Published on Friday, 23 June 2017 at 12:00:00 AM
Fauna relocations undertaken as part of the Olive Street Reserve Remediation works have resulted in 672 insects, reptiles and mammals being captured and safely removed from the site during the initial clearance.
A report submitted by Darren Darch of Fauna for the Future stated 648 native insects and reptiles including Orb Spiders, Stick bugs, Binoe’s Prickly and Reticulated Velvet Geckos, Bearded Dragons, West Coast Four Toed Leristas and Gwardars or Western Brown snakes were captured onsite and successfully relocated to similar habitats across the City region.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the Chapman River Regional Park has especially benefitted from the relocation of Orb Spiders into the Park.
“More than 500 Golden Orb spiders were captured on the reserve and many of these were released in the Chapman River Regional Park,” he said.
“This has really helped boost local Golden Orb population numbers which were reduced in a fire in the Park three years ago.”
The report also indicated three feral animal species were netted and later euthanised during the process.
“All the traps used were designed to capture creatures humanly, which ensured any native animals caught would remain unharmed and could be successfully relocated,” said Mayor Van Styn.
“The traps worked so well that 17 Common European House mice, two European Black rats and a Red Fox were also captured and put down after they were confirmed as feral pest species.”
With onsite remediation works now complete, landscaping of the eight-hectare site is proceeding well with mulching and planting operations in full swing.
Golden Orb Spider.
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