Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 64063–66725

PVC tubing (100 mm X 40 mm) were placed at the bottom of pits to act as refuge sites for captured animals from Robber Crab predation.

Establish ten pitfall traps of PVC tubing (maximum diameter: 80mm, minimum depth: 250mm, each trap capped by heavy duty wire mesh (e.g. steel) at a distance of 5m apart with the upper rims flush with ground level. Drift fence similar to that used by Meek (2000) or utilise mobile crab fences developed by PAN (M. Jeffrey, pers. comm.). The small diameter tubing coupled with the wire mesh capping of a spacing to exclude Robber Crabs and the majority of other crabs. This wire mesh is to be hooked into place at the top of each pit. Each pitfall trap to have non-absorbent cotton wool or coconut fibre to be placed in the base to serve as shelter. Additionally, each pitfall trap to have a securely fitting lid for when pits not in use.

2.  Live Trapping
Lines of twenty-five Longworth/Sherman/or finely tuned Elliott traps be established at intervals of 10m on the ground (after Haim et al. 1997), with an additional 10 traps sited in trees (including canopy) or rock faces, preferably in proximity to epiphytes. Traps to be baited with a range of baits including: rolled oats, peanut butter and sunflower seeds, as well as a presumed shrew specific mixture of ikan billis (fish) soup powder, flour and water (after Meek 2000). Each trap to be surrounded by guyed or tied-down wire mesh of sufficient mesh spacing to allow shrew passage but to prevent Robber Crab interference. To provide protection against high temperatures non-absorbent cotton wool or other insulative material must be placed in each trap. Traps must be checked twice daily (early morning and late afternoon) to minimise shrew mortality.

3.  Call Playback
Earlier naturalists commented on the short shrill squeak of the shrew commonly heard throughout the island (Lister 1888, Andrews 1900). No information is provided as to the time of day or conditions when calls were heard. At each site, conduct two call playback sessions: within two hours after dawn and within two hours following dusk. Each session to consist of a thirty minute listening period, followed by a ten-minute period of playing the call of related Crocidura shrews, followed by another thirty minute listening period.

4.  Active Searching
The shrew was recorded living in holes in rocks and roots of trees (Andrews 1900). At each site, spend one person hour actively searching under rocks, ground debris and at the base of trees with the aid of a rake and gemmie bar.

5.  Artificial Habitat and Nest Burrows
At each site, position ten sheets of artificial habitat (such as corrugated