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Environment and Heritage

Yiraaldiya National Park feral predator-free area: update May 2024

Eastern bettongs and koalas have been released in the Stage 1 area, and the Stage 2 conservation fence construction starts soon.

 

Stage 1 'soft release' area is complete

The Stage 1 'soft release' area has been established after successful construction of the conservation fence and feral predator eradication. Feral herbivores such as deer, pigs and hare were also removed from the area. This has allowed the first reintroductions of locally extinct animal species.

  • Eastern bettong leaping from bag as 2 NPWS officers look on.
    An eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) has a first look at its new home in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) has his first look at his new home in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: P Taseski/DCCEEW
  • Workman fixing skirt of mesh fence to ground.
    Pinning the ‘skirt’ of the conservation fence, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Pinning the ‘skirt’ of the conservation fence, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Workman using powertool to fix mesh net to ground
    Close-up of the ‘skirt’ of the conservation fence being pinned down, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Close-up of pinning the ‘skirt’ of the conservation fence, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW

The first animal reintroductions have been achieved

The first successful reintroductions of locally extinct animals – eastern bettongs and koalas – have been achieved at Yiraaldiya National Park. All animals are being monitored and are reported to be doing well in their new habitat.

This is an exciting milestone for this project, as the last known record of an eastern bettong in New South Wales is 1906. By the 1920s, the animal was extinct on the Australian mainland. Koala populations have suffered localised extinctions across the Cumberland Plan since the early 20th century.

Eastern bettongs

Eastern bettongs are a small hopping marsupial related to kangaroos. The animals were sourced from Mulligans Flat in the Australian Capital Territory. For the full story and images, including video, see the media release: Eastern bettongs return to NSW after 100-year absence in historic wildlife reintroduction project.

  • NPWS officers inspecting a box on the road.
    NPWS team arrive at Yiraaldiya with eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) on board
    NPWS team arrived at Yiraaldiya with eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) on board.
    Image Credit: P Taseski/DCCEEW
  • Three NPWS officers carrying bags and safety gear through bush.
    NPWS team find the perfect spot to release the eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team find the perfect spot to release the eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) in Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: P Taseski/DCCEEW
  • Three NPWS officers kneeling with bag.
    NPWS team prepare to release one of 3 eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) into Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team prepare to release one of three eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) into Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: P Taseski/DCCEEW
  • Eastern bettong springing from bag with 2 NPWS officers looking on.
    An eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) released and ready to explore its new home in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) released and ready to explore his new home in Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: P Taseski/DCCEEW

Koalas

The release of koalas in the park was also a significant milestone event supported by Dharug and Dharawal traditional custodians and other local community members.

This reintroduction event goes to re-establishing a disease-free and genetically diverse population that will reinforce nearby koala populations. In the future, koala offspring from the Yiraaldiya National Park will be able to supplement nearby populations that have low growth rates, or face inbreeding or disease threats.

More of this story is to come from the NPWS Koala Translocation Project Team.

  • Two officers carrying an animal box into the forest.
    NPWS team walking to the location to release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Two NPWS officers opening animal carrier.
    NPWS team opening an animal carrier to release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Two NPWS officers lifting a large green bag from an animal carrier.
    NPWS team take a koala out of its carrier for release (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Two NPWS officers checking inside a large green bag they pulled from rom an animal carrier.
    NPWS team prepare to release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • NPWS carrying a large green bag into the forest.
    NPWS team carrying a koala to its new home (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • NPWS officer kneeling at base of tree with green bag, a koala is climbing out and reaching for the tree.
    NPWS team release the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Koala climbing tree with two ear tags. One is bright yellow, and the other is grey.
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and watch it climb a tree in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Koala sitting in a tree with bright yellow ear tag, and tracking device on it's back.
    The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in its new home in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW
  • Koala in tree, obscured by leaves.
    Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) eating leaves in Yiraaldiya National Park
    NPWS team release a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Yiraaldiya National Park
    Image Credit: DCCEEW

Planning for locally extinct animal reintroductions

Reintroduction involves animal translocation – capture from one site (wild or an alternative such as a captive breeding), transportation to, and release at a new site. The release is always followed by monitoring the animal's acclimatisation to their new home environment.

Translocation is done with careful planning based on the best science that assesses animal health and welfare and ensures the highest chance of success. The actual translocation of animals is subject to the final review and approval of these plans.

Animal reintroductions will be ongoing over several years to accommodate the large number of species being brought back to this site. Planning is underway for the 2024–25 reintroductions, subject to final approvals, of the following locally extinct animals:

  • New Holland mouse
  • long-nosed bandicoot
  • bush rat
  • koalas.

Stage 2 area construction is underway

Work occurring onsite includes civil works and vegetation management. The upgrade of management trails and floodway crossings for site operations and management (including fire) is well underway. Construction of the conservation fence is scheduled to start in April–May, subject to factors such as weather.

Adaptive reuse and development of existing infrastructure to cater to visitors is underway. The visitor precinct is expected to welcome visitors in 2025.

  • Dirt road going towards bush.
    Stage 2 southern boundary trail upgrade
    Stage 2 southern boundary trail upgrade
    Image Credit: R San/DCCEEW
  • A partially constructed building with an open front, showing several workstations inside. Construction materials and tools are scattered around, and a worker in a yellow shirt is seen working inside. A white truck is parked in the background. The sky is cloudy.
    Work underway to upgrade existing infrastructure to cater for park visitors, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Work underway to upgrade existing infrastructure to cater for park visitors, Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: DCCEEW

Hazard reduction burning

Routine fire management activity has been integrated with establishing feral predator-free areas, helping to improve protection for neighbouring properties and communities in the event of future wildfires. For more information, see our media release: Yiraaldiya National Park Hazard Reduction Burn.

  • The image depicts a scene of a fire emergency in New South Wales, Australia. In the foreground, there’s a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) fire truck parked on a dirt road. The side of the truck is labeled “NPWS FIRE” and also has a “FIRST-AID” logo. Equipment, including hoses for firefighting, is mounted on the side of the truck. In the background, smoke rises into the sky, indicating an ongoing wildfire. The natural environment features trees lining both sides of the dirt road.
    Hazard reduction burn, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Hazard reduction burn, Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: H Turner/DCCEEW
  • a section of forest that has recently been affected by fire. The ground is covered in blackened soil and ash, indicating the aftermath of the fire. There are still some small pockets of smoke rising from the ground, suggesting that the fire might have occurred recently. In the foreground, there are burnt plants and trees with their branches and leaves turned to ash. In contrast, the background shows green trees that appear untouched by the fire.
    Hazard reduction mop up, Yiraaldiya National Park
    Hazard reduction mop up, Yiraaldiya National Park.
    Image Credit: T Taseski/DCCEEW

Next steps – feral predator eradication

Once the conservation fence is complete, feral predator eradication (cats, foxes and wild dogs) will follow immediately. This will be conducted in line with feral animal control plans and regulations, including public notification of pest control operations (see the National Parks and Wildlife Service Alerts page).

A range of conventional methods will be used, including trapping, shooting and 1080 baiting, following relevant codes of practice and permits from NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

'1080' is the common name for the vertebrate pesticide sodium fluoroacetate, used to control specific feral animals such as wild dogs, foxes, feral pigs and rabbits. 1080 notifications will follow the specific legislative requirements and comply with the 1080 Pest Control Order.

Next project update

The next project update will be published as the Stage 2 conservation fence is completed.