Six tiny female native mice have been released across Victoria's Wilsons Promontory National Park in the hope they will find mates and save their endangered species, Zoos Victoria says.
Key points:
- There is new hope for the endangered Pookila mouse as six females are released into the wild
- The small rodents contribute to healthy ecosystems through soil turnover and seed and fungal dispersal
- It is hoped a breeding program will help boost population numbers
The Pookila mouse is considered extinct in seven of the 12 known Victorian locations it previously inhabited.
The native rodent has been under threat from drought and predators, including feral cats and foxes.
Zoos Victoria native rodent biologist Phoebe Burns said a lack of genetic variation also placed the species at a greater risk of extinction.
"We've realised the mice, particularly at [Wilsons Promontory] have really low genetic diversity," Ms Burns said.
"This means, even if they find the mouse who is the least related to them in the area, they're probably still mating with their cousin."
Unlike the common house rat or mouse, the Pookila does not smell and is not considered a pest.
Previously known as the New Holland mouse, it is distinguished by a bicoloured tail, large eyes and soft, thick fur.
The parents of the mice that were released were sourced from Wilsons Promontory and the town of Loch Sport.
Ms Burns said mice from the two areas were bred at Melbourne Zoo and Moonlit Sanctuary, which ensured a "nice mixture" of DNA.
A breeding program run by the zoo and the sanctuary has produced 60 pups since 2022.
Cameras monitoring for predators
Because the six females were raised in captivity, there were concerns they would be unable to adequately defend themselves in the wild.
But Zoos Victoria said it had developed strategies to try and ensure that did not happen.
"This is the first release we've ever done from [the program]," Ms Burns said.
"We've got cameras out there monitoring them, making sure they are behaving the way native mice should.
"They've been demonstrating all of those natural behaviours. They burrow, they forage for food.
"They're doing all of the right things. Hopefully they're well prepared".
The Victorian government has invested $690,000 through its Nature Fund to help protect the species.
The funding was accompanied by support from Zoos Victoria, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association, and members of the Pookila Recovery Team.
In total, the government has committed $582 million since 2014 to protect Victoria's biodiversity and environment.
"The release of endangered Pookila in Gippsland is just another action we are taking to secure the longevity of this precious species for years to come," Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said.
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