IN PHOTOS: INDIGENOUS RANGERS AND RESEARCHERS USE DRONES TO SURVEY AND PROTECT ENDANGERED ROCK-WALLABY

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Since 2011, Indigenous ranger group the Nyikina Mangala Rangers have been working on Walalakoo Country with WWF-Australia to improve the conservation of the threatened wiliji (black-footed rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis kimberleyensis).

This year, the rangers have been using new technology including thermal drones for the first time to survey the disappearing species in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. The wiliji (black-footed rock-wallaby) is a small, limber and turbo-charged marsupial. Anyone lucky to catch a glimpse of this extremely agile animal might spot it darting across rocky outcrops and caves. These superhero abilities make it challenging to find wiliji in the wild and track their population. In this incredible gallery, teamwork and North West Australia’s incredible natural beauty is on full display in the race to protect this rare and iconic creature.

Close encounters with a rare kind of Australian animal

(Picture left to right: David Pearson (Principal Research Scientist, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions), William Watson (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Modra Green (Nyikina Mangala Head Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation)

(pictured left to right: L-R: Shaquille Millindee, Modra Green, Redman Watson, Redman Charles (Nyikina Mangala Rangers, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation) The wiliji is unique to Walalakoo Country in the Kimberley. It is a culturally significant native Australian animal, particularly to First Nations People in the surrounding area. For Modra Green and Tyrese Skeen of Nyikina Mangala Rangers, encountering the wiliji up close is always a special moment.

“I enjoyed holding the wiliji. The fur was really soft compared to a normal kangaroo”, Tyrese excitedly confirms. “Very soft just like holding a baby”, new dad and Head Ranger Modra gushes, comparing the feeling to cradling his then one-month-old son.

Australian Indigenous traditional land management meets the latest drone technology

Pictured (left to right): Leigh-Ann Woolley (Species Conservation Manager WA, WWF-Australia), Aliesha Hvala (Drone Pilot, Charles Darwin University), William Watson (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation).

First Nations rangers are using drones to survey the endangered black-footed rock-wallabies through a partnership between Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation (WAC), Charles Darwin University (CDU), and the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF). The drone surveys are being conducted alongside pre-existing techniques such as scat searches, live-trapping and camera surveys.

The thermal camera installed on the drones was able to detect the heat signature of the rock-wallaby and could cover a large area in a short period of time.

(pictured left to right: Marcus Johnson, Vern Chuguna, Redman Charles, Tyrese Skeen, (Nyikina Mangala Rangers, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation)

Coming together to protect the wiliji (black-footed rock-wallaby)

The purpose of this work is to pinpoint healthy wiliji populations in the area, then ultimately establish a permanent wiliji monitoring program.

The goal of the program will be to inform the Rangers of the wiliji’s response to management actions such as fire, feral predator control, protection of key forage plants, fencing off cattle, and other environmental impacts.

(pictured left to right: (Back, standing) Rebecca Rogers (Drone Pilot and Postdoctoral Researcher, Charles Darwin University), Quinton Fiebig (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Redman Charles (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Vern Chuguna (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Modra Green (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Tyrese Skeen (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), (front, seated) Aliesha Hvala (Drone Pilot, Charles Darwin University), William Watson (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Marcus Johnson (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation), Josiah Wise (Nyikina Mangala Ranger, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation)

(pictured left to right: Redman Charles, Modra Green, Redman Watson, Shaquille Millindee (Nyikina Mangala Rangers, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation)

WWF-Australia would like to acknowledge and thank the following past and present members of the Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation:

Elder:

John Darraga Watson

Past Rangers:

Nathan Green

Shaquille Millindee

Richard Cox

Conan Lee

Payday Butt

Frank Watson

Kimberley Watson

Current Rangers:

Modra Green (current Head Ranger)

Raymond Charles

William Watson

Albert Watson

Vern Chuguna

Tyrese Skeen

Marcus Johnson

Quinton Fiebig

Josiah Wise

This work forms part of WWF's Kimberley Innovation & Equity program which is funded by Lotterywest.