Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia | Government organisation

Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9219 9000

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25.01.2022 Ever wondered what a baby pelican looks like? They are not easy to spot in the wild because pelicans often breed on protected islands away from human disturbance. These nestlings were spotted recently at one of WA’s most important pelican rookeries on Penguin Island. The youngsters are seen feeding by putting their entire head down their parents’ throats! The parents identify their nestlings from hundreds of other chicks by recognising the unique patterns on their faces. Th...ere are seven species of pelicans in the world. The Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is the largest and arguably the prettiest! Rick Dawson

25.01.2022 WELLINGTON DAM MEGA MURAL Wellington Dam's huge 367m x 34m wall face is a canvas for what will be one the world's biggest murals! The very talented Guido van Helten is making great progress, using cranes and abseiling equipment to get the job done. Surrounded by the spectacular Wellington National Park, the dam mega mural is yet another reason to visit Collie, which is being turned into WA’s premiere trail adventure town.... Read more about the Wellington Dam mural and other exciting things happening in Collie in the Summer edition of #LANDSCOPEmagazine, in newsagents and online next month at shop.dbca.wa.gov.au.

23.01.2022 Hanging at the beach this summer? Please help do your bit to protect our wildlife As the weather heats up, people spending more time on the coast have been spotting kangaroos swimming in the ocean. While typically they are good swimmers, it's always best to leave the area if you see one in the water. Kangaroos are likely swimming to avoid people or predators like dogs and won't feel safe to return to shore. ... If you see one, please do not approach it. Keep your dog close and leave the area as quickly as possible so it can return safely to the beach. If you have concerns for the health or welfare of wildlife, please call our Wildcare Helpine for advice on 9474 9055. - Dylan Alcock at Lucky Bay, Esperance

22.01.2022 Did you know? Grass trees - known as Balga in Nyoongar - are endemic to our state and thrive in the tough WA bush. The species can grow in poor soil and even respond to wildfire by flowering. As the first scientists and botanists in Australia, Aboriginal people have long used grass trees to make tools and spears, and even use the wooden stems to make fire. ... #NAIDOC2020 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe Photo: Flowering grass trees (Xanthorrhoea preissii) near Cervantes, WA. Rob Davis / DBCA

21.01.2022 Endangered Shark Bay bandicoots have been released onto Dirk Hartog Island as part of the groundbreaking #Returnto1616 ecological restoration project. This species was once found across the north-west of WA before becoming extinct on the mainland in the 1940s. Currently, natural populations are only found on islands in the Shark Bay World Heritage area.

20.01.2022 NUMBAT NEWS The results from the annual November numbat drive are in - the survey has recorded an incredible 35 numbats! This is an exciting result for the endangered species and the highest number recorded in more than 26 years. In fact, last year only 10 individuals were spotted. ... Plus, a number of the marsupials were also spotted in areas where they have been absent for years. Collecting this valuable data takes around 4-5 days to complete. Together, three observers drive a 62km route throughout Dryandra Woodland six times The survey is carried out annually by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, with the help of volunteers at the Numbat Task Force. Well done and thank you to all the volunteers who have dedicated their time to this important research. Numbats in Dryandra Woodland - Jacqui McGhie

20.01.2022 WILLIAM BAY NATIONAL PARK IS OPEN The wait is over. The iconic William Bay National Park, including Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, is open to the public! Thanks to a $4.4 million investment by the State Government, people will be able to enjoy newly sealed roads, carparks, toilet blocks and signage when visiting the popular park, allowing easier and safer access, and protecting the fragile coastal vegetation.... Utmost care and attention to engineering and design has allowed provision for over 200 parking bays, more than doubling the parking capacity in the park. As one of the region’s tourism drawcards, the park’s diverse landscapes and turquoise waters attract more than 300,000 visits each year. Over the last few months, we have worked with local contractors, the Shire of Denmark and Great Southern Development Commission to deliver these much-needed improvements to the park. We would like to thank the community for their ongoing patience and support throughout this project.

