Action 6: Establish captive breeding popAction 6: Establish captive breeding population (Obj. 3, 4, 5 & 7; Perf. Crit. 3, 4, 5 & 7).

Action 6: Establish captive breeding population (Obj. 3, 4, 5 & 7; Perf. Crit. 3, 4, 5 & 7).

When an extant population is located, it is important that a captive breeding population be established to assist in the continuing survival of the species, with the view to reintroduction once crazy ants and other potential threats are controlled. Evidence from the LB4 individual captured in 1985 indicates that the species copes well in captivity, although food provision was time consuming (J. Tranter, DEH, pers. comm.). It is preferable that captive animals be held on Christmas Island to avoid transportation stress, and exposure to new diseases and different climatic conditions. Such a captive population must also be protected from direct or indirect (e.g. through food provided) exposure to ant bait, and from potential predators common around the Settlement, such as the wolf snake, black rat and cat. Alternatively, captive breeding populations could be established in recognised zoos on mainland Australia where appropriate quarantine, disease-management and climatic conditions can be provided. The feasibility of establishing the captive populations in the same holding facility as proposed for some endemic Christmas Island bird species (Garnett & Crowley 2000) should be investigated if the shrew is ‘rediscovered’.