A NUMBER of threatened species have been spotted living in the Otways thanks to an elaborate remote camera project.
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The study in the Great Otway National Park involved 373 camera sites used over 35 days snapping 140,884 photos.
Over 50 different species were photographed in the project, which is part of Parks Victoria’s Otway Ark program and aims “to protect native small mammal species currently found in the Otways environment through an invasive predator control program”, according to a statement from Parks Victoria.
The photos serve as part of the baseline data rangers are gathering over the first year of the project, with the diversity of creatures spotted so far leaving rangers “ecstatic”, the statement said.
Five threatened species were photographed using the hidden, motion-activated cameras – the southern brown bandicoot, long-nosed potoroo, swamp antechinus, white-footed dunnart and rufous bristlebird.
Sixteen small to medium native mammals have been identified including bush rats, swamp rats, agile antechinuses, dusky antechinuses, possums, gliders, bandicoots, koalas, and echidnas.
The cameras also snapped wallabies, kangaroos, lizards, and snakes, and more than 17 bird species, including satin bowerbirds, Australian owlet-nightjars, and southern boobook owls, as well as more common species such as rosellas, kookaburras, wrens and honeyeaters.
Introduced species photographed included foxes, cats, red and fallow deer, dogs, black rats, house mice, and rabbits, as well as one hare, one pig and one cow.
Stations were set up with a mixture of oats, golden syrup and peanut butter to attract the animals.
The project was a combined effort from Parks Victoria rangers, Friends of Eastern Otways, Conservation Ecology Centre, a Gordon TAFE student, and community volunteers.
Parks Victoria Otway Ark Project co-ordinator Catherine Longmore said the photos showed some interesting animals.
“This initial 12-month data is very encouraging,” Ms Longmore said.
“It is showing species ... which are endangered and extinct elsewhere.
“The Great Otway National Park is a special place with a critical role in protecting and conserving small native mammals.”
