What we’re doing
As a consequence of land clearing in this part of the world, large tracts of land are now threatened by salinity, and Kojonup Reserve is no exception.
Ecologist Angela Sanders with a Red-tailed Phascogale. Photo Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW).
The southwest corner of the property has been particularly hard hit, with areas of the native bushland dead or salt-affected. However, tree-planting in neighbouring properties seems to be yielding some results, with the saline groundwater table remaining steady in recent years.
The only weed of significance on the reserve is Bridal Creeper and this is controlled every year to minimise its spread.
Phascogales on a mission
When dusk settles at Kojonup, if you know where to look, this reserve can put on a show you'll never forget.
Tiny marsupials called Red-tailed Phascogales, no bigger than the size of a couple of matchboxes, fly through the air, leaping two metres at a time and gripping the sides of trees, almost as if their feet were wrapped in Velcro.
Ecologist Angela Sanders supervises volunteers setting up a nesting box for relocated Red-tailed Phascogales.
Once common in this area, Red-tailed Phascogales have declined dramatically in numbers, and now have the dubious distinction of being nationally endangered.
Brought to Kojonup Reserve in May 2010 and 2011 from various sites in the WA wheat belt, 30 individuals – 16 females and 14 males – were released just ahead of their mating season. Their mission: to contribute to increasing the number of self-sustaining populations in the region.
The males usually die after a single frenzied mating season, during which they pursue females at the expense of all other activities. But the females can live up to three years and can reproduce two or three times during that period.
Together with the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, we're monitoring the breeding success of the Kojonup population, which may help to save this species from extinction.
Cultural values
Kojonup is an Aboriginal name said to mean ‘place of the stone axe' (kodja) and the stone used to make it (kodj).
The O'Halloran family owned Kojonup Reserve between 1926 and 1996, and were so intent on protecting its woodlands that when it came time for them to sell they spent 10 years finding the appropriate buyer – Bush Heritage.