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.

• To clarify the taxonomic status from existing museum specimens.

• To assess the current status and distribution through further targeted surveys.

• To develop a wildlife management program for habitat outside Christmas Island National Park

• To control the abundance and spread of the crazy ant.

• To implement a community awareness program that may assist in the location of previously unknown populations.

Stage 2: Subsequent to the location of extant populations.

• To establish captive breeding populations from any wild populations located, pending mitigation of the threat from the crazy ant and other potential predators and competitors.

• To effectively protect and manage wild populations.