Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 16379–19933

competitors to native fauna.

Table 1.  Threatened endemic fauna inhabiting primary rainforest on Christmas Island.

Species                                                                            Listing
Christmas Island Pipistrelle Pipistrellus murrayi                                  E1, E3
Christmas Island Flying-fox Pteropus melanotus natalis*                            DD3,*
Abbott's Booby Papasula abbotti (listed Sula abbotti on EPBC Act)                  E1, CE2
  White-tailed Tropicbird (Christmas Island subspecies) Phaethon lepturus fulvus   CE2
Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi                                      V1
Christmas Island Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus natalis                               E1, CE2
Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon Ducula whartoni                                   CE2
Emerald Dove (Christmas Island subspecies) Chalcophaps indica natalis              CE2
Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis                                            V1, CE2
Glossy Swiftlet (Christmas Island subspecies) Collocalia esculenta natalis         CE2
  Island Thrush (Christmas Island subspecies) Turdus poliocephalus erythropleurus  CE2
Christmas Island White-eye Zosterops natalis                                       CE2
Christmas Island Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops exocoeti                               V1
Christmas Island Gecko Lepidodactylus listeri                                      V1

CE = Critically Endangered; E = Endangered; V = Vulnerable; DD = Data deficient; 1 = Listed under EPBC Act; 2 = 'Action Plan for Australian Birds' (Garnett & Crowley 2000); 3 = 'Action Plan for Australian Bats' (Duncan et al. 1999); and * = Recent evidence suggests the species has undergone significant declines in total population numbers and its status is in urgent need of review (CIP pers. comm.).

Social and economic impacts
Until it is determined whether the Christmas Island Shrew is extant, it is difficult to comment on the social and economic impacts resulting from management actions. The last confirmed records are from plateau and terrace rainforest, suggesting any development proposals and threatening processes affecting these habitats must include consideration of this species until further information is available. Similar to other endemic rainforest fauna that is threatened, the potential presence of the species could impact on economic activity or development. This arises from the listing under the EPBC Act, which invokes a range of protective provisions and offences where a population is to be affected. The magnitude of this potential impact is unknown, as it will vary with the location, size and extent of an affected population (once discovered), and the nature and extent of the activity, proposed or current.

Most fauna species on Christmas Island are endemic and some have the potential for attracting low impact ecotourism. The Christmas Island Shrew, although a cryptic component of the endemic fauna, provides an interesting 'story' as the only extant endemic mammal (excluding bats) on the island and the only Australian shrew. Such a 'story' may provide added appeal to tourists with a strong natural history background contemplating visiting the island. Rainforest rehabilitation, which provides employment for some islanders, may create potential habitat for the species in years to come.

Part B: Distribution and Location

Distribution
Current Known (or Likely) National Distribution:  Endemic to Christmas Island (closely related species occur in Java and other