With support from its donors, AWC is implementing an active program of on-ground management designed to provide a secure future for the wildlife of Mt Zero-Taravale.
Mt Zero-Taravale contains an enormous diversity of ecosystems. Very little is known about many of these ecosystems, particularly those that are not protected in any government national parks. As a result, the task of developing and implementing an effective management regime at Mt Zero-Taravale represents a significant challenge for AWC.
However, AWC is well placed to meet this challenge. Our staff team in north Queensland has an exceptional level of experience and expertise. Peter Stanton (Queensland Regional Manager), Peter Hensler (Mt Zero-Taravale Sanctuary Manager) and Mick Blackman (Brooklyn Sanctuary Manager) have in total more than 60 years experience in the management of national parks and nature reserves in Queensland.
AWC has already entered into a conservation agreement with the Queensland Government covering Mt Zero-Taravale. The conservation agreement allowed for Mt Zero-Taravale to be declared as a Nature Refuge under Queensland legislation, formalising its status as a protected area.
A formal management plan is being prepared by AWC and is expected to be finalised in 2006. We are, of course, already implementing priority on-ground measures to protect Mt Zero-Taravale’s stunning wildlife. AWC’s key management priorities at Mt Zero-Taravale include:
- Implementation and development of a fire management strategy which has as its primary objective the conservation of biodiversity.
- Weed control, particularly removal of lantana.
- The conduct of biodiversity surveys and the preparation of a vegetation (habitat) map of the property.
- Establishment and implementation of strategic research projects to inform future management.
- Cessation of logging of the wet sclerophyll forests – this has already been achieved.
- Staged removal of all cattle – this is almost complete.
- Implementation of a biodiversity monitoring program to inform the ongoing development of sanctuary management strategies.
- Establishment and maintenance of infrastructure for sanctuary management.
- Development of co-operative arrangements with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Defence Department to ensure co-ordinated landscape-scale management of more than 300,000 ha across Mt Zero-Taravale and adjacent National Parks, State Forest and Defence land.
- In due course, the development of limited visitor facilities such as a campground and walking trails.
Mt Zero-Taravale is relatively free of most feral animals – for example, there are no foxes or goats and very few feral horses. Accordingly, there are no specific and immediate feral animal control measures which must be implemented by AWC. However, AWC may in future need to take action in relation to feral cats.
