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Media releases: Potoroos
Media releases: General
Gilbert's potoroo, the world's rarest marsupial, has DNA mapped in major breakthrough
(Sept 2021)
Gilbert's potoroo future looks promising after three new animals discovered in population
(May 2021)
The group of volunteers who helped save the Gilbert’s potoroo celebrate 20 year anniversary
(May 2021)
Endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo given helping hand by citizen scientists
(Oct 2020)
Genetic study shows positive results for rare Gilbert’s Potoroo population
(July 2020)
Potoroo’s survival plan
(May 2020 p. 7)
New plan needed for environment
(February 2020)
Surprise find a rare delight
(November 2019)
15 Animals Found Only in One Small Place
(January 2019)
Middle Island and Mondrain Island provide hope for endangered species
(August 2018)
Endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo hope
(June 2018)
New lease on life for potoroo: the fight to save our rarest animal
(June 2018)
Last chance to study and name Australia’s vanishing species scientists warn MPs
(April 2018)
Here is a lovely long list of cute animals which will be extinct in 20 years
(April 2018)
Top Ten Threatened
(April 2018)
Yes kangaroos are endangered but not the species you think
(March 2018)
Australia’s draft strategy for nature doesn’t cut it. Here are nine ways to fix it
(March 2018)
Wombats sharks, possums, frogs: Australia’s animals at risk of extinction
(February 2018)
Using people power to save the world’s rarest marsupial
(April 2017)
Government needs to front up billions, not millions, to save Australia’s threatened species
(March 2017)
*behind pay wall*
Wanted: new truffle island for rabbit sized kangaroos
(February 2017)
Species teetering on the brink of extinction
(February 2017)
*behind pay wall*
Mini marsupial ‘is a bush fire away from extinction
(February 2017)
Hunt for safe haven for world’s rarest marsupial continues
(February 2017)
Bushfires are pushing species towards extinction
(February 2016)
Safe haven for rescued potoroos on WA isle
(July 2016)
New Island Home boost hopes for Gilbert’s Potoroo
(July 2016)
Coalition pledges $5 million to help threatened species
(June 2016)
Exploring the last stronghold of Gilbert’s Potoroo
(March 2016)
Extinction means more than a loss of species to Australia’s delicate ecosystems
(February 2016)
Protect the Potoroo
(February 2016)
Endangered Gilbert’s potoroo added to the threatened species action plan
(January 2016)
Pythons prey on Australia’s rarest marsupial in south coast nature reserve
(December 2015)
Gilbert’s Potoroo update
(December 2015)
The habitat is gone’: Rare Gilbert’s Potoroo population ravaged by blaze
(December 2015)
Fires send Gilbert’s Potoroo back to the brink
(November 2015)
Population of potoroo once thought extinct passes 100
(December 2014)
Population of potoroo once thought extinct passes 100
(December 2014)
Australian endangered species: Gilbert’s Potoroo
(February 2014)
Potoroo thrive on island home
(October 2010)
Back from the dead: Gilbert’s Potoroo
(September 2005)
Community Stewardship Grants to boost local conservation initiatives
(November 2019)
New island home for south coast endangered species
(August 2018)
New hope for the Gilbert’s potoroo
(June 2018)
Endangered and threatened species protected
(December 2015)
World's rarest marsupial back from the brink
(December 2014)
New breeding colony for world’s rarest marsupial
(March 2010)
Vital Government funding for critically endangered species
(July 2009)
Second mainland potoroo population to be established
(July 2008)
Gilbert's potoroo continue to thrive on Bald Island
(October 2006)
First potoroo pouch-young bred on Bald Island
(February 2006)
Bald Island potoroo population growing
(December 2005)
Bald Island - possible new home for Gilbert's potoroos
(March 2005)
New colony of Australia's rarest animal found
(May 2003)
New list of threatened fauna contains significant changes to help wildlife
(April 1996)
Captive breeding program set up for rare mammal - Gilbert’s potoroo
(August 1995)
Rediscovery of rare marsupial, Gilbert’s potoroo
(December 1994)
10-year plan for Albany’s iconic conservation reserves
(August 2017)
Schools pack puts focus on native animals
(February 2016)
More funding for feral cat control
(July 2015)
Feral cat baits give hope for threatened species
(March 2015)
South coast and South-West $650,000 conservation investment
(October 2010)
Tammar wallabies return to Kalbarri National Park
(March 2010)
Partnerships underpin success of environmental projects
(March 2008)
$15million initiative produces significant first year achievements
(November 2007)
Noisy scrub birds released in the Porongurup National Park
(July 2006)
Biodiversity boost for Albany
(August 2005)
Two Peoples Bay to remain Nature Reserve
(May 2004)
World class visitor centre built at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
(March 1999)
Release of 10-year management plan for Albany reserve
(June 1996)
Opening of new CALM office complex in Albany
(June 1996)
Hefty fine for harming quokkas, now listed as ‘threatened’
(April 1996)
Change of Two Peoples Bay reserve into national park recommended
(December 1994)
Friend, T. (2008). Cross-fostering Gilbert's potoroo. Landscope
23, 6-8.
Friend, T., Hill, S. & Button, T. (2005). Bald Island getaway for Gilbert's potoroos. Landscope
21(1), 48–54.
Friend, T. (2003). New Potoroo Find. Landscope
19(1), 6-8.
Friend, T. (2003). Gilbert's Potoroo: Eight Years on. Landscope
18(3), 28
Danks, A. (1996). Two Peoples Bay: A Haven for the Lost and Found. Landscope
4(11), 35.
Start, T, Burbidge, A., Sinclair, E., & Wayne, A. (1995). Lost & Found: Gilbert's Potoroo. Landscope
3(10), 28.
Friend, T. (2009). Endangered! Gilbert’s potoroo. Landscope
29(4), 45.

