Context. As conversion of natural areas to human development continues, there is a lack of information about how developed areas can sustainably support wildlife. While large predators are often extirpated from areas of human development, some medium-bodied mammalian predators (hereafter, mesocarnivores) have adapted to co-exist in human-dominated areas.

Aims. How human-dominated areas such as residential yards are used by mesocarnivores is not well understood. Our study aimed to identify yard and landscape features that influence occupancy, relative abundance and spatial-temporal overlap of three widespread mesocarnivores, namely, coyote (Canis latrans), grey fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Methods. Over the summers of 2021 and 2022, we deployed camera-traps in 46 and 96 residential yards, spanning from low-density rural areas (<1 home per km²) to more urban areas (589 homes per km²) in north-western Arkansas, USA.

Key results. We found that mesocarnivore occupancy was marginally influenced by yard-level features as opposed to landscape composition. Fences reduced the occupancy probability of coyotes, although they were positively associated with the total area of potential shelter sites in a yard. We found that relative abundance of grey fox was highest in yards with poultry, highlighting a likely source of conflict with homeowners. We found that all three species were primarily nocturnal and activity overlap between the species pairs was high.

Conclusions. Thus, these species may be using spatio-temporal partitioning to avoid antagonistic encounters and our data supported this, with few examples of species occurring in the same yards during the same 24-h period.

Implications. As the number of residential yards continues to grow, our results suggested that there are ways in which our yards can provide resources to mesocarnivores and that homeowners also have agency to mitigate overlap with mesocarnivores through management of their yard features.

Context. With the range expansion of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in North America during the past decades, there has been an increasing concern with how wild pigs affect native species. An abundance of research on their impacts has been through the lens of damage to anthropogenic resources and plant communities. However, quantitative research on how wild pigs affect populations of native animal species is an understudied topic.

Aims. Our goal was to assess how wild pigs affect white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at a population level by measuring changes in deer abundance as wild pigs are removed. White-tailed deer are an economically valuable game species in North America, and negative impacts of wild pigs on their populations could have trickle-down impacts on conservation funding for all wildlife.

Methods. On three treatment areas (34.07–55.31 km²) and one control area (25.10 km²), we used N-mixture models to compare data from camera-trap surveys of white-tailed deer before and after wild pigs were removed from treatment areas.

Key results. We removed 1851 pigs from the treatment sites between May 2019 and March 2021. We found that wild pigs did not significantly affect white-tailed deer abundance, but that white-tailed deer were 1.12 (1.02–1.23; 95% CL) times as likely to be detected when the number of pigs removed was equal to our baseline population estimates compared with when no pigs were removed. Although results from similar analyses on separate age and sex classes of white-tailed deer exhibited similar results, analyses of impacts on immature males differed.

Conclusions. Our overall results are congruent with those of other research that suggest that wild pigs affect white-tailed deer behaviour at a local scale, although eliminating pigs from an area does not appear to quickly lead to increased abundance of deer.

Implications. Although the interspecific interactions between white-tailed deer and wild pigs are unlikely to lead to a decline in the population of white-tailed deer, removing wild pigs may decrease the behavioural implications of these interactions.

Context. The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) was extirpated from much of its range in the US in the 1800s due to fur trapping and change in land use. However, the species has recolonised much of its former range, including the US state of Ohio. Since 2013, the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) has monitored trends in beaver colony density via aerial surveys of 40 km × 40 km plots classified as low, medium, or high suitability based on the amount of wetland. Nonetheless, the current classification system may miss important correlates of beaver colony density.

Aims. Our study aimed to (1) identify predictors of beaver colony density (number of colonies inferred from aerial counts of lodges) across Ohio, and (2) develop a model-based classification system to improve the efficacy of monitoring efforts.

Methods. To predict beaver colony density in Ohio we used an aerial survey dataset of 54 plots (40 km × 40 km) collected by ODOW annually between 2013 and 2020, along with a suite of environmental, anthropogenic, and climate variables in a mixed effects modelling framework.

