The projects of the Malleefowl Preservation Group are focused on working with farmers and pastoralists to address the decline of the Malleefowl and associated habitat. The community initiated on-ground projects provide agency and similar interest organisations with a direct link to landholder conservation programs.  

Give A CHICK A CHANCE

The Research

When Malleefowl chicks hatch they must dig their way to the surface, and then, after a short rest, run off into the bush alone. The chicks are independent as the parents have nothing more to do with them. They must learn to find food and shelter, and avoid predators on their own.

Unfortunately, after they leave the mound, we know very little about them until they reach adulthood 2-4 years later. How many survive? Why do they die? How far can they move between small bush remnants? Will they use wildlife corridors?

As much of the Malleefowl habitat in WA has been cleared for agriculture, many populations have become isolated in small bush remnants that dot the farmland. The movement of the young birds between these remnants is important for the relatively isolated populations to continue.

This research will identify management tools that can be used to maximise the chance of chicks reaching breeding age and moving between remnants.

The research involves collecting and hatching eggs, fitting the young Malleefowl chicks with radio transmitters and releasing them into small bush remnants. The chicks are then radio-tracked in order to learn more about where they go and what they do.

Unfortunately the work is expensive. This is due to the costs associated with radio-tracking and the rural nature of the study sites. It also does not help when predators such as feral cats and foxes chew up transmitters or birds of prey carry the chicks with their transmitters out of range of the receiver!

Click on the image of the chick for a larger view to see the transmitter. The antenna is the fine wire running to the right from the transmitter package between its shoulders.

The Campaign

In 2004, the MPG was approached with the idea of using the Trust to provide a means to collect donations from the public and corporations through a 'Sponsor a chick' type program. With their approval, a working group was set up under the Trust, the aim of which is not only to assist in raising funds for this particular project, but also to set in place processes necessary for the long term ability of the Trust to select further research projects to support through raising and providing funds.

The idea behind the 'Give a CHICK A CHANCE' campaign is to give businesses, individuals and groups the opportunity to be a part of the research, as well as supporting it. The $500 donation to sponsor a radio transmitter will go toward the costs associated with the radio tracking research.

Donors will be kept up date on the progress of their transmitter with regular reports on the chicks wearing it; their development, behaviour and movements, and an overall tracking history of their transmitter.

Personal donations of other amounts are also appreciated, and all donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible through the Community Conservation Trust with an idea to raise much needed funds for research into the dispersal and survivorship of Malleefowl chicks.

Malleefowl research and monitoring

Malleefowl Preservation Group research is guided by an appointed research advisory committee member under the direction of the National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl (Benshemesh)

The MPG has established 5 monitoring sites in the local region (Gnowangerup and Jerramungup Shires) as documented in “The First Five Years” report. The area surveyed is approximately 1,000 ha representing the following -

On a state basis, the MPG has assisted communities to establish sites at Mullewa, Yeelirrie Station, Mt. Jackson and is linking with members in the Lake Grace region. The aim of the surveys is to record breeding densities, monitor annual changes in Malleefowl breeding activity, conduct associated habitat surveys and implement habitat protection projects such as remnant vegetation projection and feral animal control.

In 2004, the MPG formed a partnership with CSIRO to take a landscape-wide approach to understanding factors affecting the distribution and abundance of malleefowl. This project is working with the extensive dataset of malleefowl sightings amassed by the group over the past decade aiming to improve malleefowl conservation by identifying -

a) high and low population habitats
b) High value remnants not adequately protected
c) Road death sites and management actions
d) Corridor opportunities
e) Conservation/Farm management practices
f) High value re-introduction sites
g) Impacts of fire and predator management

University Links

The MPG is supporting PhD and Masters students with a prime focus (2005) on PhD research "The survival and disbursal of malleefowl chicks in isolated remnants" (Jessica van der Waag)

Associated habitat surveys

In addition to malleefowl monitoring, the Malleefowl Preservation Group have conducted and assisted in vegetation associated mapping, fauna and insect trapping/identification, feral animal control monitoring and 1080 (sodium monoflouroacetate) bait medium research (Dr. D. King, Dept Agriculture, WA).

Fox baiting

This project commenced in 1994 in the Corackerup Reserve and now operates in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Land Management's (CALM) Western Shield baiting program resulting in the 4,334ha reserve being baited every 6 weeks. Agriculture Western Australia personnel have assisted the MPG to investigate the consistently high percentage of bait takes and research on the longevity of 1080 poison in egg baits.

