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Exchanging knowledge with Monarto Zoo

2 minute read

APY Warru ranger Kumana Entata completed a one-month placement with Monarto Zoo as part of an IDA Ranger Exchange to build skills in animal handling and the conservation sector. Monarto is the largest zoo in Australia offering a unique opportunity for Kumana to experience a wide variety of activities with both the open range conservation team and the specialist animal handling team. 

Clockwise L-R: Kumana releasing a yellow-footed rock-wallaby after a health check; holding a Palm Cockatoo; and monitoring remote cameras from the Monarto office.

Kumana is using skills developed during the placement to help inform the warru project management on the APY Lands and to provide leadership to his fellow rangers.

Kumana with a warru at Monarto Zoo.

"Brushcutting was a valuable skill to learn. Palya!"

Kumana Entata, APY Warru Ranger
Zoos SA
Kumana during vegetation and track management in the Wild Africa enclosure at Monarto Safari Park.

The APY rangers are successfully restoring culturally significant warru populations that have long been hunted by feral cats and foxes. Warru rangers have been generous in sharing their expert skills in looking after warru with ranger teams from other parts of the desert.

The APY Rangers are looking forward to more placement opportunities at Monarto Zoo soon.

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