Conservation is in the eye of the beholder: taking a sensory approach to animal management and conservation in Australia

Animals possess a range of sensory systems that are shaped by phylogeny and adapted to their unique life history. The field of sensory ecology studies how animals use these sensory capabilities to acquire and process salient information that enhances survival. Navigation, prey capture, predator avoidance, and communication are behaviours that rely on sensory inputs and are critical to understanding how an animal interacts with the physical environment and the other organisms that share its habitat. Because sensory biology is so critical to the behaviour of an animal, a detailed understanding of a species’ sensory capabilities may also reveal novel and potentially more effective ways of manipulating its behaviour for management or conservation purposes. Here we highlight several instances where the application of a sensory ecology approach has been used to tackle challenging conservation problems, with a view to encouraging such an approach in Australian ecosystems. We describe how it is possible to exploit animal sensory systems to control invasive species using sensory traps and reduce negative interactions between humans and animals. We emphasise the importance of understanding and mitigating anthropogenic stressors from the perspective of the animals affected, in both wild animals affected by urban development and captive animals. It is evident that a sensory ecology approach has much to offer in terms of improving animal welfare and the conservation of biodiversity, including through the development of novel technological solutions that augment the current conservation management toolbox.