Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p142
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 142/276)
Character Range: 550986–555344

genetic diversity (Sperring et al. 2021a). Secondary poisoning from rodent and chicken baiting is also a threat (likely cause of death of two chicks in 2012 (Debus 2012) and near death of one likely poisoned adult in 2021 (Sperring et al. 2021b). Predation of eggs and chicks by rats, cats and Argentine ants is also a possible threat. Weed invasion by red guava (Psidium cattleyanum), African olive (Olea europaea), wild tobacco (Solanum mauritianum) and lantana (Lantana camara) and the resulting change in forest structure is also likely to affect owls' ability to hunt (Wilson 2016).

Impact on other species
None known.

Risk assessment
The risk assessment is shown in Table 49.
Table 49 Risk assessment for Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata
Risk                                                                                                               Likelihood of exposure    Consequence  Threat rating
1. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through past land clearing                                          Almost certain (91–100%)  Major        Extreme
2. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through current or future land clearing                             Almost certain (91–100%)  Major        Extreme
3. Degradation of native vegetation through past grazing or loss of nutrients                                      Likely (51–90%)           Major        High
4. Degradation of native vegetation through current or future grazing                                              Likely (51–90%)           Major        High
5. Lack of available nest sites                                                                                    Possible (26–50%)         Major        High
6. Predation by rodents                                                                                            Unlikely (11–25%)         Minor        Low
7. Predation by cats                                                                                               Unlikely (11–25%)         Minor        Low
8. Predation or damage by chickens                                                                                 Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
9. Predation by swamphens                                                                                          Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
10. Predation by Argentine ant                                                                                     Likely (51–90%)           Minor        Medium
11. Competition from/change of habitat because of weed invasion                                                    Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
12. Infection by pathogens already present                                                                         Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
13. Impacts of potential new invasive species or pathogens                                                         Rare (0–10%)              Minor        Negligible
14. Changes to vegetation, increased fire risk and/or direct physiological stress as a result of climatic changes  Likely (51–90%)           Minor        Medium
15. Problems caused by small populations, including lack of genetic diversity                                      Almost certain (91–100%)  Extreme      Extreme
16. Secondary poisoning                                                                                            Likely (51–90%)           Moderate     Medium

Management actions
Maintain suitable nest boxes (particularly in appropriate locations) to improve the breeding success of individuals within the population (TSSC 2016b). Restore habitat outside of the national park to increase the carrying capacity of the island and reduce the pressure of maintaining genetic diversity (TSSC 2016b). Protect old hollow bearing trees. Maintain crimson rosella control program to minimise competition for nest boxes (TSSC 2016b). Genetic rescue through the introduction of individuals from New Zealand or Australia may be required in future. Prevention or serious reduction in the use of second-generation rodent and chicken baits outside of the national park is also likely to assist the population.

Recovery target
The recovery target is shown in Table 50.
Table 50 Recovery target for Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata
EPBC Act