Recovery Plans

Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii) Interim Wildlife Management Guidelines (1995)
Start, A. N., & Burbidge, A. A. (1995). Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii). Interim Wildlife Management Guidelines No 3. Perth, Australia: Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) Recovery Plan (2016)
Department of Parks and Wildlife (2016). Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) Recovery Plan. Wildlife Management Program No.62. Prepared by J.A. Friend, S. Comer, M.J. Page, A. Thomas, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth, WA.

Threatened Species Strategies

Action Plans

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve: Management Plan 1995-2005
‍Orr, K., Gillen, K. & Danks, A. V. (1995). Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve: Management Plan 1995-2005. Department of Conservation and Land Management for the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority.
The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes
Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A. A. & Morris, K. (1996). The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. Project 500, for the IUCN/SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission. Endangered Species Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 *full text available from author on request*
Woinarski, J. C. Z., Burbidge, A. A. & Harrison, P. L. (2014). The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012. Collingwood, Victoria, CSIRO Publishing.
The action plan for threatened Australian macropods
Roache, M. (2011). The action plan for threatened Australian macropods. WWF-Australia, Sydney: Australia.


Conservation Status

Rare and Endangered: Gilbert's Potoroo

Friend, T. (2003). Rare and Endangered: Gilbert's Potoroo. Nature Australia, 27(9), 22

Potorous gilbertii (Gilbert's Potoroo)

‍Threatened Species Scientific Committee. (2004). Potorous gilbertii (Gilbert's Potoroo). Advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on amendments to the list of threatened species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

‍Potorous gilbertii: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

‍Woinarski, J. & Burbidge, A. A. (2016). Potorous gilbertii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016

Conservation Management

Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia's vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications

Burbidge, A. A., & McKenzie, N. L. (1989). Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia's vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications. Biological Conservation, 50(1-4), 143-198

Rescuing Gilbert’s potoroo, the world’s most endangered marsupial, with community help

Friend, T. (2007). Rescuing Gilbert’s potoroo, the world’s most endangered marsupial, with community help. National Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference Proceedings, 2007.

Minimizing species extinctions through strategic planning for conservation fencing

Ringma, J. L., Wintle, B., Fuller, R. A., Fisher, D. & Bode, M. (2017). Minimizing species extinctions through strategic planning for conservation fencing. Society for Conservation Biology, 31(5), 1029-1038.‍

How many bird and mammal extinctions has recent conservation action prevented?

Bolam, F. C., Mair, L., Angelico, M., Brooks, T. M., Burgman, M., Hermes, C., … Butchart, S. H. M. (2020). How many bird and mammal extinctions has recent conservation action prevented? biorXiv doi: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.11.943902v1

Translocations

Returning the rat-kangaroos: translocation attempts in the family Potoroidae (superfamily Macropodoidea) and recommendations for conservation

Finlayson, G. R., Finlayson, S. T., & Dickman, C. R. (2010). Returning the rat-kangaroos: translocation attempts in the family Potoroidae (superfamily Macropodoidea) and recommendations for conservation. In: G. Coulson and M. D. B. Eldridge (eds), Macropods: The biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos, (pp. 245–262). CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Honours Theses

Microhabitat use by Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii Gould) in relation to vegetation associations and ground cover
Vetten, S. (1996). Microhabitat use by Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii Gould) in relation to vegetation associations and ground cover. (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity
Burke, K. D. (1998). Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity. (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii
Nguyen, V. (2000). A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae). (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.

