While much of Mt Zero-Taravale is biologically unexplored, the diversity of habitats supports a remarkable variety of wildlife. Expert advice suggests that the sanctuary is likely to be home to:
- more than 70 mammal species (more than Kakadu National Park!);
- around 200 bird species; and
- more than 50 reptiles and 20 amphibians.
The sanctuary is a hotspot for threatened species, with more than 27 threatened species found on the property. Threatened species that find refuge on Mt Zero-Taravale include the Northern Bettong, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Sharman’s Rock-wallaby, Green Ringtail Possum, Masked Owl, Red Goshawk and the elusive Southern Cassowary.
Mt Zero-Taravale is particularly significant for the conservation of the Northern Bettong, one of Australia’s rarest mammals. The reserve protects one of the last three populations of this small macropod. The overall population of the Northern Bettong may be as low as 750 animals. Successful management of Mt Zero-Taravale is critical to the survival of this species.
The sanctuary is home to a range of arboreal mammals including one of the highest densities of Greater Gliders in Queensland. Squirrel Gliders, Sugar Gliders, Feathertail Gliders and possibly Yellow-bellied Gliders are also found on Mt Zero-Taravale.
In addition to its arboreal mammals, Mt Zero-Taravale hosts a diversity of macropods (members of the kangaroo family) including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Euros, Swamp Wallabies, Agile Wallabies, Whiptail Wallabies, Red-legged Pademelons, Rufous Bettongs and Northern Bettongs. Initial surveys have also revealed a high number of bat species and rodents.
The region in which Mt Zero-Taravale is located is recognised as particularly significant for birds – a report to AWC concludes that the area ‘marks the distributional limits, hybrid zones, species divides and other range anomalies of many species of birds’. The report further states:
‘It seems appropriate to recognise that properties in this area have been and should continue to be very significant to the evolution of the Australian bird fauna.’
One of the threatened birds on Mt Zero-Taravale is the Glossy Black Cockatoo. A population of this bird was only recently discovered on Mt Zero-Taravale. It is the most northerly population of this rare species, the nearest known population being several hundred kilometres further south. The population on Mt Zero-Taravale appears to be a relict population which has until now avoided discovery.
Other important birds on Mt Zero-Taravale include the Southern Cassowary, Grey Goshawk and possibly the elusive Red Goshawk.
