CAMERAS used to monitor animals are at the heart of an investigation after stuffed animals placed on a wildlife crossing near Port Macquarie.
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Heat and motion sensor cameras monitor the Oxley Highway guide poles and rope bridge.
A spokesperson for the Roads and Maritime Services said the stuffed animals placed on a wildlife crossing were removed due to the potential safety risks to road users and the obstruction to species using the crossing. "Roads and Maritime is investigating the incident and reviewing the footage to identify perpetrators," the spokesperson said.
The photographic evidence over the past two years shows gliders are using wildlife crossings above the Oxley Highway near Port Macquarie.
Strategically positioned cameras have recorded one yellow-bellied glider, a few instances of squirrel gliders, and feathertail gliders, and sugar gliders regularly using the structures.
Roads and Maritime Services consultant, wildlife ecologist and Southern Cross University academic Ross Goldingay is an expert on road impacts on wildlife.
"The poles are paired so they can climb up and glide off into the forest," he said.
"They seem to be fairly successful."
He said there had also been records of sugar gliders and feathertail gliders on the rope bridge.
"We need to get them across the road for gene pools," Associate Professor Goldingay said. "The aim of the structures is to maintain gene flow and some movement of animals foraging locally.
"The photographic records also feed into academic research.
A Woodvale Trees Services arborist scales the poles to retrieve the cameras after which Associate Professor Goldinay downloads and collates the images to identify the species and the dates and times.
Woodvale Trees Services experts use a rope access to safely negotiate the poles.
Arborist James Stapleton said it was not unusual for him now.
Roads and Maritime Services installed wildlife crossings along the Oxley Highway near Port Macquarie to ensure connectivity and safety for animal populations as part of the environmental management strategy for the road.
During the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie upgrade and realignment, two sets of wooden poles were installed for gliding mammals, a rope bridge for climbing animals and seven fauna underpasses.
Other species observed since June 2013 include possums, bandicoots, eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and rodents.
Monitoring of the wildlife crossings will continue to inform crossings for future projects.
