Mammals of Australia
- July 6, 2010
Priam Research & Breeding, in collaboration with the ACT Government, University of NSW, FAME (Foundation for Australia’s most Endangered Species) & CSIRO is developing a sustainable captive population of Pookila – Pseudomys novaehollandiae – New Holland Mice, providing animals for re-introduction into the Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary near Canberra, Australia.
- November 28, 2013
Priam Psittaculture Centre Research & Breeding (PPC R&B), in partnership with the ACT Government and the University of NSW, is conservation breeding New Holland Mice for re-introduction into Mulligans Flat just outside Canberra.
The purposes of this reintroduction are:
1. to reintroduce a locally extinct species, the New Holland Mouse, into the ACT.
2. to examine the factors affecting the success of reintroductions, including the behavior of individual mice.
3. to examine the interaction of the New Holland Mouse with the Mulligans Flat environment, and with other species that have been released into the sanctuary in an attempt to reconstruct an ecosystem.
- June 24, 2017
Priam Psittaculture Centre Research & Breeding (PPC R&B), in collaboration with the NSW Government is researching and breeding Koonooms for re-introduction into South East Forest, NSW Australia.
This video shows the reintroduction/transloaction site and surveys conducted prior to the translocation.
The purposes of this reintroduction/translocation are:
1. to reintroduce a locally extinct species, the Smoky Mouse, into the their known habitat.
2. to examine the factors affecting the success of reintroductions, including the behaviour and movements of individual mice.
3. to examine the interaction of the Smoky Mouse Mouse with the native species within the ecosystem.
- October 13, 2020
This video is about Koonoom ‘Smoky Mouse’ (Pseudomys fumeus) 2019-2020 Research & Breeding Recovery Update.
Pseudomys fumeus is the third species of Pseudomys PPC has worked with, following research with Silky Mouse (Pseudomys apodemoides) and New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae).
The Research & Breeding of Smoky Mouse is to establish the biological reproductive knowledge, diets, husbandry skills and techniques to reintroduced the species back to the wild. PPC has had success with reintroductions of New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) and aims to use the same procedures to facilitate the translocation of Koonoom ‘Smoky Mouse’ (Pseudomys fumeus) to its range state in south-east NSW Australia.
The Smoky Mouse Pseudomys Fumeus translocation program breeding summary for 2019 / 2020.
The founder population consisted of three pairs.
The population exceeded 40 individuals.
10 Male, 8 Female, 22 Offspring
Prior to 2019/20 breeding season, the research & breeding insurance population was 26 mice.
15 Male 11 Female
Total bred and successfully weaned during the 2019/20 breeding season: 22
Total confirmed bred: 33
Unique discoveries:
One female produced 6 litters.
Breeding stimulus via Intra season pair separation.
Captive breeding of 3rd generation offspring.
Newly designed acclimatisation enclosures successfully produced pups.
The first litter was born 17/10/2019.
Last litter to date was born the 17/4/2020.
6 month breeding season.
Max. Litter size of 4 pups.
Min. Litter size of 1 pup.
Weaning at 21 days.
The breeding population was divided into two for a breeding trial.
Diet A was developed from over 10 years worth of research in Pseudomys.
Diet A produced 25 confirmed pups with 21 living.
Diet B produced 5 confirmed pups with 1 living.
9 Mice died from bushfire smoke (5 mature and 4 juveniles).
3 mature mice died due to other causes.
Participation rate for females:
Diet A – 75%
Diet B – 50%
Offspring produced per participating female:
Diet A – 7
Diet B – 0.5
This project is a collaboration with:
Saving our Species
Priam Psittaculture Centre – Research & Breeding
PPC R&B
NSW Government
Charles Sturt University – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories CSU VDL
National Threatened Species Institute a Registered Environmental Organisation
NTSI REO
Music ‘Time’ by ASHUTOSH
Miah Multimedia
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10686
- October 27, 2020
Pseudomys reintroduction into Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, Canberra ACT.
The New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae translocation/reintroduction by PPC to
Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary
Canberra, ACT.
PPC’s Research & Breeding spans multiple Pseudomys species and over a decade of Reproductive Biological Research and Achievements. Comprising;
– Silky Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae
– New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae
– Koonoom Smoky Mouse Pseudomys fumeus
Reproducing multiple generations, enabling reintroductions to occur in a sustained manner establishing & reinforcing wild populations.
Pseudomys are essential for bioturbation
(the re-working of soils and sediments)
They are consumers, encouraging regeneration.
Pseudomys play a number of key roles in maintaining healthy functioning ecosystems.
Their digging behaviour provides safe sites for seeds, thereby increasing seedling germination and growth.
Pseudomys disperse seed & fungal spores through the landscape.
They provide multiple benefits to the overall ecosystem:
– Capturing organic matter
– Increasing water infiltration
– Soil water holding capacity
– Improving soil health
They are ecosystem engineers, ‘redecorating’ the lower structures of the environment.
This helps build up ecological resilience.
Reintroductions occurred over two years.
Trial releases commenced on 21-2-13
Further releases occurred:
March & October 2013
July, August & September 2014
Prior to the reintroduction into Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, the New Holland Mouse had not been recorded living in the environment.
Release diet consisted of organic powdered formula fed as a supplementation, to promote sourcing of wild foods whilst still providing essential nutrition for survival.
New Holland Mouse Unique discoveries:
Mice have persisted two years post-release.
Preferred habitat appears to be grassland.
Captive breeding of 3rd generation offspring.
Releases fewer than 100 individuals can establish a population in the species former range.
New Holland Mouse:
Head-body length: ~65–90 mm
Tail length: ~80–105 mm
Tail is 10–15% longer than the body
Hindfoot length: ~20–22 mm.
Music ‘Beyond’ by Ian Post.
Habitat Selection and Genetic Diversity of a Reintroduced ‘refugee species’:
https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acv.12550
These projects have been in collaboration with:
Saving our Species
FAME – Foundation for Australia’s
Most Endangered
NSW Government
ACT Government
Charles Sturt University – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories CSU VDL
National Threatened Species Institute a Registered Environmental Organisation
NTSI REO
CSIRO
Priam Psittaculture Centre – Research & Breeding
PPC R&B
- October 13, 2021
Pseudomy reintroduction is a sensitive process which requires a gentle approach to living in the protection of experienced personal at PPC and the National Threatened Species Institute. The acclimatisation enclosure ensures a safe risk adverse stage where the small native mammals can be monitored as they explore a wild type environment. Assesment of the behaviours displayed in the acclimatisation enclosure helps determine where when and how they can be returned to the wild Australian landscape.
Potential Pathogens – Under the Microscope
A useful document illustrating potential Pathogens as viewed under the Microscope from Priam research & breeding centre.