Red-Tailed Phascogale

Thanks to dedicated efforts by a number of conservation groups and individuals over the past decade, the future for Red-Tailed Phascogales is improving. Community awareness has increased, as have sightings (including breeding reports). However, there is still a long way to go to protect this iconic arboreal mammal. The aim of this FNPW funded project is to continue to raise awareness, improve the availability of nesting / breeding spaces and to reduce predation by cats.

The project builds on significant work by Katanning Landcare, Wagin-Woodanilling Landcare, Bush Heritage Australia, the South West Catchments Council and Wheatbelt NRM over many years – projects which have included awareness raising, environmental fencing, revegetation, predator control, nest box construction and installation and community reporting. An on-line Phascogale Nest Box Monitoring Survey portal has been developed and will continue to be used for community members to monitor and report usage of their nest boxes – giving important data on distribution and population.

The specific activities chosen for this project look at what the community currently needs and has capacity to achieve – more nest boxes built, cat predation highlighted (which hasn’t been tackled directly in Katanning before) and the continued education of local children.