Key results. Beaver colony density was positively associated with wetland and reclaimed surface mine areas and inversely associated with the proportion of agricultural lands. There was a negative interaction between wetland and surface mines; in general, beaver colony density increased with wetland and surface mine area. However, in plots with wetland area >1000 ha, beaver colony density was weakly negatively associated with surface mine area. Using median and interquartile ranges of model-averaged predicted beaver colony density, we developed a new classification of low, moderate and high suitability for both the survey plots and the entire state of Ohio. We found that eastern Ohio had high suitability, while the central and western parts of the state had lower suitability for C. canadensis.

Conclusions. Our approach to identifying predictors for beaver colony density at broad spatial scales highlights the importance of reclaimed surface mines and wetlands for beaver populations, while the model-based habitat classification provides ODOW additional information for monitoring and beaver management decisions.

Implications. Improved C. canadensis monitoring at the landscape scale using habitat classifications that consider local conditions can both improve annual survey cost-effectiveness and facilitate the sustainable management of this recovering species.

Context. The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused catastrophic biodiversity loss globally, but species and life stages within species respond differently to the pathogen. Although tadpoles are often reported to be less vulnerable to disease, they can constitute important infection reservoirs in ecosystems.

Aims. We aimed to describe Bd infection patterns of a long-lived tadpole in a species where post-metamorphic animals appear to exhibit limited mortality as a result of chytridiomycosis. We further investigated how oral dekeratinisation can be used as an indicator of infection.

Methods. We conducted surveys of tadpoles of Mixophyes fleayi (Fleay’s barred frog) over 2 years, at two rainforest streams on the east coast of Australia, to assess patterns in Bd infection prevalence and intensity. We developed an integrated hierarchical model propagating pathogen-detection errors and incorporating how Bd infections affect oral dekeratinisation.

Key results. We found that Bd infection prevalence was strongly associated with lower temperatures and a larger body size, consistent with Bd optimal thermal range and a cumulative risk of exposure for tadpoles. The individual probability of a tadpole being infected with Bd was estimated to be 0.58 [95% HPDI: 0.432, 0.713], the odds of which were approximately eight times greater than for adults at the same sites. Tadpoles infected with Bd were 113 [29, 293] times more likely to have oral dekeratinisation than were uninfected tadpoles, where uninfected individuals were estimated to have a 0.05 [95% HPDI: 0.011, 0.11] probability of having mouthpart loss.

Conclusions. Our results showed that M. fleayi tadpoles are more likely to be infected with Bd than are adults, suggesting that tadpoles could contribute to Bd maintenance in streams. We further showed that sites can be rapidly assessed for Bd by visually checking for oral dekeratinisation.

Implications. Long-lived tadpoles, in general, may contribute to Bd maintenance in ecosystems. We suggest continued exploration of Bd immunocompetence across amphibian life stages to further understand the vastly different infection patterns.

Context. Reptiles partition their activity among their microhabitats for thermoregulatory, predatory, and refuge opportunities. We investigated whether a habitat specialist, the endangered pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis), preferentially occupied vacant spider burrows in specific microhabitats in agricultural grasslands.

Aims. We investigated whether (1) microhabitat availability influenced associations of lizards occupying burrows among four populations, (2) lizard microhabitat preferences varied over time and, (3) whether a correlation was present between lizard body condition and the occupancy of spider burrows in specific microhabitats.

Methods. We assessed the microhabitat surrounding pygmy bluetongue-occupied spider burrows and unoccupied burrows that fit the criteria to be potentially suitable for pygmy bluetongue occupancy among four populations over two field seasons. We used the presence or absence of a lizard within a spider burrow to generate models to assess the probability of lizard occupancy to test whether pygmy bluetongues exhibited microhabitat preferences when occupying a spider burrow.

Key results. We found that pygmy bluetongues were strongly positively associated with burrows on an angle and were negatively associated with burrows surrounded by bare ground, rock, lichen, and that were further from vegetation. Microhabitat preferences varied among populations and time, which may have been influenced by habitat availability at each site and season. We also found that pygmy bluetongue body condition was positively associated with greater rock cover; however, rock availability did not exceed 10% cover, which suggests that it may have been an incidental association owing to the low sample size of caught lizards or was affected by above-average rainfall.

