The <i>warru</i> (<i>Petrogale lateralis</i> MacDonnell Ranges Race) reintroduction project on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia

Muhic, Jasmina; Abbott, Eric; Ward, Matthew J.

doi:10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00620.x

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…When compared to other Aboriginal groups within the Western Desert, externally funded NRM is in its infancy within Spinifex Country. Indeed, there are well‐established ranger programs in the Ngaanyatjarra and APY lands (see Muhic et al. 2012; Preuss & Dixon 2012) lands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross‐cultural systematic biological surveys in Australia’s Western Desert

Brennan¹,

Twigg²,

Watson³

et al. 2012

Eco Management Restoration

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Summary We describe small‐scale biological surveys conducted by a collaboration of biologists and Traditional Owners designed to build scientific knowledge of the biota in remote desert regions of Western Australia. Importantly, while science driven (including systematic survey methods), the project also incorporated Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK). In doing so, it has assisted with cross‐generational transfer and preliminary documentation of IEK in this region. Here, we describe a case study of surveys conducted with the Pila Nguru (Spinifex People) in the Spinifex Native Title Determined Area of the Great Victoria Desert. A total of 185 native plant species were recorded (representing 37 families and 94 genera). Only one individual of a weed species was recorded. Three plant species are new to science; Grevillea ilkurlka ms. Dicrastylis sp. ‘Ilkurlka’ and Gnephosis sp., with the first two of these species of conservation interest. The survey recorded 148 species of vertebrates; 72 birds, 21 mammals (of which six were introduced), 54 reptiles and one frog. Many animal names used by the Spinifex People were documented. The following animals that are of conservation interest were recorded: Itjarri‐itjarri (Southern Marsupial Mole, Notoryctes typhlops), Nganamarra (Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata), Murrtja (Brush‐tailed Mulgara, Dasycercus blythi), and Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae). We concur with previous authors that biological surveys, when cross‐cultural, can not only build scientific knowledge, but contribute to broader social goals of assisting Aboriginal people with cross‐generational transfer and documenting of IEK.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross‐cultural systematic biological surveys in Australia’s Western Desert

Brennan¹,

Twigg²,

Watson³

et al. 2012

Eco Management Restoration

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“…Individuals were radio-tracked daily for the first 2 weeks post-release, then subsequently at weekly intervals throughout the study period. Radio-tracking was conducted by An̲angu Warru Rangers (Muhic et al, 2012), traditional owners of the study site, whose involvement with the project was welcomed, and integral to securing permissions and funding for the translocation (Read & Ward, 2011b). The VHF signal for the radio collars was programmed to latch into a mortality mode, indicated by a doubling in pulse rate of the signal, if no movement was detected for 12 hours.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1), c. 17 km from the New Well colony. The fence design consisted of a floppy overhang designed to keep predators out but facilitate emigration of climbing animals such as warru (Moseby & Read, 2006; for full details of site selection and fence specifications see Muhic et al, 2012). The exclosure contained two areas, which could be separated if needed.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring for adaptive management in a trial reintroduction of the black-footed rock-wallabyPetrogale lateralis

West

Read

Ward

et al. 2016

Oryx

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Reintroduction practitioners must often make critical decisions about reintroduction protocols despite having little understanding of the reintroduction biology of the focal species. To enhance the available knowledge on the reintroduction biology of the warru, or black-footed rock-wallabyPetrogale lateralisMacDonnell Ranges race, we conducted a trial reintroduction of 16 captive individuals into a fenced predator and competitor exclosure on the An̲angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia. We conducted seven trapping sessions and used radio-tracking and camera traps to monitor survival, reproduction and recruitment to the population over 36 months. Blood samples were collected pre-release and during two trapping sessions post-release to assess nutritional health. The survival rate of founders was 63%, with all losses occurring within 10 weeks of release. Post-release blood biochemistry indicated that surviving warru adapted to their new environment and food sources. Female warru conceived within 6 months of release; 28 births were recorded during the study period and 52% of births successfully recruited to the population. Our results suggest that captive-bred warru are capable of establishing and persisting in the absence of introduced predators. However, the high mortality rate immediately post-release, with only a modest recruitment rate, suggests that future releases into areas where predators and competitors are present should use a trial approach to determine the viability of reintroduction. We recommend that future releases of warru into unfenced areas include an intensive monitoring period in the first 3 months post-release followed by a comprehensive long-term monitoring schedule to facilitate effective adaptive management.

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“…This interaction sparked further collaboration that was driven by the Nywaigi people’s desire to reconnect with their recently re‐acquired country, develop a management plan and restore degraded wetlands using Indigenous knowledge and ways of managing country with fire combined with Western weed control methods. Muhic et al. (2012) described how a two‐way management plan was applied to conserve warru ( Petrogale lateralis ) in the Anangu Pitjanjara Yankunytjajara lands of South Australia following concern about declining abundance by Anangu Traditional Owners.…”

Section: Exploring the Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian approaches for managing ‘country’ using Indigenous and non‐Indigenous knowledge

Ens

Finlayson²,

Preuss

et al. 2012

Eco Management Restoration

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Summary This paper synthesises the lessons learnt and challenges encountered when applying Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and methods in natural and cultural resource management (NCRM) in northern and central Australia. We primarily draw on the papers within this special issue of Ecological Management & Restoration, which originated largely from the Indigenous land management symposium at the 2010 Ecological Society of Australia conference. Many of the papers and therefore this article discuss practical experiences that offer insight for enhanced on-ground cross-cultural NCRM and can inform broader thinking and theoretical critiques. A wider literature is also drawn upon to substantiate the points and broaden the scope of the synthesis. Four key themes for consideration in collaborative cross-cultural NCRM are discussed. They are as follows: 1. The differences in environmental philosophy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures which profoundly shape perceptions of environmental management; 2. Cross-cultural awareness of Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and methods; 3. The mechanics of two-way approaches to ecological research and managing country (NCRM as perceived by Indigenous people) and 4. Operational challenges for Indigenous NCRM organisations. To conclude, we point out five broad principles for managing country using Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge: (i) Recognise the validity of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous environmental philosophies; (ii) Create more opportunities for improved cross-cultural understanding, respect and collaborations; (iii) Involve Indigenous people and their knowledge and interests at all stages of the Indigenous NCRM project or research (including planning, design, implementation, communication and evaluation); (iv) Ensure that time and continuity of effort and resources are available (to undertake participatory processes and for trust-building and innovation) and (v) Establish high-level political support through legal and policy frameworks to maintain continuity of government commitment to Indigenous NCRM.

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The warru (Petrogale lateralis MacDonnell Ranges Race) reintroduction project on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia

Cited by 17 publications

References 5 publications

Cross‐cultural systematic biological surveys in Australia’s Western Desert

Cross‐cultural systematic biological surveys in Australia’s Western Desert

Monitoring for adaptive management in a trial reintroduction of the black-footed rock-wallabyPetrogale lateralis

Australian approaches for managing ‘country’ using Indigenous and non‐Indigenous knowledge

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