Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006:reg:3:p31
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 31/58)
Character Range: 88891–92081

foxes, and the effectiveness of their control, on the Eastern Bristlebird.

 Predation by feral cats is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the EBPC Act, and a threat abatement plan has been prepared (DE 2015a, 2015b).

       3.2.10      Disease in captive populations

 Captive Eastern Bristlebirds may be at increased risk of infection with pathogens and parasites, due to low genetic diversity and the potential for stress during capture. Susceptibility to infection appears high in captive Eastern Bristlebirds and there is apparent fragility of birds during transfer to captivity (Selwood et al. 2021).
 Eastern Bristlebirds in captive breeding programs have been subject to mortality from parasitic infections with Atoxoplasma, likely obtained in the wild prior to capture (D Bain pers. comm. 2021), and aspergillosis infections are a risk. Six of 15 birds rescued from Howe Flat, Victoria, during the 2019–2020 fires died due to aspergillosis (a non-contagious stress-induced respiratory illness) during their initial days in captivity (Selwood et al. 2021). An effective treatment regimen was established for surviving birds, and it is now recommended that Eastern Bristlebirds translocated
 to captivity are treated prophylactically through food to prevent disease from aspergillosis (Selwood et al. 2021). It is also recommended that the species be housed on sandy soil substrates to reduce possibility of aspergillosis transfer ex-situ (M Lynch pers. comm. 2021).

3.2.11      Disease in wild populations

 Infection prevalence and parasite/pathogen burden and associated adverse effects in wild populations are unknown but may have the potential to impact on Eastern Bristlebird recovery. An improved understanding of disease in wild populations is needed to inform any translocation actions and reintroduction of Eastern Bristlebird into the wild. Captive birds have succumbed to parasite infections which were likely obtained in the wild prior to capture.

 Disease threats may not be uniform across all wild Eastern Bristlebird populations. Small and/or fragmented populations like those of northern and southern Eastern Bristlebird populations may be at higher risk of adverse effects from disease, in part due to an increased susceptibility to disease that may be associated with lower genetic diversity.

 Studies are needed to determine prevalence and impacts of both asymptomatic
 infections and infections with clinical signs of disease in all wild populations.

                 3.2.12      Clearing of habitat

           Where habitat is not protected, contemporary clearing for agriculture, forestry, fuel breaks, utility easements, and residential development may continue to threaten the Eastern Bristlebird. Clearing results in the loss of Eastern Bristlebird habitat and may fragment populations, increasing their vulnerability to negative impacts of other threats. Increased fragmentation interacts with other threats and makes the Eastern Bristlebird more susceptible to local extinction. For example, fragmentation
           may reduce the capacity of Eastern Bristlebirds to escape fire, improve feral predator access to Eastern Bristlebird habitat,