Wildlife Surveys in Tasmania

​​​​Wildlife monitoring is an integral part of a wildlife management and conservation that informs managers of the success or otherwise of their programs. 

Sixteen species (80%) of the 20 species of wildlife subjected to either harvesting or culling in Tasmania are monitored and the results used to ensure that they are being managed sustainably.


Annual Statewide​ Spotlight Survey

This survey monitors the major harvested species
  • brushtail possum​
  • Tasmanian pademelon
  • Bennett's wallaby

In more recent times they have also proved useful in monitoring a number of other species of conservation significance
  • common wombat
  • Tasmanian devil
  • bettong

Monitorin​g Duck Po​​pulations

Each February since 1985 the Department carries out a state-wide count of waterbirds with assistance from the Parks and Wildlife Service and many volunteers. These counts are not an attempt to count all of the ducks in the state but rather to get an index of trends in the populations.

A sample of 75 wetlands, of a variety of types, (e.g. farm dams to estuaries) are counted each year and the number of ducks seen gives an indication of whether duck numbers have increased or decreased. This information is then graphed, to indicate trends in the populations.
 
The graphs are available as the State-wide Waterbird Survey:

​

Our responsibilities​

In Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) is responsible for the conservation, management and protection of Tasmania's wildlife under the provisions of the Nature Conservation Act 2002, the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Whales Protection Act 1988. Over forty species of wildlife are monitored by DPIPWE. including 
  • rare and threatened species 
  • harvested species 

 

Contact

Wildlife Management
Level 5, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart
GPO Box 44
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6165 4305
Email: wildlife.reception@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

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