In addition to helping restore a native species, the bogul (Dharug) translocation and urban rewilding projects will provide cruical research insights to pave the way for future reintroductions in urban environments.
Ecology
Australia has the world’s highest mammal extinction rates. Conservation reintroductions (rewilding) are an important tool responding to this biodiversity crisis yet can often fail. Monitoring and anchoring animals to a chosen release site, are major challenges for rewilding reintroduction projects. Our ecological research is focused on the application of behaviour-based strategies under the following key themes:
- Translocating animal’s olfactory environment (odour) to their new home;
- Moving animals with their social neighbours; as well as;
- Integrating artificial habitat to support post-release reintroduction monitoring.
This theme is led by A/Prof Thomas Newsome and Prof Peter Banks.
Genetics
Genetic diversity is essential for maintaining healthy populations – it increases resilience by preventing inbreeding and providing genetic variation so that species can adapt to new threats. Our genetics research will investagate the following themes:
- Genetic diversity changes in source populations used for reintroductions
- Genetic health of bogul populations established at Twin Creeks and Allenby Park reserves
- Long term genetic monitoring of the North Head reserve bogul population
This theme is led by A/Prof Catherine Grueber.
Social science
It is essential that people’s voices are included in the rewilding process so that no one is excluded from these discussions. This is where social research comes in handy: by gathering residents’ views on species reintroductions, it is possible to understand what level of ‘wild’ is considered acceptable. In this way, we can attempt to improve life in cities for both humans and other species. Our social research will investigate the following themes:
- The imaginary of ‘wild’ in cities
- Residents’ perception of species
- Use of urban greenspaces
- Attitudes towards species management and pet containment
This theme is led by Prof Phil McManus and Prof Donna Houston.
Sydney Rewilding Initiative 