A powerful image capturing Indigenous rangers protecting Country from the skies has resonated with people across Australia, earning the People's Choice Award in the Healthy Country, Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities Photo Competition.
Titled Sky Rangers, the winning photograph by Salvino Mamo shines a spotlight on the vital work being undertaken by Indigenous rangers across Arnhem Land and the deep cultural responsibilities which continue to guide land management on Country.
The image features Warddeken Rangers Manoah Nawilil and Zacharia Namarnyilk undertaking targeted aerial feral pig control on Yurlhmanj Country within the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area. While the photograph captures a single moment in time, it tells a much bigger story about caring for Country, intergenerational knowledge sharing and Indigenous leadership in conservation.
Seated in the rear of the aircraft is Zacharia Namarnyilk, a senior djunkay, or caretaker, for the Yurlhmanj estate. As spotter during the operation, Mr Namarnyilk draws upon extensive cultural and environmental knowledge of the landscape below. Alongside him is fellow ranger Manoah Nawilil, who has also dedicated many years to protecting and managing Country.
The aerial operation formed part of a week-long training camp that brought together Indigenous rangers from four groups across Arnhem Land. Participants completed a Level 3 unit in feral animal control techniques delivered by Charles Darwin University in partnership with the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA).
Importantly, the training program represents the first accredited course of its kind designed specifically for Indigenous rangers. It acknowledges the unique skills, knowledge and experience Indigenous land managers bring to conservation efforts while providing formal qualifications which strengthens career pathways within the ranger sector.
For many Indigenous rangers, however, caring for Country is not simply a job. It is a cultural obligation which has been passed down through generations. Long before formal training programs existed, Traditional Owners were managing landscapes, protecting ecosystems and maintaining healthy environments through cultural knowledge and practice.
For Zacharia and Manoah, feral animal management has been a significant focus for more than fifteen years. Through sustained efforts to control feral pig populations and other invasive species, they have witnessed positive changes across Yurlhmanj Country, helping protect native plants, waterways and culturally significant sites.
The public response to Sky Rangers reflects a growing appreciation for the role Indigenous rangers play in safeguarding some of Australia's most environmentally and culturally important landscapes. The image offers a rare glimpse into the dedication, skill and commitment required to care for Country across vast and remote areas of northern Australia.
More than a photograph, Sky Rangers is a celebration of Indigenous knowledge, leadership and resilience. It recognises the people who continue to combine cultural authority with contemporary conservation practices to ensure Country remains healthy for future generations.
As the People's Choice Award winner, the image stands as a powerful reminder that when Indigenous people are supported to lead on Country, the benefits extend far beyond the landscape, strengthening culture, community and the future of the next generation.
