Conservation of the greater stick-nest rat - a review of attempts to establish new
populations by translocation over the past 30 years.
The greater stick-nest rat Leporillus conditor survived only on the Franklin Islands
in South Australia, some 35 km south of Ceduna. Its sister species, the lesser stick-nest
rat, is now extinct. Both species were last recorded on the Australian mainland in
the 1930s.
Conservation actions have included extensive surveys of the species’ former mainland
range, establishment of a captive colony, and numerous translocations. To date, there
have been ten attempts to establish new populations by translocation across three
States with varying degrees of success. These translocations have been spread between
sites managed by government, non-government and community sectors.
This review of translocation success is a collaboration between scientists from Western
Australia and South Australia who have been actively involved in field programs to
conserve the species.
