Traditional owners discover new quokka population in Perth hills

Traditional owners discover new quokka population in Perth hills

By PETER ROWE

A new quokka population has been discovered in hills around Perth by local charity, Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association Inc.

The quokkas were discovered through the BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program – a recent initiative that aims to address declining river health through creation of a new type of community catchment plan.

This is the first time that quokkas have been photographed by the general public in the area and is an important finding for conservation of the species.

“The discovery of these quokkas on Whadjuk Boodja demonstrates the importance of community-led programs like BoorYul-Bah-Bilya,” BNAA chair Water McGuire told ibnews.com.au

“As Noongar Traditional Owners, we have the language, stories and knowledge to look after this land as we have done since time began.

“Through BoorYul-Bah-Bilya, we will do everything we can to ensure that quokkas do not become another in a long list of our extinct or endangered native animals.”

While known to occur in isolated locations in the Darling Range, quokkas are rarely seen by the wider community. Their exact location will remain confidential and the best place to see quokkas is still on Wadjemup-Rottnest Island.

Quokkas are best known on Wadjemup-Rottnest Island although small groups live in the forests of Noongar Boodja. These mostly exist around Jarrahdale, Dwellingup, Collie, Nannup, Northcliffe, Denmark, the Stirling Ranges, Green Ranges and Bald Island.

Quokkas were once abundant in south-west WA but have reduced dramatically since the 1930s, likely due to foxes and widespread land clearing practices for agriculture and mining.

In the 1920s, quokkas were considered a pest of pine plantations and farms near Perth and were actively hunted and poisoned.

Senior Elder Greg Ugle said looking at the photographs was an important find.

“As a Noongar Traditional Elder, my intention is to be sure to protect these little animals,” he said.

And director Francesca Flynn said she hoped the discovery would help to strengthen efforts to protect mainland quokkas and other threatened native species.

“They are under constant threat from land clearing, fires, feral predators and our changing climate,” she said.

“I acknowledge the huge effort of BoorYul-Bah-Bilya volunteers, including Tim Blake, who has purchased special cameras and dedicated many volunteer hours.”

Quokkas have been studied extensively on Wadjemup-Rottnest but research on mainland quokkas is limited, which limits the development of strategies to protect them.

This new population was identified by BoorYul-Bah-Bilya volunteers as part of a Conservation Audit to assess the health of the Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) catchment.

BNAA are now working with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to manage the discovery and hope it will lead to additional resources for the WA Government’s Quokka Recovery Plan.

Photos: Tim Blake, BoorYul-Bah-Bilya