A note on the Status of the Eastern barred bandicoot, Perameles gunni, in Tasmania

The eastern barred bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, formerly occurred widely in Victoria and Tasmania. Because it is endangered in Victoria, clarification of its conservation and taxonomic status in Tasmania is important. We observed the distribution and relative abundance of Perameles gunnii in nine localities in Tasmania. Comparisons of trappability in three localities sampled in March 1985 and October- November 1989 showed no decline in relative abundance. P. gunnii were more abundant in November 1989 than on two previous occasions at one location. However, six other localities where P. gunnii were abundant in 1985 showed little evidence of P. gunnii activity in 1989. Spotlighting and trapping efforts, together with anecdotal information, suggest a decline in the status of P. gunnii in the Tasmanian Midland region. The reduction of these populations could be a feature of normal demographic fluctuation or could be indicative of a real decline in the status of P. gunnii. Long-term studies to monitor seasonal and annual abundance changes in Tasmania would be useful for the management of the dwindling Victorian population, and are needed to fully determine the status of Tasmanian populations for conservation and management purposes.