Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) Conservation on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Malleefowl continue to survive on northern Eyre Peninsula (EP) in isolated patches of habitat both in the reserve scheme and on private land. However, information on the viability of these scattered populations remains limited. Ideally, to ensure the long-term survival of Malleefowl on EP we need to monitor population parameters such as abundance, breeding success and degree of genetic isolation to inform management decisions. Unfortunately this task is made difficult by the life-history traits and cryptic nature of the Malleefowl. As a start, the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) and the local community are monitoring the breeding activity of Malleefowl by setting up grids at 5 sites across EP. These grids are located in Munyaroo, Pinkawillinie and Hincks Conservation Parks and on private land near Cowell and Lock. DEH and a Greencorps Team set up three of the five grids in 1998. These grids were surveyed in 1998, 2003 (partly) & 2004. Local Malleefowl enthusiasts have surveyed the Cowell grid for nine years. The Lock grid was recently set up in Oct 2003 in conjunction with a Greencorps Team and community volunteers. Information gained by these surveys will be used to inform on-ground works and increase community awareness. It is also hoped that this baseline information can be built upon and expanded in the future by additional monitoring and research. Other initiatives that are helping to conserve our Malleefowl populations on EP have also been outlined.