Threatened species & ecological communities

National Recovery Plan for the Christmas Island Shrew (Crocidura attenuata trichura)

Prepared by Martin Schulz for
The Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2004
ISBN 0 642 55011 5

Contents > Next

Summary

Current Status

The Christmas Island Shrew Crocidura attenuata trichura is the only member of the shrew family (Soricidae) recorded in an Australian territory. Currently this species is listed as Endangered under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Due to current taxonomic uncertainty the phylogenetic relationship of the Christmas Island Shrew with closely related southeast Asian taxa requires resolution.

Distribution and Location

The species was widespread and abundant on Christmas Island at the time of settlement, occurring in rainforest on both the plateau and adjacent to the shoreline. It appeared to decline rapidly, with no subsequent records after 1908. The Christmas Island Shrew was thought to be extinct until an accidental finding of two single individuals in 1985. The species has not been recorded since these sightings, despite various subsequent targeted surveys, and therefore must be considered as extremely rare and possibly extinct. Habitat requirements critical to this species survival, including the provision of foraging, shelter and breeding resources are unknown.

Known and Potential Threats

Since the Christmas Island Shrew is so poorly known in terms of its conservation ecology, no known threats have been documented. However, the dramatic decline which occurred within 20 years of human settlement, suggests direct or indirect human threat. Current potential threatening processes include direct and indirect effects of the Yellow Crazy Ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, crazy ant control measures, habitat loss, disease, habitat alteration, predation and small population size.

Recovery Plan Objectives

The Recovery Plan is to follow two stages:

Stage 1: Prior to location of extant populations.

Stage 2: Subsequent to the location of extant populations.

Biodiversity Benefits

Protection and maintenance of plateau and terrace rainforests will benefit other endemic rainforest-dependent species.

Estimated Cost

Stage 1 - Prior to location of extant populations
Recovery Action
Year of Implementation
  1 2 3 4 5 Total
Action 1: Investigate the taxonomic 10,000 - - - - 10,000
Action 2: Investigate current status and distribution# 58,000 58,000 58,000 58,000 58,000 290,000
Action 3: Development of wildlife management program outside CI National Park * * * * * -
Action 4: Control abundance and spread of the crazy ant * * * * * -
Action 5: Implement community awareness program 4,000 * * * * 4,000
TOTAL COST 72,000 58,000 58,000 58,000 58,000 304,000

# = The cost of Action 2 is dependent on the number of years taken to locate extant populations and fully determine its distribution;
* = Costs covered by Parks Australia North core duties.

Stage 2 - Alternative costs if extant populations found in Year 1
Recovery Action
Year of Implementation
  1 2 3 4 5 Total
Action 2: Investigate current status and distribution# 58,000 - - - - 58,000
Action 6: Establish captive population¥ 50,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 170,000
Action 7: Manage located populations 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000
Action 8: Identify and describe habitat critical 29,000 29,000 - - - 58,000
Action 9: Identify threatening processes 15,000 15,000 - - - 30,000
TOTAL COST 162,000 84,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 366,000

# = Depending on the year of location of extant populations; ¥ = This cost is assuming no reintroduction of captive shrews into the wild.

Contents > Next