportunities and promote growth of their chicks, which appeared to mitigate the influence of reproductive costs on summer survival, particularly during the late brood-rearing period.

Implications. Survival of adult females is critical for population persistence of sage-grouse and other long-lived Galliformes, yet conservation efforts generally focus on habitats used during nesting and brood-rearing. Our results suggest that habitat partitioning is a potential risk-aversion strategy where individuals across different reproductive states likely select habitats to maximise their survival. Conservation efforts should focus on conserving habitats used by both brood-rearing and broodless sage-grouse to ensure population persistence.

Context. Reintroductions can be an effective means of re-establishing locally extinct or declining faunal populations. However, incomplete knowledge of variables influencing survival and establishment can limit successful outcomes.

Aim. We aimed to examine the factors (e.g. sex, body mass, release order) influencing the survival, dispersal, home range and habitat selection of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern subspecies; Isoodon obesulus obesulus) into an unfenced, predator-managed environment in south-eastern Australia (Booderee National Park).

Methods. Over 2 weeks in May 2016, six female and five male bandicoots were wild-caught in state forest and hard released into the park. Release locations were approximately evenly distributed between three primary vegetation types assessed as suitable habitat: heath, woodland and forest. Bandicoots were radio-tracked day and night for 4 weeks from the initial release date.

Key results. No mortality was detected. Males dispersed more than twice as far as females (male 704 m, female 332 m), but there was no significant sex bias in home range size. At the landscape scale, bandicoots preferentially selected home ranges that contained heath and avoided forest. Within home ranges, heath and woodland were both favoured over forest.

Conclusions. Post-release dispersal is sex-biased, but more data are required to determine the influence of other predictors such as body mass and release order. Within the release area, bandicoots favoured non-forest vegetation types.

Implications. Our study outlines factors influencing the establishment of reintroduced bandicoots. We recommend that future bandicoot reintroductions to Booderee National Park occur within areas of heath and woodland, and that subsequent releases consider the potentially larger spatial requirements and conspecific avoidance among male bandicoots. Our findings contribute new knowledge for improving translocation methods of a nationally endangered medium-sized mammal.

Context. Irruption of large herbivore populations is characterised by three distinct phases: (1) an exponential increase in population to a peak abundance; (2) a population crash; and (3) a second increase to another population peak, typically lower than the first peak of abundance. However, there has been little study of age- and sex-specific factors that affect the post-initial irruption interactions with food sources.

Aims. We aimed to investigate annual survival rates of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838) in the sequent irruption of a population on Nakanoshima Island, Lake Toya, Japan, with a chronically high density during the period 2002–12.

Methods. Survival monitoring data were obtained for 219 individuals (93 males and 126 females) using radio-collars. Annual survival was quantified, and related factors, i.e. deer abundance and winter severity, were determined by model selection using Akaike information criterion values.

Key Results. The results showed that annual survival rates across sexes and age classes (fawn, yearling, prime-aged, old) decreased with increasing population density, snow depth and winter precipitation. Winter severity had a greater effect on adult survival than density regulation. Nevertheless, female adult survival was maintained at a high level, with a mean of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.88).

Key conclusions. Robust survival rates for adult females might contribute to the maintenance of a high-density sika deer population in the post-initial irruption.

Implications. We suggest that in the absence of predation and hunting, sika deer population is not able to self-regulate to the density level that avoids an irreversible impact on plants.

Context. The risk of secondary poisoning to native fauna during pest control operations is an issue of global concern. In New Zealand, non-target impacts during sodium fluoroacetate (1080) operations are particularly contentious. 1080 is used extensively for pest control for conservation, bovine tuberculosis control, and in plantation forestry for seedling protection from herbivores. The endemic New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) breeds in Kaingaroa forest, an intensively managed pine plantation where regular 1080 poison operations are conducted; however, causes of mortality and risks of secondary poisoning by 1080 are not well documented.

Aims. We aimed to investigate mortality and survival of adult falcons with an emphasis on assessing the possible role of 1080 poisoning in annual mortality.

Methods. Using radio-telemetry and visual observations, we monitored 37 marked adult falcons before and after 1080 operations in 2013–14 (16 through carrot-bait and 21 through cereal-bait operations) and assessed mortality causes through post-mortem examinations. Using Program MARK, the annual survival rates for adults and independent juveniles were estimated from long-term banding data (2003–2014).

Key results. Survival of falcons was high through both cereal-bait (21/21) and carrot-bait (15/16) 1080 operations (overall 95% CI for survival = 84–100%). The exception was a radio-tagged male that died of unknown causes within a fortnight of an operation and tested negative for 1080 residues. Three falcons were depredated by introduced mammals. One falcon was found dead in an emaciated condition but evidently died from head injury through Australasian magpie (Cracticus tibicen) attack. The annual survival rate of falcons estimated from long-term banding was 80 ± 6.0% (mean ± s.e.) for adults and 29 ± 0.1% for juveniles.

Conclusions. No adult falcon death was attributable to 1080 poisoning in this study. Identifiable mortalities were attributable to depredation by introduced mammals and an injury from an Australasian magpie. The annual survival rate of Kaingaroa falcons was comparable to those of other raptor species worldwide.

