Captive breeding programs are an important role that parks and zoos can play in the protection of future populations of endangered wildlife.
They maintain insurance populations for species facing extinction in the wild and breed animals for re-introduction to the wild to re-establish wild populations.
They also support the documentation of husbandry techniques, knowledge and research.
Under the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP), ZAA member organisations collaborate to plan and manage their animal collections in ways that improve their sustainability and contribute to species conservation. Caversham Wildlife Park houses the following ASMP managed species within their current Species Management Category:
Population Management Program (species that are of regional/global significance due to their threat status or strategic importance to Australasian collections):
Conservation Program (species that have a documented role in a formal recovery effort. Typically managed to a high level of genetic and demographic rigor):
Monitored Species Program (species where monitoring of the population dynamics or specific husbandry issue is considered useful):
Current as of 6th May 2019
Bush Stone Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is a widespread native species found across most of Australia.
Here in the south-west they have seen a drastic reduction in population with one of the only sustainable groups found in the Dryandra Woodland near Narrogin.
In May 2012 Caversham Wildlife Park joined forces with Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Perth Zoo to help the eerie night call of the curlew become a more common sound heard in the south-west. 12 birds were taken to Wadderin Sanctuary in Narembeen and released into the wild. This was considered the first time curlews had been released back into the wild in WA.
In August 2013 the program was bought much closer to home. Whiteman Park had joined in on the action with the Bush Thick-knee considered a prime candidate for their Woodland Reserve. 6 birds were initially released into a soft release aviary within the reserve to get used to their new home and became wild. Once released the birds were able to move around Whiteman Park at their leisure with one pair finding a comfy home to raise 2 chicks behind the Village Cafe in 2014. A huge success for the program.
August 2013 also saw 6 of our CWP birds and 2 birds bred at Perth Zoo take a plane trip to Adelaide and became the first WA raised chicks to be released in SA and NSW with the birds taking part in AWC (Australian Wildlife Conservancy) Bush Thick-knee program and being released into both Yookamurra and Scotia sanctuaries to boost the released genetics.
With the original Whiteman Park birds doing extremely well in October and November of 2014, another 14 birds were released into the park to bolster numbers and hopefully see some more breeding action.
Bush Stone Curlews (also commonly known as Thick-knee's) are classified as Least Concern (IUCN Red List); they are common in northern Australia. However in Western Australian and New South Wales, there has been significant decline, mainly due to habitat loss and predation by foxes and cats.
In July 2016, three penguins joined us from Perth Zoo as part of a collaboration with the Department of Parks and Wildlife to create a larger insurance population for the Western Australian province Little Penguin. While not officially classified as a subspecies, these penguins are genetically distinct, typically heavier, and breed at different times of the year compared to other Little Penguins. Sadly, the largest colony in Western Australia, found on Penguin Island near Rockingham, now numbers only between 100-200 birds.
There are 17-19 penguin species recognized today, depending on the literature referenced. Little Penguins are the smallest of all penguin species. They stand no taller than 43 cm and weigh just 1.2 kg on average, a stark contrast to their Antarctic cousins, the Emperor Penguin, which can reach heights of 122 cm and weigh up to 45 kg. The Australian Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae) has been known by many names, including Fairy Penguin and Blue Penguin. Their scientific name translates to "smaller good little diver," reflecting their diminutive size and excellent swimming abilities.
Little Penguins' natural range spans southern Australia, from Rockingham in WA to the NSW/QLD border, as well as Tasmania and most of New Zealand. The Australian Little Penguin was recognized in a 2015 study as genetically distinct from the New Zealand population, differing even in their "accent." This distinction, if widely accepted by the scientific community, could lead to full species status. Within Australia, the West Coast population also differs from those on the East Coast, further emphasizing the need for conservation.
In human care, Little Penguins consume about 300 g of fish daily—roughly 25% of their body weight. Their diet includes small fish like whitebait, pilchards, and anchovies, as well as squid, all swallowed whole.
Little Penguins face multiple threats in the wild. Natural predators include seals, sharks, orcas, and sea eagles, while on land, they may fall prey to dingoes, large monitors, and rats. The most significant threats, however, come from human activity, including predation by introduced species such as foxes, dogs, and cats. Habitat destruction, nest site trampling, discarded fishing gear, boat strikes, and oil pollution further endanger their survival. Moulting, which occurs between December and March, is another vulnerable period for these penguins. During this time, they shed and regrow their feathers, requiring extra energy and making them temporarily unable to hunt.
Despite these challenges, Little Penguins are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, population declines and the unique genetic traits of the WA population highlight the importance of reviewing their conservation status and ensuring their protection.
As we work to protect these incredible creatures, fostering a larger captive insurance population remains a vital goal.
The Tasmanian Devil Insurance Population commenced in 2006. It is a joint initiative between the Save The Tasmanian Devil Program (STDP) and the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA).
The Tasmanian Devil is listed as endangered and populations are declining due to the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
DFTD is a fatal disease first recognised in wild Devils during the 1990's. The contagious cancer is characterised by large tumours around the face and neck. The disease makes it difficult for devils to eat and compete for food, with most Devils dying within a few months of tumours first appearing.
The program focuses on ensuring a disease-free mainland population in zoos and parks. This has been achieved; the population is now at 550 healthy individuals, with over 150 disease-free founders represented in the population. Moving forward, the focus is to ensure that the insurance population is maintained, with genetic diversity represented, and suitable individuals are available for release into isolated areas to maintain the species' long-term ecological function.
Any Tasmanian Devils housed at Caversham Wildlife Park are from the program, and play the role of ambassador animals; educating our guests on the plight of their wild relatives.
