DNP EAReplyReply allForwardTo:​You​Fri 22/08/2025 9:38 AM

OFFICIAL

Dear Michael,

 Thank you for contacting the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

 Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Director of National Parks is responsible for Commonwealth reserves. These include six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens and 60 Australian Marine Parks. These areas are managed either directly or in partnership with Traditional Owners, supported by Parks Australia. You can find more information about these parks at www.parksaustralia.gov.au.

 Parks Australia is currently using eDNA to better understand and protect biodiversity on land and sea. This method can help us detect invasive species such as the wolf snake on Christmas Island, monitor threatened species like the great desert skink in Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park and to assess biodiversity in over 15 Australian Marine Parks.

 While we do not usually carry out genetic analysis ourselves, we are building our capability and working with research partners. We are collaborating with CSIRO on the National Biodiversity DNA Library to improve eDNA data across Australia. We are also working with the Minderoo Foundation to explore how eDNA can support conservation and improve access to data for park managers, researchers and the public. More information is available at marine-parks.minderoo.org.

Regarding your specific questions:

• Parks Australia uses eDNA screening in a number of national parks, including both marine and terrestrial environments. The specific locations and focus areas vary depending on the objectives of each project.
• We work in close partnership with research agencies and institutions including to encourage, contribute to, or commission science to address park management needs https://australianmarineparks.gov.au/science/science-partnerships/.
• The Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine) is not a focus of Parks Australia's current eDNA monitoring activities. Although the species may appear in some commercially available eDNA panels, our monitoring program is guided by the department’s priorities, including the Priority Species list (Priority Species - DCCEEW).

 Thank you again for your interest. If you have any further questions, please find our contact information here https://parksaustralia.gov.au/about/contact-us/

 Regards,

Melinda

 Parks Australia

Ngunnawal Country, John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600 Australia

GPO Box 3090 ACT 2601

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

https://www.envirodna.com/resources/news/searching-for-tasmanian-tiger-dna