Historical References

‍Monograph of the Macropodidae or family of Kangaroos
Gould, J. (1841). Monograph of the Macropodidae or family of Kangaroos. London, UK: J. Gould.
The Mammals of Australia
Gould, J. (1863). The Mammals of Australia. London, UK: J. Gould.
An account of the Geographical distribution of the marsupials and monotremes of south-west Australia, having special reference to the specimens collected during the Balston Expedition of 1904-1907 *paywall*
Shortridge, G. C. (1910). An account of the Geographical distribution of the marsupials and monotremes of south-west Australia, having special reference to the specimens collected during the Balston Expedition of 1904-1907. Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 55, 803- 848.

Searches and Rediscovery

Results of the search for the potoroo in south west and southcoast of Western Australia 1975/76
Start, A. & Kabay, E. (1976). Results of the search for the potoroo in south west and southcoast of Western Australia 1975/76. Woodvale, W.A.: Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife.
Rediscovery of Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, in Western Australia.
Sinclair, E. A., Danks, A., & Wayne, A. F. (1996). Rediscovery of Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, in Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy, 19, 69-72.
Our diminishing heritage – Potoroos‍
Anonymous (1976). Our diminishing heritage – Potoroos. S.W.A.N.S 6(1), 12-13

Diet

A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae)
Nguyen, V. (2000). A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae). (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
A quantitative dietary study of the ‘critically endangered’ Gilbert’s potoroo Potorous gilbertii
Nguyen, V. P. , Needham, A. D. , and Friend, J. A. (2005). A quantitative dietary study of the ‘critically endangered’ Gilbert’s potoroo Potorous gilbertii. Australian Mammalogy, 27, 1–6.
Endozoochory and the Australian bluebell: consumption of Billardiera fusiformis (Labill.) Payer seeds by three mammal species at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia
Cochrane, J. A, Friend, J. A., & Hill S. J. E. (2005). Endozoochory and the Australian bluebell: consumption of Billardiera fusiformis(Labill.) Payer seeds by three mammal species at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 88, 191-196.
Gilbert's potoroo translocated to new areas find their fungi
Bougher, N. & Friend, T. (2009). Gilbert's potoroo translocated to new areas find their fungi. Information Sheet 4/2009
Fungi consumed by translocated Gilbert's potoroos (Potorous gilbertii) at two sites with contrasting vegetation, south coastal Western Australia
Bougher, N. L. & Friend, J. A. (2009). Fungi consumed by translocated Gilbert's potoroos (Potorous gilbertii) at two sites with contrasting vegetation, south coastal Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 31: 97-105.

Reproduction

Cross-fostering and short-term pouch young isolation in macropod marsupials: implications for conservation and species management
Taggart, D. A., Schultz, D. J., Fletcher, T. P., Friend, J. A., Smith, I. G., Breed, W. G., & Temple-Smith, P. D. (2010). Cross-fostering and short-term pouch young isolation in macropod marsupials: implications for conservation and species management. In: G. Coulson and M. Eldridge (Eds.), Macropods: The biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos (pp. 263-278). Collingwood, Victoria, CSIRO Publishing.
Monitoring reproduction in the critically endangered marsupial, Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii): Preliminary analysis of faecal oestradiol-17β, cortisol and progestagens
Stead-Richardson. E., Bradshaw, D., Friend, T., & Fletcher, T. (2010). Monitoring reproduction in the critically endangered marsupial, Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii): Preliminary analysis of faecal oestradiol-17β, cortisol and progestagens. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 165(1), 155-162.

Genetics and Taxonomy

Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Potorous (Marsupialalia: Potoroidae) based on allozyme electrophoresis and sequence analysis of the cytochrome-b gene

Sinclair, E. A., & Westerman, M. (1997). Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Potorous (Marsupialalia: Potoroidae) based on allozyme electrophoresis and sequence analysis of the cytochrome-b gene. Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 4, 147- 161.

