Although it is the most widespread mammal in Australia, few scientists have studied its natural habitat. This project examines the echidna's natural environment, food supply, home territories, reproductive cycle, dispersal of young, as well as the impacts of natural and feral predation. Rosenberg's goannas are the island's largest native terrestrial predator and the only natural predator of the echidna on Kangaroo Island. There are many unanswered questions concerning goanna body temperature regulation, seasonal movements and reproduction. You will learn about the environment in which these two species live, how to locate them in the bush, and how to tag and radio-track the animals using transmitters.
Accommodation consists of bunk-house or tents.
This project, run by Dr Michael Mahony from the University of Newcastle, examines the causes of decline among a number of species that are found in streams in mountain regions northwest of Sydney. Decline in frog populations is a cause of concern to conservationists and biologists around the world. Nine native Australian frogs are considered to have disappeared in the past 17 years. A further 15 species have declined alarmingly in both distribution and abundance and 27 species are listed as threatened by the National Action Plan. This project is monitoring populations of 6 endangered frogs.