These small etchings are from another art project I am doing. And they are a good reminder of how our beloved meows can be active predators to our local native fauna.
The bandicoot talk given by Dr Tanya Leary presented by IWEG was thoroughly enlightening. There is already a lot of information on these Marsupials via the net so google ahead if you want more.
from my notes:
21 bandicoot species ... the long-nosed are common but not here in the inner west where they had disappeared in the 1970's. Now rediscovered in 2002. Being a disjunct population it is classed as endangered. A worrying fact: 7 reported deaths in 12 months.
They are about the size of a rabbit and do hop and are fecund as rabbits too. Described as "naive" they don't avoid traffic and their threats are high. Local predators include our domestic friends and feral foxes. Here they have been found living under old style houses and one lady has been known to feed them steak!
Our responsibility could include being pro-active about a night curfew for cats; covering compost, no outside pet food to minimize attracting foxes; "mosaic" clearing and planting of gardens... this integral approach to weed removal is practiced by bushcare groups so our fauna have plenty of dense and interspersed foliage - the ideal habitat for the bandicoots!
The bandicoot talk given by Dr Tanya Leary presented by IWEG was thoroughly enlightening. There is already a lot of information on these Marsupials via the net so google ahead if you want more.
from my notes:
21 bandicoot species ... the long-nosed are common but not here in the inner west where they had disappeared in the 1970's. Now rediscovered in 2002. Being a disjunct population it is classed as endangered. A worrying fact: 7 reported deaths in 12 months.
They are about the size of a rabbit and do hop and are fecund as rabbits too. Described as "naive" they don't avoid traffic and their threats are high. Local predators include our domestic friends and feral foxes. Here they have been found living under old style houses and one lady has been known to feed them steak!
Our responsibility could include being pro-active about a night curfew for cats; covering compost, no outside pet food to minimize attracting foxes; "mosaic" clearing and planting of gardens... this integral approach to weed removal is practiced by bushcare groups so our fauna have plenty of dense and interspersed foliage - the ideal habitat for the bandicoots!
