Follow up trapping on Middle Island

With the establishment of Middle Island as the Gilbert’s Potoroo’s newest home (& third “insurance” population) came the opportunity for Ken Bushell to get in some volunteer hours.

With the establishment of Middle Island as the Gilbert’s Potoroo’s newest home (& third “insurance” population) came the opportunity for Ken Bushell to get in some volunteer hours by joining DBCA’s Tim Button on a trip to the island primarily to recover tail transmitters with GPS pods from the 6 recently released Potoroos .

Although cut short by bad weather forecasts the trip was successful with all 6 transmitters & GPSs recovered after being dropped by the animals. Once downloaded the GPS data will provide good information on the range & areas frequented & preferred by the animals. The opportunity was also taken to set the trap lines for 1 night only, capturing 1 Potoroo from the summer trial group & 1 from the recent release group. Both were found in excellent condition giving greater hope for the future. Around 20 truffle species have been identified on the island which will provide a good food source.

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One of the captured Potoroos being checked for size and condition.

Middle Island is fairly remote being the largest island in The Recherche Archipelago & located off Cape Arid east of Esperance. The island was home to Australia’s only recorded pirate Black Jack Anderson who arrived on a stricken whaler in the early 19th century & controlled the islands & waters of the archipelago for 10 years. Middle Island also has a quite spectacular land-locked “pink” lake (Lake Hillier pictured below) which is considered as a wetland of regional significance.