Feral cats and foxes threaten bilbies at sacred Malupirti springs

A recent camera survey of the Malupirti springs, a culturally significant site for the Karajarri people, has revealed a mix of heartening and concerning findings. The survey, which used 41 cameras to capture over 220,000 images, confirmed the presence of the vulnerable greater bilby and detected a large number of feral cats and foxes.

Protecting a sacred site

Located almost three hours' drive inland from the coastal Kimberley community of Bidydanga, the Malupirti springs lie hidden in the vast terrain of the Great Sandy Desert. The site is a protected area for the Karajarri people due to its cultural significance and fragile ecosystem. Head Karajarri women's ranger Hayley Mulardy said the survey was an important step in protecting the area.

"Back in the days, our old people used to walk this country and the one thing they would depend on is the springs for water and the other food sources that surround the springs," she said.

With the knowledge of elders, 41 cameras detecting animal movement were set up near the springs, animal burrows, and shelters. The cameras confirmed the survival of the bilby at Malupirti, with sightings at four of the sites. Ms Mulardy said it "was good to know native species were surviving on their own".

Feral predators a concern

However, rangers and researchers were concerned with the number of feral cats and foxes detected at the site. Feral cats were detected at 32 of 41 camera sites, with some seen near bilby burrows. WWF Kimberley conservation specialist Pius Gregory said he was not surprised by the presence of the predators.

"The cat and the fox eat the bilbies and all sorts of animals," he said. "They play a big role in the amount of animals put on the endangered list."

Mr Gregory said it was "rewarding" to confirm several other types of native species inhabited Malupirti, including 21 bird species, six mammals, and at least six different types of reptile.

Other threats to the site

Camels and cattle also pose a threat to the site, with Mr Gregory noting that they can trample fencing and foul up the water. Camels were seen at nine of the camera sites.

"You can put up a fence but in the end they'll knock it down," Mr Gregory said. "They will want to get to the water and when they do get in, the cattle follow and trample all around the edge of their springs, which is a sacred area, and foul up the water [using it as] a toilet."

Ms Mulardy said rangers routinely checked the fencing, but it was a constant battle.

"It's getting really bad to the point where we go up and down, and put up fences pretty much every three, two months," she said.

Conservation efforts

Ms Mulardy and Mr Gregory said Indigenous-led conservation efforts and recording the status of the site's native species were important for the "next generation". They said the groups would now focus on further tracking and management of the pests, including collaring feral cats and camels.

"We are going out on country and going out with a lot of other researchers and rangers to help with this work," Ms Mulardy said. "As Aboriginal people, we live off the country and we want to protect it. We can't do that without seeing how the native animals and how our country is going."