Conclusions. Microhabitat preferences exhibited by habitat specialists such as the pygmy bluetongue may differ when inhabiting locations that differ in their availability of high-quality habitat.

Implications. Our results have implications for selecting appropriate microhabitats when installing artificial burrows for lizards at future translocation sites and land-management implications to ensure landscape heterogeneity of benefit for successful conservation.

Context. Biodiversity is declining worldwide, with many species decreasing in both number and range. Acoustic monitoring is rapidly becoming a common survey method in the ecologist’s toolkit that may aid in the conservation of endangered species, but effective analysis of long-duration audio recordings is still challenging.

Aims. The aims of this study were to: (1) develop and test call recognisers for the endangered southern black-throated finch (Poephila cincta cincta) as well as the similar sounding, but non-endangered, double-barred finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii); and (2) compare the ability of these recognisers to detect these species with that of on-ground bird surveys at under-surveyed locations in the Desert Uplands bioregion which is at the edge of the known range of the black-throated finch.

Methods. A range of convolutional neural network call recognition models were built and tested for both target species, before being deployed over new audio recordings collected at 25 sites during 2020, 2021 and 2022, and compared with the results of on-ground bird surveys at those same sites.

Key results. Call recognisers for both species performed well on test datasets from locations in the same area as the training data with an average area under the precision-recall curve (PRAUC) of 0.82 for black-throated finch and 0.87 for double-barred finch. On-ground bird surveys in the Desert Uplands bioregion detected black-throated finches at two locations in different years, and our call recognisers confirmed this with minimal post-validation of detections. Similar agreement between methods were obtained for the double-barred finch, with site occupancy in the Desert Uplands bioregion confirmed with audio recognition in all nine surveys with on-ground detections, as well as during four additional surveys that had no on-ground detections.

Conclusions. Using call recognisers to survey new locations for black-throated finch presence was equally successful as on-ground surveys, and with further refinements, such as retraining models with examples of commonly misclassified vocalisations added to the training data, minimal validation should be required to detect site presence.

Implications. Acoustic monitoring should be considered as a valuable tool to be used alongside manual surveys to allow effective monitoring and conservation of this endangered species.

Context. Conservation translocations are increasing in number and so too is the interest and expectation from Traditional Owners (TOs) that they will be involved in management occurring on their Country.

Aims. Our objectives were to identify the levels of past TO engagement as experienced through the western and TO lenses, examine the key steps, challenges and opportunities that emerged from survey responses, and also to provide a case study of a conservation translocation that describes Indigenous involvement to support a reintroduction of golden bandicoots (Isoodon auratus) in Australia from Martu Country (Western Australia) to Wongkumara and Maljangapa Country (New South Wales).

Methods. The key questions the surveys sought to address to western practitioners were as follows: (1) what types of TO involvement were observed; (2) if TOs were not involved in the translocation, was there a reason; and (3) for each translocation project where TOs were involved, (a) why was this engagement sought by their agency; (b) what worked well in terms of involvement and partnerships; and (c) how could these partnerships be improved? From a TO lens, perspectives were sought with a survey addressing the following questions: (1) how were you involved in the translocation; (2) why was it important to you and your community; and (3) ow would you like to be involved in the future?

Key results. Of 208 Australian translocations, 27% involved TOs. The following four themes emerged from the survey responses: the need to recognise and adopt the cultural dimension of conservation translocations on Indigenous Country, maintain on-Country relationships between western practitioners and TOs, enable co-ownership of projects, and maintain community links between western and TO practitioners. The golden bandicoot translocation partnership provided a foundation for TO engagement across generations, setting the scene for long-term and future translocation collaboration opportunities.

Conclusions. The perspectives of all participants involved in conservation translocations highlighted a common theme: the need to support TOs to be engaged fairly, to be culturally safe during their engagement, and to enable them to be part of a wider project and community team. The case study highlighted a sequential approach for engaging the TO organisation and supporting TOs to work alongside western practitioners to capture, record and transport animals from their Country to a new (reintroduction) site.

Implications. We provide suggestions for non-Indigenous managers and practitioners to consider a cultural dimension to conservation translocations when engaging TOs.

