Movement patterns of two northern quolls after a large wildfire

Abstract

Understanding how animals respond to fire is crucial for conservation efforts in fire-prone regions across the world. How fire affects animal movement is of particular interest, as it determines access to resources, exposure to risks, and connectivity of populations. We report on observations of the movement patterns and habitat selection of two northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus, an endangered marsupial predator), one male and one female, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. We employed GPS tracking and integrated step selection functions to analyse habitat preferences in relation to fire, and used accelerometry data to assess the energetic costs of using burnt areas. The male northern quoll avoided recently burnt areas, likely due to increased energetic demands and predation risks during the breeding season. In contrast, the female northern quoll neither avoided nor preferred burnt areas, but showed a preference for rocky areas. The female appeared to move through burnt areas to access suitable breeding habitat. The movement patterns observed in the two individuals might reflect a broader pattern of sex-specific responses to fire, but further research is required to confirm how general the pattern is. Our observations indicate that fire can influence northern quoll movement, with female dependence on rocky areas increasing use of suboptimal habitats, and male avoidance of burnt areas raising potential implications for breeding dispersal and population dynamics. Given the expected increases in fire size and frequency, further research on northern quoll responses to fire in the Pilbara is needed to determine if the pattern we observed is consistent across the broader population.