Small Mammal Monitoring Experience

Program Itinerary

 

 

Day 1: Melbourne - Grampians National Park (L D)

9am depart Melbourne city for the Grampians National Park. Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and spectacular wildflower displays, Gariwerd (Grampians) is a unique place.  The Grampians National Park is home to a diverse range of plants, animals and cultural sites.  The 168,000 ha park is Victoria’s third largest. Enjoy lunch and a briefing from the Park Ranger on the National Park, wildlife and mammal monitoring program. Depending on the tour program, the afternoon will either be spent setting up and baiting the traps or exploring the National Park.

Day 2 and 3: Wildlife Monitoring (B L D)

We start the day at 6am for an early breakfast followed by wildlife monitoring activities led by Park Rangers. Feral fox penetration and bush fires in the Grampians has contributed heavily to the decline in populations of small mammals. The monitoring program aims to monitor the effectiveness of fox baiting efforts to protect endangered wildlife species and increase their rate of survival and recovery throughout the park after the 2006 wildfire.

Wildlife monitoring involves walking through bush land along 200 meter long transect lines checking traps, recording data and processing mammals and reptiles. Handling of mammals and reptiles in the traps is done in accordance with ethics guidelines adopted by Parks Victoria.  

Following the morning activity, lunch is enjoyed as a picnic in the national park (weather permitting).

After lunch a number of activity options are available to choose from, including bushwalking, relaxing at your accommodation, visiting the local shopping village of Halls Gap or visiting Brambuk - the National Park and Cultural Centre.

Day 4 or 7: Wildlife Monitoring - Melbourne (B L)

Enjoy a rewarding final day in the National Park assisting Park Rangers with wildlife trapping activities and data recording. After lunch we return to Melbourne. The expected arrival time into Melbourne is 5.30pm.

 

Contribution to Conservation

This tour supports ongoing conservation and research in the Grampians National Park. No prior experience is required to participate.

Code: B - breakfast / L- lunch / D - dinner