Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary - AWC
A visit to Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary
On Saturday the 19th of October we had the opportunity to visit Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary ....and not only have a tour of the centre but also to listen to some experienced ecologists discuss unique fauna regional species.
With representatives from, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board (Mel), the Mid-Murray Landcare Group (Aimee), the Australian Wildlfie Conservancy (Heather) and Animals Anonymous (Adrian) sharing information on a range of species the primary focus on this day was the Murray-Darling Carpet Python, and seeking community assistance with reporting sightings.
Why are Murray-Darling carpet pythons threatened?
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies. from link - MRLB
The reduction of suitable habitat through fragmentation, clearing and cultivation as well as historical threat of poaching has resulted in a drastic decline in the distribution of the Murray-Darling carpet python in South Australia. The persistent loss of habitat along the River Murray is a significant issue for the species which typically favours riverside areas. It is also thought that predation by introduced species such as foxes and dogs have contributed to a decline in numbers.
What is being done to help Murray-Darling carpet pythons?
At present there is little up to date and accurate data regarding the distribution of Murray-Darling carpet pythons in South Australia. From 2023, ecologists from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board will be actively searching key habitat and seeking information from the community about their sightings to improve our knowledge of the distribution and conservation needs for this important species.
Help save the Murray-Darling carpet python
If you see a Murray-Darling carpet python, please let us know. Submit your sighting on iSPYthon or contact us with the date and location of your sighting. Even better take a photo and include it!
The Murray Darling Carpet Python has not been recorded on 16:6 , however, it stands to reason that they could be present. We will plan targeted transects in areas of old growth Mallee and make observations when walking at key times of the day/year.
We – 16:6 are hoping that opportunistic sightings of the Murray Darling Carpet Pythons on the Heritage Agreement land that we steward will add to the information of their presence, habitat and recordings.
Lets look at Yookamurra
Protecting over 5,000 hectares of crucial habitat in the Murray Darling region, Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary is a stronghold for Australia’s threatened species.
It contains stands of old growth and unburnt mallee and is the site of several successful reintroductions of some of Australia’s most endangered mammals.
A Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat on Section 13 - facing off a red fox
From the website - Yookamurra - AWC - Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Yookamurra is a stronghold for many species that are disappearing rapidly across Australia, including Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat and the Malleefowl . There is a feral-proof fence around 1,100 hectares of the property, providing refuge for wild populations of several threatened species.
Nestled between the eastern slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges and the great Murray River, Yookamurra has gently undulating country, with elevation ranging from 80 to 90 metres. It is in the semi-arid zone of South Australia, receiving an average annual rainfall of 270 millimetres, mostly between May and August. The temperature varies greatly, with very hot summers (50° Celsius is the maximum recorded) and cold winters (-8° Celsius is the minimum recorded).
Soils on the property are generally thin and sit on top of calcrete and rubbly limestone. They vary from sandy loam to limestone rubble, with some deep residual claypans with soils up to 3.5 m deep. Three major habitat types dominate Yookamurra,
· Eucalyptus shrubland (mallee).
· Sugarwood shrubland; and
· open chenopod shrubland.
· There are also some stands of native pine (Callitris) on the property.
This picture shows Westringia how it should look like when not browsed by Kangaroos. Yookamurra does not have kangaroos inside the sanctuary.
Wildlife at Yookamurra
Within its 1,100 hectare feral-free area, Yookamurra protects vitally important wild populations of four threatened mammals: the Bilby, Numbat, Burrowing Bettong (Boodie) and Brush-tailed Bettong (Woylie). Populations of Numbats, Brush-tailed Bettongs and Bilbies have declined significantly over the last 10 to 15 years, and the Burrowing Bettong is extinct on mainland Australia except in large fenced areas. All four species are secure at Yookamurra.
Yookamurra also protects populations of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats, as well as small mammals such as the Western Pygmy Possum, Common and Fat-tailed Dunnarts.
There are over 110 bird species confirmed on the property, including the Malleefowl and rare or declining woodland birds like the Hooded Robin, Gilbert’s Whistler, Brown Treecreeper and Elegant Parrot.
Inside the fenced 1100 hectares of Yookamurra there are NO Mallee Fowl. However the ground surveys on land under their care and management they have four mallee fowl nests which are or have been recently active.
One of the Adult birds photographed on 16:6 Section 226.
The take home messages for us was that the Australian Wildlfie Conservancy's aims include
- Purchase or acquire land through partnerships with Indigenous groups, governments and private landholders; and
- Implement practical land management (feral animal control and fire management) which is informed by world-class science.
- Educate.
Well Maybe the future of 16:6 in Generations to come will be to partner with the AWC?