16 Nov 2021

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

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

A wiliji being transferred from a trap into a capture bag held by Head Nyikina Mangala Ranger Modra Green © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

(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)

A wiliji cradled in a capture bag by Nyikina Mangala Rangers before release © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

(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

Holding the fixed-wing drone used for wiliji surveys on Nyikina Mangala Country © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF - Australia

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.

Nyikina Mangala Ranger William Watson using drone vision goggles to search for wiliji in caves on the Erskine Range © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

Erskine Ranges as seen through a standard camera (left), and thermal camera (right) © Rebecca Rogers / Charles Darwin University / Vanessa Barnett

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.

iliji (black-footed rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis kimberleyensis, circled) spotted on standard, night vision (top left) and thermal drone camera (top right) © Rebecca Rogers / Charles Darwin University

Nyikina Mangala Head Ranger Modra Green (seated) using drone vision goggles to search for wiliji in caves on the Erskine Range while Nyikina Mangala Rangers Vern Chuguna and William Watson watch on © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

Nyikina Mangala Ranger Redman Charles using drone vision goggles to search for wiliji in caves on the Erskine Range while his Ranger team mates spot the drone overhead © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

(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.

A ranger enjoying a close encounter with a wiliji (black-flanked rock-wallaby) in Erskine Range= west Kimberley

Nyikina Mangala Ranger Redman Watson setting a Thomas trap in wiliji habitat on Erskine Range © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

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.

The dream team! Nyikina Mangala Rangers in partnership with WWF and Charles Darwin University after successfully surveying the Erskine Range for wiliji © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

(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)

We’ve been hand-picked to represent our tribe, which means we need to work together with modern-day science now. We’re here to do a job for our old people, and our young people. My uncles told me that in order to do our job properly we need to fall in love with it - take pride in what you do. It gives you a good feeling. That’s where modern science and traditional techniques work hand in hand to get a better outcome.

William Watson

Nyikina Mangala Ranger

Returning to camp at sunset after baiting Thomas traps set for wiliji on the Erskine Range, Nyikina Mangala Country © Leigh-Ann Woolley / WWF-Australia

(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.