Feral threats revealed in Malupirti springs camera survey

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.

Located almost three hours' drive inland from the coastal Kimberley community of Bidydanga, the Malupirti springs are a protected area due to their cultural significance and fragile ecosystem. The site is part of the 31,000-square-kilometre Karajarri native title area, an Indigenous Protected Area.

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.

The cameras were set up near the springs, animal burrows, and shelters, and were triggered by animal movement. The images were sorted using artificial intelligence (AI). Bilbies were seen at four of the sites, and Mulardy said it "was good to know native species were surviving on their own".

However, rangers and researchers were concerned about the number of feral cats and foxes detected. Feral cats were found at 32 of the 41 camera sites, and some were 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."

The survey also detected 21 bird species, six mammals, and at least six different types of reptile. However, camels and cattle were also seen, and Gregory said they threatened the site. "You can put up a fence but in the end they'll knock it down," he 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."

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

Mulardy said rangers routinely checked the fencing, but it was getting worse. "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.

The Karajarri rangers and WWF-Australia conservationists will continue to work together to protect the site and its native species.