Spatial behaviour of yellow-footed rock-wallabies, Petrogale xanthopus, changes in response to active conservation management

Abstract

Competition for food is predicted to influence faunal movement patterns as animals have to range further to satisfy their nutrient requirements. Research between 1979 and 1984 found that yellow-footed rock-wallabies, Petrogale xanthopus, in Middle Gorge, Buckaringa Sanctuary, had home ranges (134–169 ha in winter) that were much larger than predicted, which was attributed to competing livestock and cropping. We studied the ranging behaviour of this population using GPS telemetry after the cessation of farming and following several years of fox, Vulpes vulpes, and goat, Capra hircus, control to determine whether the reduction in competition and predation pressure has affected movement patterns of this endangered species. Mean winter range size of the four GPS-collared rock-wallabies was 4.3 ha (kernel or 5.5-ha MCP), which is a much smaller area than the rock-wallabies used before farming ceased and fox and goat control was implemented. The rock-wallabies primarily used the mid- to lower slopes of the gorge country and preferred redgum creeks and gorge habitats. The rock-wallabies exhibited a crepuscular activity pattern. We hypothesise that the difference in movements has arisen because the rock-wallabies are no longer competing for resources with introduced herbivores, and are able to meet their forage requirements from a smaller area.