Aboriginal rangers from across the Kimberley have gathered in Broome to share strategies for managing feral animals that damage wetlands, cultural sites and fragile ecosystems across northern Western Australia.
Dambimangari Rangers attended the two-day Large Feral Herbivore (LFH) workshop this week hosted by the Northern Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) and the Karajarri Traditional Lands Association.
The workshop brought together ranger groups to strengthen practical skills in managing animals such as feral cattle and donkeys, which continue to pose environmental and safety risks across the region.
"These two days brought ranger groups together to share knowledge and build skills in managing large feral herbivores and protecting wetlands and Country," Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation said.
Feral animals remain a persistent issue across the west Kimberley, including along the long road corridors between Derby and Broome, where stray cattle and donkeys are known to cause vehicle accidents as well as damage native vegetation and water systems.
Dambimangari Rangers run an extensive feral animal management program across the Dambimangari Indigenous Protected Area and the Yampi Sound Training Area in partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
"Our work on Country continues a practice our people have done since European colonisation," the corporation said.
"Major threats are Bulumanu (cattle) and Orromarnangarri (donkeys)."
Rangers use a range of techniques to monitor and control the animals, including aerial shooting, mustering and fencing, ground shooting, camera trapping and aerial surveys.
The corporation said the program had already achieved significant results.
"Using these methods we've effectively eradicated feral cattle from across our Indigenous Protected Area, while donkeys remain present in low numbers."
Workshops such as the Broome gathering allow ranger groups to strengthen their knowledge and coordinate approaches to protecting Country across the Kimberley.
