Varanus rosenbergi
Heath or Rosenberg's Monitor at Wamboin, NSW
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| Varanus rosenbergi | GeoffRobertson | 27 Jun 2017 | |
| Varanus rosenbergi | Varanus | 27 Jun 2017 |
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Significant sighting
MichaelMulvaney noted:
29 Jun 2017
This is the fifth CNM record of this vulnerable goanna from the Wamboin area, which may be a bit of a local hotspot for the species. This record helps define the likely extent of the occurrence in the Wamboin area
User's notes
spent about an hours basking on the windowsill and only started to move when photographed
10 comments
29 Jun 2017
I agree with Michael's comments. Also shows that the species will interact with human populations. Unfortunately there are many cases of the lizard being run over by cars (these would be valuable records if they can be safely photographed) and i have heard reports of Rosenbergs Monitors being killed by farm dogs in the Macs Reef area.
29 Jun 2017
There is a rumoured claim that RGs were (re) introduced to Wamboin by one of the locals, just as there is a rumour that they were put on Mt Ainslie by Canberra researchers. I am skeptical whether such efforts were made at all, and if so, whether they would have made any difference. I'm keen to get down to the sources/details if any of you know more, Geoff, Will and Michael. cheers Don Fletcher 0428489990, don.fletcher@emailme.com.au
29 Jun 2017
Don I know nothing about any released rosenbergs. What i mentioned to Mathew H last year was that there were releases (accidental and deliberate) of Lace monitors by two researchers who i spoke to back in about 1998. Several escaped from enclosures in a backyard and from outdoor enclosures at ANU Most likely the source of the animal found climbing the wall of a building and subsequently released and radiotracked at Black Mountain by Ross Bennett many years ago. This all occurred in the early or mid 1990's. best to email me at my uni address if you want more information. Cheers, Will
29 Jun 2017
I have provided details to CNM personnel and Matthew Higgins on the rumoured introduction of this so in the Bywong/Wamboin region
29 Jun 2017
Are there any more photographs of the Wamboin/Bywong area Rosenberg sightings. It is actually possible to separate them from coastal sandstone individuals based on colour pattern.
29 Jun 2017
I have another half dozen sightings (including one road kill) with images to enter onto CNM. I also know others who have photos and will contact them and obtain coordinates for their sightings. David Macdonald informed me of the rumour about a release/translocation into this area but , like Don F, I am skeptical. I have seen a number of this species from around the Weereewa (Lake George) scarp area since the early seventies. As a goodly percentage of the land around Wamboin has regenerated from its former poorly informed use for grazing, the number of sightings of this species has increased. The Weereewa scarp has connectivity into Wamboin/Bywong region. I have lived out here since 1988, and infrequent visits of Rosenberg's occurred then, and have grown in frequency over 30 years
29 Jun 2017
Hi Varanus, Moderators can add entries that lack photos but which have the other details (coordinates, date, observer) so if you also have any of that type of observation, they could be used.
Matthew Higgins' research in historic sources from around Canberra, reported in an emailed paper, indicates that both Lace and Rosenbergs were being seen roughly equally in the 1960s. There are suggestions that Lace Monitors MAY still persist in the Canberra area, eg there was a convincing sounding report of a sighting in 2016 from the Alpine Walking track near the NNP Visitor Centre, so its important to check for that species as well.
Matthew Higgins' research in historic sources from around Canberra, reported in an emailed paper, indicates that both Lace and Rosenbergs were being seen roughly equally in the 1960s. There are suggestions that Lace Monitors MAY still persist in the Canberra area, eg there was a convincing sounding report of a sighting in 2016 from the Alpine Walking track near the NNP Visitor Centre, so its important to check for that species as well.
30 Jun 2017
That is good to hear about that Varanus - it will be a great help for understanding the regional context. Look forward to seeing more records - i know it all takes time. I retired from teaching at UC a few years back and find myself busier than ever now - but i dont often go to meetings!
30 Jun 2017
Don et al, I have heard about the release of Rosenberg at mount Ainslie, but I cannot add any info on this.
Location information
- Places Wamboin, NSW
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- Varanus Recorded by
Collections
- Significant Varanus Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Varanus rosenbergi Monitors & Geckos Reptiles and Frogs
Species information
- Varanus rosenbergi Scientific name
- Heath or Rosenberg's Monitor Common name
- Sensitive
- Very rare / threatened
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1432.1m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
5 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- Description
- GPS evidence of location
- Additional attributes