Scanning Victoria's hidden alpine secrets
Thursday 14 November, 2013
Parks Victoria, Museum Victoria and 4WD Victoria are set to commence one of the most comprehensive wildlife, geology and palaeontology surveys ever conducted in the eastern corner of the Victorian Alpine National Park, north of Omeo.
Commencing on 18 November and running for two weeks, the Bioscan will focus on rarely researched species across the remote and rugged terrain of the eastern area of the Alpine National Park; from mammals to birds, frogs, fish, snakes, snails, moths and other insects. Palaeontologists and historians will also be conducting research.
"Many of the high altitude species in the highest parts of Victoria are the most vulnerable in the state," Dr Mark Norman, Head of Sciences, Museum Victoria, said. "Over 80 researchers will be seeking the signs, sounds and movements of these wonderful creatures. The data we collect will help establish the status of many of the area’s endangered species."
This is the fifth Bioscan to be undertaken by Parks Victoria and Museum Victoria as part of a five-year program designed to study wildlife across Victoria’s national parks, from deserts to forests to underwater kelp reefs. The program commenced in 2011.
"Parks Victoria’s partnership with Museum Victoria in past bioscans has been enormously valuable in helping us understand some of Victoria’s most significant natural places", said Dr Bill Jackson, Chief Executive, Parks Victoria. "As we roll out this program, we are gathering crucial data that is informing our best-practice management strategies and filling in our knowledge gaps of the parks that are being surveyed."
Insights from this survey will be showcased with the local community via programs with four local schools and a Friday night ‘Science at the Pub’, where students and residents will be able to engage and chat with a number of scientists and rangers that participated in the Bioscan.
For the first time, 4WD Victoria will be a partner on the Bioscan survey.
"We love exploring the bush and this project presented a unique opportunity for our volunteers to be used for the first time in a major fauna research survey," said Wayne Hevey, Project and Events Manager, 4WD Victoria. "Our volunteers are excited to be able to support this project with their specialist 4WD driving skills and local knowledge of the area’s rugged tracks."
The information gathered throughout the Bioscan in this remote eastern area of the Alpine National Park will complement and build on the existing biodiversity knowledge of the surrounding areas.
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