Context. Camera traps have become a crucial tool for monitoring predators and are frequently deployed with lures to boost detection. Feral cats, a problematic invasive species in Australia, are commonly monitored using camera traps with lures. Despite the additional effort required for lure deployment, it remains unclear which lures are effective for monitoring feral cats.

Aims. Our study aimed to address this knowledge gap and assess the impact of various lure treatments on feral cat detection and activity. We also examined the response of other predators, such as Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls, to the lures and explored how their activity influenced feral cat visitation.

Methods. We deployed food, olfactory and visual lures, along with a null treatment across four grids of 16 camera traps over a period of 4 months in south-eastern Tasmania.

Key results. We observed increased feral cat detection with food (odds ratio = 3.69, 97.5% CI = 1.04, 13.2) and visual lures (odds ratio = 5.95, CI = 1.75, 20.2), but not olfactory lures (odds ratio = 1.88, CI = 0.55, 6.51). Examining only sites where cats were detected, food (odds ratio = 3.35, CI = 1.27, 8.9), visual (odds ratio = 3.39, CI = 1.41, 8.1) and olfactory (odds ratio = 2.7, CI = 1.02, 7.1) lures all increased feral cat visitation to the camera traps. Tasmanian devil and spotted-tailed quoll activity increased 4.85-fold (CI = 2.89, 8.1) and 4.94-fold (CI = 2.92, 8.4) when using the food lure, and 4.24-fold (CI = 2.5, 7.2) and 3.49-fold (CI = 2.03, 6.0) when using the olfactory lure. Whereas a positive relationship existed between devil and cat activity overall (β = 0.49, s.e. = 0.15, P ≤ 0.001), negative associations were found between devil and cat activity in the presence of food (β = −0.36, s.e. = 0.19, P = 0.057) and olfactory (β = −0.42, s.e. = 0.20, P = 0.026) lures.

Conclusions. Our findings demonstrated the effectiveness of lures in temperate environments for feral cat monitoring but highlighted potential interspecific interactions that reduce feral cat visitation.

Implications. We recommend a thoughtful consideration of the environment and resident species to ensure effective lure use and to minimise unintended negative influences on the capture of target species.

Context. The population of introduced fallow deer (Dama dama) is thought to have increased exponentially across much of the island of Tasmania, Australia, since 2000. Historically, deer management decisions have relied on population trend data from vehicular spotlight surveys. Renewed focus on the contemporary management of the species requires development of more robust and precise population estimation methodology.

Aims. This study demonstrates two aerial survey methods – conventional counts by trained human observers, and thermal imaging footage recorded during the same flights – to inform future survey practices.

Methods. Conventional counts were carried out by three observers, two seated on the left side of the helicopter, and one on the right. A high-resolution thermal camera was fitted to the helicopter and was orientated to meet the assumptions of distance sampling methodologies. Both survey methods were used to generate deer population density estimates. Spatial distribution of deer was also analysed in relation to patches of remnant native vegetation across an agricultural landscape. Mark–recapture distance sampling was used to estimate density from human observer counts and provide a comparison to the distance sampling estimates derived from the thermal camera.

Key results. Human observer counts gave a density estimate of 2.7 deer per km², while thermal camera counts provided an estimate of 2.8 deer per km². Deer population density estimates calculated via both methods were similar, but variability of the thermal camera estimate (coefficient of variation (CV) of 36%) was unacceptably high. Human observer data was within acceptable bounds of variability (CV, 19%). The estimated population size in central and north-eastern Tasmania for 2019 approximated 53,000 deer. Deer were primarily congregated within 200 metres of the interface between canopy cover and open pasture.

Conclusions. The population density estimate provides a baseline for monitoring and managing the Tasmanian deer population. Human observer data was more precise than thermal camera data in this study, but thermal counts could be improved by reducing sources of variability.

Implications. Improvements for the collection of thermal imagery are recommended. Future control efforts may be more efficient if they preferentially target habitat edges at this time of year, paired with random or grid-based searches where population density is lower.

