Mammals recover after fire

Killcare resident and National Parks and Wildlife Service's biodiversity officer Mr Doug Beckers has recently completed a study into the recovery of native species after bush fires in Bouddi National Park.

"We began our live trapping program of small ground mammals in Bouddi National Park at the start of the month," Mr Beckers said.

"We trapped two different mammals over the three day program; the brown antechinus (marsupial mouse) and the native bush rat.

"From setting 30 traps at five trap sites in Bouddi, we caught 34 rats and six antechinus.

"Compared to studies done in previous years, we did not trap any house mice."

Following a fire at Bouddi in 2005, Mr Beckers said he trapped three house mice in 2006 and five house mice in 2007.

Mr Beckers said the house mouse was a feral animal and was the most widespread of all mammals in Australia.

He said the department had been conducting similar studies since 2004.

"From these recent findings we have discovered a good recovery of native species after bush fires," Mr Beckers said.

"There has been an increase in the number of native species trapped and a decrease in the number of feral species trapped.

"From this it is safe to say the bush is in pretty good shape."

Clare Graham, April 11 2008 Interviewee: Doug Beckers, National Parks and Wildlife Services