Chromosome morphology in Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae)

Sinclair, E. A., Murch, A. R., Di Renzo, M., & Palermo, M. (2000). Chromosome morphology in Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae). Australian Journal of Zoology, 48, 281- 287.

Detecting a genetic bottleneck in Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), inferred from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA sequence data.

Sinclair, E. A., Costello, B., Courtenay, J. M., & Crandall, K. A. (2002). Detecting a genetic bottleneck in Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), inferred from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Conservation Genetics, 3, 191- 196.

Novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships of the endangered marsupial genus Potorous

‍Frankham, G. J., Handasyde, K. A., & Eldridge, M. D. B. (2012). Novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships of the endangered marsupial genus Potorous. Molecular Phytogenetics and Evolution, 64, 592-602.

Long-nosed and Long-footed potoroos

Breeding of the Long-footed Potoroo, Potorous longipes (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), in the wild: behaviour, births and juvenile independence
Green, K. & Mitchell, A. T. (1997). Breeding of the Long-footed Potoroo, Potorous longipes (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), in the wild: behaviour, births and juvenile independence. Australian Mammalogy, 20, 1-7.
Home range and microhabitat use by the long-footed potoroo, Potorous longipes *paywall*
‍Green, K., Mitchell, A. T., & Tennant, P. (1998). Home range and microhabitat use by the long-footed potoroo, Potorous longipes. Wildlife Research, 25(4), 357-372.
Spatio-temporal interactions among male and female long-nosed potoroos, Potorous tridactylus (Marsupialia: Macropodoidea): mating system implications
Long, K. I. (2001). Spatio-temporal interactions among male and female long-nosed potoroos, Potorous tridactylus (Marsupialia: Macropodoidea): mating system implications. Australian Journal of Zoology, 49(1), 17-26.

Fossil Distribution

Microhabitat use by Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii Gould) in relation to vegetation associations and ground cover
Vetten, S. (1996). Microhabitat use by Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus gilbertii Gould) in relation to vegetation associations and ground cover. (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity
Burke, K. D. (1998). Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity. (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii
Nguyen, V. (2000). A diet study of Australia's most critically endangered mammal, Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia: Potoroidae). (Unpublished Honours thesis). Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.

Books and Book Chapters

A Guide to the native mammals of Australia
Ride, W.D.L. (1970). A Guide to the native mammals of Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii. In: S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan (eds), The Mammals of Australia
Friend, J. A. (2008). Gilbert's Potoroo, Potorous gilbertii. In: S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan (eds), The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition, (pp. 297-298). Sydney: Reed New Holland.

Links to Government Agencies

Department of the Environment

Website of the Australian Federal Government Department of the Environment

http://www.environment.gov.au/

Biodiversity

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity

Threatened Species and Ecological Communities

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened

Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research

The Centre's major function is to document the biological diversity of the Australian environment through establishing the taxonomic identity and relationships of native plants, their geographical distribution, and their ecological relationships.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/index.html

Truffle-like fungi in Australia (Australian National Botanic Gardens: Fungi Web Site)

The truffle-like fungi differ from the bulk of the fungi discussed on this website, in that the truffle-like fruiting bodies are generally produced underground...

http://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/truffle-like.html

Links to Environmental/Conservation Organisations Groups

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: Since their inception, the IUCN Red Data Books and Red Lists have enjoyed an increasingly prominent role in guiding conservation activities of governments, NGOs and scientific institutions...

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Potorous gilbertii

IUCN Red List entry for Gilbert's Potoroo.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18107/0

WWF Australia

We are a part of the WWF International Network - the world's largest independent conservation organisation...

http://www.wwf.org.au/

Threatened Species Network

The Threatened Species Network (TSN) has a rich history of community-based conservation work. Unfortunately, the government funding that made this program possible is no longer available.

http://www.wwf.org.au/news_resources/archives/threatened_species_network/

TSN Fact sheet: Gilbert's potoroo [01/10/2003]

Fact Sheet on Gilbert's Potoroo (Adobe Acrobat PDF format)

http://awsassets.wwf.org.au/downloads/sp005_fs_gilberts_potoroo_1oct03.pdf

The Australian Mammal Society

The Australian Mammal Society (AMS) is an interdisciplinary society of biologists whose common interest is in the biology and conservation of Australian mammals.

http://www.australianmammals.org.au/

Earthwatch Australia

Earthwatch engages people in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/

Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group Inc

PO Box 654
Albany
Western Australia 6331

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