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Secret Life of Critters at Mulligans Flat: 10

Expedition 10: Southern Exclosure, March 2019

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary is one of Australia’s premier predator-free fenced reserves and is home to a range of endangered and elusive native species. The ‘Sanctuary’ is nestled in the northern suburbs of Canberra offering the public the opportunity to experience a stretch of critically endangered 'box-gum grassy woodland' undergoing intensive ecological restoration.

The Northern Exclosure was established in 2009 with the completion of the original 11.5 km predator proof fence enabling foxes, cats and rabbits to be eradicated from a 485ha area. The removal of these pests has benefited a range of native species, and enabled an number of locally extinct species to be reintroduced including the eastern bettong, eastern quoll, new Holland mice, and bush-stone curlew. In 2018 the Sanctuary was expanded by building an addition 12 km of predator proof fence creating the 801 ha Southern Exclosure - a pest eradication is under way.

A network of remote wildlife cameras have been established throughout the Sanctuary to help us monitor the condition of the Sanctuary. The information from these cameras provides invaluable insight into the life and behaviour of the species that call the Sanctuary home.