In this paper, we highlight the poor health of the Australian environment and propose a new framing for how we care for Maar Country. We identify the basis for our Law/Lore of the Land and describe six guiding principles for our proposed biocultural landscape restoration approach. We also explore the way that our ancestors used cultural stories to guide the management of Country and we reflect on how we are adopting these same approaches today by giving culturally significant entities primacy in our approach to caring for Country. Finally, we extend an invitation to non-Aboriginal scientists, conservationists, and government agencies to work with us to care for Country, in a respectful and holistic manner.

Position statement. We, the authors of this paper, are all either Aboriginal Australians or employed by the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation. We are all actively participating in the Pang-ngooteekeeya weeng malangeepa ngeeye project.

Context. Indigenous people influenced fire in Australia’s deserts for millennia, until colonisation interrupted traditional fire practices. Many groups are reinvigorating those practices to achieve inter-linked biodiversity, cultural, and social benefits. Contemporary fire management integrates modern planning and delivery approaches with cultural process. However, deserts have changed since colonisation (e.g. invasive species, biodiversity loss, climate change) and fire-management outcomes for Country are less certain. Some Indigenous groups are integrating scientific methods into their programs, to examine biodiversity outcomes and refine management.

Aims. Karajarri and Ngurrara Traditional Owners wanted to understand how fire affects Kuwi (mammals, reptiles) on their Country, to guide fire management. Karajarri and Ngurrara Rangers worked together on this project, exchanging skills and knowledge with each other, and with scientists.

Methods. We established 32 monitoring sites at four locations on Karajarri and Ngurrara Country. We undertook 11 survey trips from 2018 to 2022, gathering data from 81 site visits. Using Landsat satellite imagery we described fire patterns around each site, focussing on seral stage (as defined by Traditional Owners), patch size, and seral diversity at small (500 m), medium (1 km), and large (5 km) spatial scales.

Results. There were 378 mammal captures (11 species) and 3392 reptile captures (66 species). Mammal species richness and captures were lowest in Wuntara (recently burnt) and highest in Nyirrinyanu (mature) spinifex. Mammal species richness increased with seral diversity within 1 km around the trapping site. Reptile species richness and captures were unaffected by seral stage. However, many species were caught significantly more often in specific seral stages. Neither reptile richness nor capture rate were related to patch size or seral diversity.

Conclusions. Retaining a mix of seral stages can maintain diverse reptile and mammal assemblages. The management challenge will be increasing the extent of mature/long-unburnt spinifex, currently the rarest seral stage. Ranger fire management has already reduced mean fire size by 40–52%, and further reductions are possible.

Implications. Our work improves the understanding of fire effects on northern desert fauna, guides management, provides important ecological information from a little-studied region of Australia’s deserts, and increases the recognition of Indigenous conservation management of Country.

Context. Amidst growing international calls for inclusive conservation and a backdrop of declining species and cultural diversity, Indigenous-led approaches that offer opportunities for biocultural benefits are of growing interest. Species prioritisation is one area that can be decolonised, shifting from quantitative, large-scale threatened species metrics to pluralistic, place-based approaches that include culturally significant species.

Aim. This study aimed to establish a list of priority animals of concern to Ŋaḻapaḻmi (senior knowledge holders) in the Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area, north-eastern Arnhem Land, Australia. This list could focus the research and management efforts of the Yirralka Rangers and collaborators.

Methods. Adhering to local governance structures, through six group-elicitation sessions, Ŋaḻapaḻmi were asked to identify animals of concern and describe reasons for concern. Existing occurrence records and threat status of these species were compiled to assess baseline data and guide next steps.

Results. The Ŋaḻapaḻmi-defined Laynhapuy Priority Animal List contained 30 animals (species/groups), with the highest-ranked animals including Marrtjinyami wäyin (walking animals), Rupu (possums), and Djanda (goannas), all mammals and varanid lizards. The list of 30 animals included 43 species from a Western-science perspective, of which 12 were also listed as threatened through Western conservation frameworks. Some animals were considered high priority locally, such as the waṉ’kurra (northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus), although not a concern from a Western-science perspective, demonstrating mismatch between local and larger-scale approaches. To help disentangle whether this mismatch is due to cultural significance and/or localised decline not captured at larger-scale assessments, we provide the animal’s publicly known Yolŋu clan connections and reasons for concern alongside existing baseline occurrence data. Recent collaborative surveys have substantially increased data for Laynhapuy Priority Animals, demonstrating the benefits of community engaged wildlife research.

