Looking after bilby: Kiwirrkurra and Gooniyandi Ranger Exchange

5 minute read

The Gooniyandi, Walungurru and Kiwirrkurra ranger teams each made long journeys to each other's country to share knowledge and skills about looking after threatened species like the bilby.

Sam Younis, Environs Kimberley

The Gooniyandi and Walungurru Rangers were able to learn from the Kiwirrkurra Rangers and Traditional Owners on Kiwirrkurra IPA about catching feral cats using a combination of reading the desert landscape, tracking on foot, and using motor vehicles not only as a means of covering more ground but also as a tool to encourage cats back towards those moving on foot.

"We taught them how to look after ninu. We put out camera traps to see if ninu is doing ok. We also did tracking for feral cat to make sure they don't go near ninu."

Ian Newberry, Kiwirrkurra Ranger

Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation

The Kiwirrkurra Rangers felt happy to teach other ranger groups about the work they are doing to look after threatened species such as Ninu (Bilby) and teach them about their Tjukurrpa (dreaming stories) such as Tjitirurr which is Ninu dreaming.

Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation

During the return journey, the Kiwirrkurra Rangers travelled to the Bawoorrooga Community in Gooniyandi Country. They were shown bilby burrows in a gravelly patchy area that bilbies would camp in during the wet seasons and found new burrows along the way. They were also showed different types of burrows in the same area, only to find out that these types of burrow are not found in Kiwirrkurra.

"The Gooniyandi Rangers took us to their ninu burrow sites. It was under a car. But before we checked the camera, a cat ran out from under there and that's when everyone decided to chase. The Gooniyandi Rangers were excited to see us catch it."

Scott West, Kiwirrkurra Ranger

Sam Younis, Environs Kimberley

Although the cat hunt was unsuccessful during theirtime in Kiwirrkurra due to unseasonal cool weather, on this occasion, the Rangers were able to catch a cat that had been hanging around some of the Gooniyandi bilby sites. It was cooked up and shared with all at a special spring in the afternoon.

Sam Younis, Environs Kimberley

Everyone had an amazing time together. The mutual exchange of information and skills helped strengthen the relationship between the ranger groups and also helped protect threatened species.

Watch the Kiwirrkurra Rangers share stories about this exchange at IDA Conference 2022

Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation

Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation manages the Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area over the entirety of their native title determination. The Kiwirrkurra Rangers men's and women's team have a strong focus on using traditional knowledge on country and working with Western scientists to bring both practices together.

Website

Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation Ranger Teams

Kimberley Land Council

The Kimberley Land Council was formed in 1978 by Kimberley Aboriginal people as a political land rights organisation. Today, they have grown to become the peak Indigenous body in the Kimberley region working with Aboriginal people to secure native title recognition, conduct conservation and land management activities and develop cultural business enterprises.

Website

Kimberley Land Council Ranger Teams

Acknowledgements

This ranger exchange occurred on Pintupi Country and Gooniyandi Country. Thanks to the Traditional Owners of these lands for their welcome, guidance, instruction and support during this ranger exchange.

Further thanks to Kimberley Land Council, Desert Support Services, Central Land Council, and Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation for continued support for the Gooniyandi Rangers, Kiwirrkurra Rangers, Walungurru Rangers, and Ngurrara Rangers.

Additional thanks to Fitzroy Crossing District High School, Mimbi Caves tour.