Cat and Rabbit Control

A valuable alliance has been formed with the Kent Districts Hunting and Conservation Group (a sub-group of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia WA) who regularly patrol the malleefowl corridor to shoot feral cats, rabbits and foxes.

The Feral Cat

The MPG developed an innovatinve Kitless Kat Klinick program in 1998 in response to two reported malleefowl chicks being delivered to farming homesteads by domestic cats. Three Kitless Kat Klinicks in the Great Southern District have offered free cat serialization as a means to encourage responsible cat ownership in rural areas and increase awareness of the feral cat predation on native species. This project operates under the guidelines of the Western Australian Veterinary Association and is available to rural interest groups upon application.

Community awareness and school education

The MPG values and encourages community awareness projects through displays at regional shows, field days and seminars. This has included urban displays at the Kings Park Wildflower Festival and Garden Week Ecotopia. The group's primary school education program has been delivered to seventy rural schools since 1994. In 2002 Malleefowl Magic, a package specifically designed for junior, middle and upper primary school classes, was distributed to approximately 50 Western Australian primary schools. As a curriculum and outcome based program, the education package includes a big book, little book, 90 page teacher's work book and activity sheets, CD with "Old Man Malleefowl" song, malleefowl calls and teacher's feed back form.

Wildlife corridors

In recognition of the heritage values of the malleefowl to the Gnowangerup Shire community and the identification of a small isolated high density malleefowl breeding site, a corridor plan was developed in 1993.

Stage One

Funded by the Gordon Reid Foundation for Conservation (Lotterywest), twenty one kilometres of fencing and re-vegetation involving seven farming properties was completed in 1994.

Stage Two

Funded by Envirofunds, BP Kwinana and Lotterywest, 19.47 km was fenced and re-vegetation in 2003 to link with the Mindarabin Reserve owned by the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation. This included the picking, germinating, direct seeding and planting of local providence seed. The land donated by local farmers for stage two represents 1,500 average sized urban housing bocks.

Stage Three

Coordinated by the Kent District LCDC. Final link to the Lake Magenta Reserve and Macro Corridor project incorporating Kent Shire road verges was completed (2004/5). The corridor now measures 63 kms.Corridor Protection:All remnant vegetation is fenced. Regular feral animal patrols are conducted by the Kent Districts Hunting and Conservation Group, a partnership with the Kent Districts Sporting and Shooters Association of Australia (WA) members.

The Mulga to Mallee Link - A visionary project to link the mulga arid zones of the Goldfields to the higher rainfall regions of the South Western Australian coastline. Currently in early development stages.

Road verges mapping

The final report was published in June 1999 by the Roadside Conservation Committee (Dept Conservation & Land Management). Thirty five MPG volunteers completed the project initially commenced in 1994 by the Ongerup & Needilup District Museum. The report includes a generic code of practice to assist regional shires with road maintenance, road planning, local species revegetation, conservation of road verges for wildlife corridors, tourism, farm wind breaks, stock shelters, local providence seed collection and weed/feral animal control.

Recording malleefowl sightings

Approximately 1200 sighting forms have been reported to the Malleefowl Preservation Group (2005).  A joint project with CSIRO (2004) aims to develop the database and mapping of Malleefowl sightings in Western Australia. This will assist in identifying current population trends,habitat requirements and contribute to off reserve management guidelines.

Assistance to rural interest groups

The MPG is working with and providing resource material for interest groups eg Goldfields Naturalist Club, Nulla Nulla Malleefowl Group (Bodallin), North Central Malleefowl Preservation Group, Beacon, Mukinbudin, , Narembeen (Grabal catchment group), Kent and Jerramungup Land Conservation District Committee's (LCDC's) and Lake Grace Community.

Social activities

Bush walks, picnics and Malleefowl mound monitoring. These social days are advertised in the group’s Malleefowl Matter newsletter and local newspapers. For example, the MPG celebrated ten years of achievements with 95 participants at a "Year of the Outback" camp out weekend in the Stirling Ranges in July 2002.

Volunteer Opportunities

The MPG welcomes volunteer support particularly for malleefowl camp outs and bush walking surveys - a high degree of fitness is essential. Volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Registration form.

Eventsletter Publication

“Malleefowl Matter” distribution is currently 1000.  This newsletter is posted to members three times a year.

Past Projects

Click here to view projects that are no longer taking place.