Predation by feral cats Felis sylvestris catus is currently one hypothesized cause for the recent dramatic small mammal declines across northern Australia. We conducted a field experiment to measure the effect of predation by for this areas typically low-density cat populations on the demography of a native small mammal which due to the now natural scarce abundance of small mammals in the wild had to be reintroduced. We established two 12.5-ha enclosures in tropical savanna woodland on Wongalara Sanctuary, south of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Each enclosure was divided in half, with cats allowed access to one half but not the other. We introduced about 20 individuals of Rattus villosissimus, a native rodent, into each of the four compartments (two enclosures x two predator-access treatments) and monitored rat demography by mark-recapture analysis and radio-tracking, and predator incursions by camera surveillance and track and scat searches. The data can be used for the mark-recapture analysis. The radio-tracking data and predator incursions data will be uploaded separately. The Cat and Dingoes camera trap dataset was produced using a heat-in-motion cameras (Reconyx PC800 Hyperfire, Holmen, Wisconsin, USA) around the outside of the perimeter fences to detect predators. At least four (but up to six and always the same number of cameras at a time) cameras were placed as one camera installed at each side on the outside of the fences of each enclosure. Cameras were un-baited, to avoid attracting predators. This one file dataset contains the information on the presence/absence data of cats and dingoes on each day. 'Site' indicates the enclosure the camera was attached to ('Enclosure_I' or Enclosure_II'), 'Camera number' indicates which site the camera was on. Note that between October 2011 and April 2012, Enclosure II had two additional cameras (one facing the front gate and one additional monitoring the lower half of the back fence of the enclosure) which resulted in a total of six cameras for during that time. 'Date' indicates the date the photo(s) was/were taken, 'Photos_recorded' whether the camera was operational or photos were retained (e.g. one SD-cards was lost). And columns 'Dingo' and 'Cat' indicate whether these animals were present that day or not (na = no photos recorded, 0 = not present that day, 1 = present that day).
Credit
We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. The authors thank Terry Mahney (DLRM) and Damien Stanioch (Territory Wildlife Park, TWP) for help with trapping rats on Quoin Island; Marissa Skeels (CDU), Damien Stanioch and Dr Steve Cutter (TWP) for the captive breeding of rats at TWP; Damien again and Eridani Mulder (AWC) for the translocation and release of rats at Wongalara. We would especially like to thank Heather and Chris Whatley, and Rod and Beth Beamont (AWC) for their support, and for building and maintaining the enclosures. UTas research assistants Kirsty Botha, Melissa Whatley, Sara Rathborne, Emma Tait, Lily Leahy and Tegan May, and many volunteers helped to monitor rats, cats and dingos at Wongalara. The study was funded by Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the Australian Research Council (LP100100033).
Purpose
Australia has already lost many mammal species to extinction. Dramatic and continuing declines of mammals across northern Australia mean that more species could be lost in the near future. There is still time to reverse these declines, but this will depend on a clear understanding of what is causing them. The project will use landscape-scale experiments to discover the factors that threaten mammals in northern Australia, focusing on predation by cats and its interactions with fire and grazing. The cameratrap dataset will provide knowledge to prevent extinctions and implement management for recovery.
