Conservation of Cape BArren Geese, Cereopsis novaehollandiae, in Tasmania

Abstract

'Cape Barren geese are restricted to the coastline of southern Australia; the Furneaux Group of islands, at the eastern end of Bass Strait, is one of two principal population centres. Population size has fluctuated since Europeans first settled in the Group at the end of the 18th century, as a result of variable predation on birds and eggs and of changes to habitat. Population monitoring began in 1957; numbers of geese appear to have at least doubled up to 1973. During this period large flocks of geese have grazed paddocks of improved pasture on Flinders I., the largest island of the Group, and this had led to outcry from local farmers. Because these geese are widely considered to be a rare species, shooting has prompted significant public concern. This paper describes the development and implementation of a management program to conserve Cape Barren geese in the Furneaux Group, while minimizing real hardships experienced by farmers and improving public understanding of the problem.