Australian scientists and indigenous rangers have devised a new method to incorporate indigenous knowledge ­­about a threatened desert marsupial — the greater bilby — into predictive species distribution models.

To combat the threats to mankarr (bilby) populations, BHP is supporting the “Martu mankarr search” method which is based on Martu knowledge of desert ecology, classification of habitat types, fire patterns, food resources, threats and management practices that affect desert animals.

Deep in the Little Sandy Desert, Martu walked with purposeful footsteps, weaving their way between clumps of spiky green spinifex, fanning out across the sandplain. Eyes were to the ground, reading the small indents, scrapes and scratches in the sand. And then, the tracks the rangers had been looking for: the bounding-overstep motion of the mankarr (greater bilby).

The Jigalong rangers have been working around Pinpi (Durba Hills) and Kaalpi (Calvert Ranges) to conduct monitoring work on the warru (black-flanked rock wallaby) population, to search for signs of a wiminyji (northern quoll) population and to carry out mankarr (bilby) surveys.

KJ ranger teams have been carrying out mankarr (bilby) surveys as part of the mankarr monitoring project. This work, over time, will monitor population size, distribution and assess habitat health.