Indigenous Desert Alliance | Significant Species

Indigenous communities across the desert have strong cultural connection to, and a comprehensive knowledge of, the plants and animals on their Country. If the plants and animals are healthy, then people should be healthy too.

Threatened by the combined impacts of unmanaged wildfire, weeds and feral predators, many culturally significant animals are disappearing. However, they continue to thrive where people are looking after Country.

Indigenous rangers lead the protection of these species. They draw on their knowledge of Country as they undertake fire and feral predator management.

The IDA ensures that Traditional Owner priorities are at the forefront of threatened species monitoring and management and ranger teams receive appropriate support for significant species work.

The IDA works with Indigenous rangers to protect threatened species by supporting the development and implementation of culturally informed Indigenous-led recovery plans and promoting, respectful two-way science research projects that address questions that are important to Ranger teams.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program.

Kiwirrkurra Rangers sharing information about Ninu (Bilby)

Endemic and threatened animal species

The Australian desert is home to a huge number of endemic mammal, bird and reptile species, including 78 threatened animal species. The holistic approach of Indigenous land management protects all living things, however there is a focus on significant animals like the bilby as they are not only culturally significant but can indicate the overall health of their desert habitat. Due to climate pressures and key threats such as feral predators and invasive weeds, many species are at high risk and need monitoring and protection. Indigenous Rangers are critical for the survival of these species.