Conclusions. Multidisciplinary research collaborations can produce Indigenous-led ‘working’ lists of priority animals to guide culturally attuned on-ground action. Approaches that draw on different cultural knowledge systems require interrogation of how knowledge is created and conveyed to ensure mutual comprehension and practical use.

Implications. Indigenous-led approaches offer possibilities for enhanced management of species by local groups, with anticipated co-benefits to species and cultural knowledge.

Context. The Endangered night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is one of the rarest birds in Australia, with fewer than 20 known to occur in Queensland and, prior to 2020, only occasional detections from a handful of sites in Western Australia (WA). Here, we provide an introduction to night parrots on the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in WA from the perspectives of both Indigenous rangers and scientists working together to understand their ecology.

Aims. We aimed to identify night parrot sites on the Ngururrpa IPA, compare habitat and likely threats with those in Queensland and identify appropriate management practices.

Methods. Between 2020 and 2023, we used songmeters (a type of acoustic recorder) to survey for the presence of night parrots at 31 sites (>2 km apart). At sites where parrots were detected, we used camera-traps to survey predators and collected predator scats for dietary analysis. Forty years of Landsat images were examined to assess the threat of fire to roosting habitat.

Key results. Night parrots were detected at 17 of the 31 sites surveyed on the Ngururrpa IPA. Positive detections were within an area that spanned 160 km from north to south and 90 km from east to west. Ten roosting areas were identified, and these occurred in habitat supporting the same species of spinifex (lanu lanu or bull spinifex, Triodia longiceps) used for roosting in Queensland. However, the surrounding landscapes differ in their vegetation types and inherent flammability, indicating that fire is likely to be a more significant threat to night parrots in the Great Sandy Desert than in Queensland. Dingoes (Canis dingo) were the predator species detected most frequently in night parrot roosting habitat and the feral cat was found to be a staple prey for dingoes at night parrot sites.

Conclusions. Our surveys indicated that there could be at least 50 night parrots on the Ngururrpa IPA, which is the largest known population in the world. Fire is a key threat to roosting habitat, occurring in the surrounding sandplain country every 6–10 years. Dingoes are common in night parrot habitat and regularly eat feral cats, which are only occasionally detected in roosting habitat.

Implications. We recommend management that focuses on strategic burning to reduce fuel loads in the surrounding landscape, and limiting predator control to methods that do not harm dingoes.

Indigenous people and the land they manage are integral to biodiversity conservation worldwide, with threatened species projects in Australia increasingly using a two-way collaborative approach between Indigenous people and scientists. There is increasing interest in the nature of these relationships and how Indigenous culture, people and knowledge can be prioritised better, while increasing conservation outcomes. One example is the recent successful surveys of endangered night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) populations by Aboriginal rangers across Australia’s desert areas. This perspective article documents our collaborative effort, between Aboriginal rangers and scientists, to survey night parrot in Western Australia, from 2017 to 2023, the results, and the nature of our two-way scientific relationships. Night parrot working groups and workshops allowed rangers to learn from scientific and ranger experts, to build capacity and plan for surveys on their countries through two-way partnerships with supportive scientific organisations. This resulted in 13 ranger groups from Western Australia leading standardised night parrot acoustic surveys, with recordings analysed for unique calls by scientific experts. Over the 6 years, the rangers conducted 8613 surveys, at 75 sites, with 22 new night parrot sites being found on five different Native Title areas (Ngurra Kayanta, Ngururrpa, Martu, Birriliburu and Kiwirrkurra). As of August 2024, these sites represent an estimated 54% of known night parrot sites in Australia, and 75% of those found outside of Queensland. Our results have greatly expanded our knowledge of night parrot distribution and ecology in Australia. Key to this success was our respectful two-way scientific relationships that prioritised Aboriginal peoples, culture and leadership, regionally building momentum and collaboration through workshops and networks, while ensuring good scientific practice. Our work provides another important example of how respectful two-way science relationships can create significant conservation outcomes while supporting Indigenous knowledge, leadership and cultural practice.