RECOGNITION OF PREDATORS BY TWO SPECIES OF CAPTIVE- REARED PERAMELIDS

Predator recognition testing was used to determine whether two species of captive bred marsupials have retained the skills to respond to native and exotic predators. Captive-bred western barred bandicoots Perameles bougainville and bilbies Macrotis lagotis were exposed to a model hawk or a stuffed cat to determine their level of recognition and response to these predators. Both species responded to the avian predator (hawk). M. lagotis showed stronger responses involving running or adopting an alert posture, while P. bougainville responded with altered walking behaviour. M. lagotis were also exposed to a stuffed cat. They showed an increase in running behaviour in response to this exotic mammalian predator. The level of response for both species was neither rapid nor vigorous, providing little confidence in their effective response to predators if released back in to the wild. Further research should include the feasibility of predator recognition training and behavioural studies after release