REX - Regional Express

OUTThere Magazine l April 2013

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rexnews Julia Creek dunnart Rex plays a part in protecting an endangered native species. Julia Creek is a small town in north-west Queensland, about 660 kilometres west of Townsville on the Overlander's Way. Rex flies to Julia Creek three times a week. The town is known for its major cattle sales and mining and is the home of the Julia Creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi), a rare and endangered marsupial. This carnivorous, insect-eating creature is a close relative of the Tasmanian devil and is found only in the Mitchell Grass Downs in an area within a 100-kilometre radius of Julia Creek. In the dry season, cracks develop in the flat or gently undulating soil grasslands, becoming the essential habitat of survival for the Julia Creek dunnart. McKinlay Shire Council, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services and Southern Gulf Catchments are working together on the Julia Creek Dunnart Recovery and Captive Breeding Program. They have a 273-hectare predator-proof area known as the Julia Creek Airport Reserve selected for the reintroduction phase of the program; it's ideal for its proximity to the town, intact grassland, non-woody weeds and low pastoral compacting of the black soil. Rex was contacted to assist with the program – specifically to fly a breeding pair of dunnarts, 'Dingo' and 'Rex', in the cabin as precious and delicate cargo, accompanied by Trish O'Hara from the Gatton campus of The University of Queensland. When the dunnarts touched down, they were taken to a specially constructed nocturnal display at the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre, which was opened by The Hon David Crisafulli MP, Minister for Local Government, two days later. A note of thanks On 10 December, I flew from Townsville Airport to Julia Creek on a Rex flight. The purpose of my trip was to transport two endangered native marsupials, Julia Creek dunnarts, from The University of Queensland to the 'At the Creek' Visitor Information Centre in Julia Creek. I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent service I received during my visit to Townsville Airport. I understand the issues of transporting live animals through airports, but without the exceptions made during this visit, these dunnarts would not have arrived in Julia Creek in time. Again, my sincere thanks. Trish O'Hara Manager, Native Wildlife Teaching and Research Facility, Gatton campus, The University of Queensland IX

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