Implications. The risk to adult falcons from 1080 secondary poisoning is likely low. Whether this is also true for juveniles requires further study.

Context. Present-day distribution records show that Oxyeleotris lineolata (sleepy cod) has colonised many ephemeral streams and refugial waterholes of the Cooper Creek catchment in the Lake Eyre Basin within a decade of the first record or capture. When introduced to new habitats outside its natural range, this species is considered to be a serious conservation risk to native fish species.

Aims. The present study aims to document the transport, establishment, colonisation and integration of O. lineolata in the Lake Eyre Basin, and quantify its impact on native fish assemblages.

Methods. Fish samples were taken annually in 21 waterholes between 2011 and 2016, by using a combination of single- and double-winged fyke nets. We collected novel diet and life-history information from 242 O. lineolata individuals across their known distribution.

Key results. Abundance, length distribution and life-history information suggested a ‘colonising front’ moving downstream, across state jurisdictional boundaries and into the Coongie Lakes Ramsar site. Oxyeleotris lineolata diet is most similar to that of two native generalist invertivore–piscivores and preys on several native fish species. With a derived longevity in excess of 15 years and a life-history strategy that combines batch spawning, high fecundity and parental care (i.e. high juvenile survivorship), there is real potential for O. lineolata to dominate fish assemblages in waterholes that provide refuge for native fishes during dry periods.

Conclusions. The present study showed that O. lineolata has the potential to negatively influence native fish assemblages through both competition and predation in refugial waterholes. Eradication of O. lineolata from the Cooper Creek catchment in central Australia is highly unlikely, given its widespread distribution, the remoteness of the receiving landscape and a current lack of resources to monitor spread and attempt eradication at the moving front of the Cooper Creek population.

Implications. Achieving greater awareness of the potential impacts of introducing or spreading non-native species is an important first step towards preserving the native fish fauna of the Lake Eyre Basin. Further research is warranted to fully understand the current and potential future distribution of O. lineolata in the basin, its biological and ecological requirements, and influence on native fish species and assemblages.

Context. Citizen science is increasingly used to collect biodiversity data to inform conservation management, but its validity within urban greenspaces remains largely unresolved.

Aims. To assess the validity of eBird data for generating biodiversity estimates within an urban greenspace.

Methods. We compared data from structured avian surveys with eBird data at an urban greenspace in Sydney during 2012–16, using species richness and Shannon diversity indices. We also compared community composition, using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and dissimilarities using non-parametric MANOVA.

Key results. Structured surveys had a lower overall species richness (80 versus 116) and Shannon diversity (3.64 versus 3.94) than eBird data, but we found no significant differences when using years as replicates. After standardising the richness and diversity indices by time spent surveying in a given year, structured surveys produced significantly higher biodiversity estimates. Further, when grouped into species occupying different broad habitats, there were no significant differences in waterbird or landbird species richness, or in Shannon diversity between data sources.

Conclusions. The most likely explanation for the larger magnitudes of the biodiversity indices from the eBird data is the increase in effort manifested in the number of observers, time spent surveying and spatial coverage. This resulted in increased detection of uncommon species, which in turn accounted for a significant difference (R² = 0.21, P = 0.015) in overall community composition measured by the two methods.

Implications. Our results highlight the opportunities provided by eBird data as a useful tool for land managers for monitoring avian communities in urban areas.

Context. Artificial refuges (cover boards) are a popular method to survey and monitor herpetofauna worldwide. However, one limitation of using artificial refuges in terrestrial environments is the low detection rates of arboreal species. Furthermore, destructive search techniques can damage critical microhabitat such as exfoliating rock or flaking bark of mature trees.

Aim. We tested a non-destructive, passive method of sampling arboreal reptiles in fragmented agricultural landscapes in south-eastern Australia.

Methods. We installed 84 artificial bark refuges consisting of strips of non-toxic, closed-cell foam attached to eucalypt trees in 13 patches of remnant vegetation. We used Bayesian statistics to compare differences in detection rates among artificial bark refuges, terrestrial artificial refuges and active searches of natural habitat over a 4-year period.

Key results. Active searches combined with terrestrial artificial refuges detected the highest number of reptile species, including several cryptic fossorial species. Artificial bark refuges detected, on average, 132 times more individuals of the arboreal southern marbled gecko, Christinus marmoratus, than did terrestrial refuges. Gecko abundance patterns were related to tree characteristics such as tree size, bark thickness and stand basal area, as well as survey year.

Conclusions. Traditional survey methods such as terrestrial cover boards, in combination with active searches of natural habitat, may significantly underestimate counts for arboreal gecko species.

Implications. Artificial bark refuges provide a cost-effective, non-destructive and durable method for surveying and monitoring arboreal reptiles in woodland environments over short to medium time frames. Foil-backed, closed-cell foam has broad application for use in spatial capture–recapture studies and long-term monitoring of arboreal reptiles. This method also may be effective for procuring records of threatened arboreal geckos or as a solution for providing temporary habitat in ecological restoration projects.