19.01.2022 EMPOWERING ABORIGINAL WOMEN Aboriginal women play an important role in strengthening social and family networks in communities. Employing Aboriginal women in regional and remote areas promotes social change whereby women act as leaders and positive drivers in the community. Now in its third year, the State Government’s $20 million Aboriginal Ranger Program has resulted in the employment of over 300 Aboriginal people, more than half of whom are women. These women bring their u...nique knowledge and perspectives to managing country and are helping to build stronger, more resilient communities. The program is helping Aboriginal organisations manage country and protect the environment across WA in partnership with the public and private sectors. #NAIDOC2020 www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-and-wild/aboriginal-ranger-program : Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers.

19.01.2022 Heading out on the trails this summer? Can you carry enough water to sustain you on your bushwalk, even if expected supplies along the way have run dry? Can you navigate by paper map if your GPS stops working? Can you drive safely across that flowing creek? Can you repair your bike when it breaks down? Do you know how a temperature of 40C affects you? To prepare for your trail experience: Know your limits and be aware of your own capabilities: your skills, experience and... fitness. Be prepared for unexpected changes in weather. Avoid sunburn by wearing a hat, shirt and sunscreen, even on overcast days. Ensure your equipment is appropriate, in good condition and that you know how to use it. The availability of water in parks, especially for drinking, cannot be guaranteed. Do not expect to find water supplied or in natural watercourses, even in winter. Carry and drink 3 to 4 litres per person per day. Always carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. Mobile phones can be useful but don’t rely on them for safety or in an emergency as many parks have limited or no coverage. See more

18.01.2022 DOLPHIN CALF DISENTANGLED A dolphin calf has swum free after being successfully disentangled this afternoon. The calf was reported to be entangled in fishing line earlier this week in the Peel Inlet. Staff from Parks and Wildlife Service lead the operation, supported by Perth Zoo’s veterinary team and a dedicated crew of local volunteers.... Disentangling a wild animal is certainly no mean feat and today’s success wouldn’t be possible without such great team work. The operation involved careful planning and took a crew of more than 20 people across two days! While the dolphin has sustained injuries as result of the fishing line entanglement, the team hold high hopes for calf’s future. Well done and thank you to all involved. River Guardians Perth Zoo

17.01.2022 We operate 13 fire detection towers around the forest regions of WA. They are one of the best means of detecting bushfires, along with our spotter aircraft. Many of the towers are staffed during the bushfire season for varying periods depending on the fire danger rating, the likelihood of lightning storms and existing fires.

17.01.2022 CELEBRATING JOINT MANAGEMENT In October, a historic settlement was reached with Gibson Desert (Pila) Nature Reserve traditional owners. The settlement provides economic, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal people in the Gibson Desert region.... The area is being renamed Pila Nature Reserve which would be jointly managed by traditional owners and the State Government. #NAIDOC2020 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe : Jason Thomas, with permission from Warnpurru Aboriginal Corporation

15.01.2022 Everywhere you go, always take the weather Introducing our new portable weather stations, which we can deploy on the ground during prescribed burns and bushfires to provide weather readings on location. The data is fed back to the Bureau of Meteorology to provide real-time on-ground observations and assist in forecasting. ... This is part of our science-based approach to prescribed burning, where we look at multiple factors when making decisions. It helps keep our firefighters safe, minimise smoke impacts on communities and ensures we can respond as quickly as possible to changing conditions.

12.01.2022 Severe fire weather conditions are forecast for the next few days and camping during hot and windy weather can be dangerous. All our campsites in the Perth, Peel, South West and South Coast regions are fully booked over the next few days and a number of park closures are also in place. Keep up to date on what’s happening for your location by visiting www.emergency.wa.gov.au... Information on having a safe camping trip can also be found at https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/camping

11.01.2022 Meet Felix Nicholls. At 13, Felix is the youngest member of the Western Australian Herbarium’s volunteer mounting team. Since starting back in February 2019, he has contributed more than 157 hours and processed 388 plant specimens. Felix’s work helps to ensure the Herbarium’s collections are archived using best practice techniques and assists in preparing currently unincorporated specimens, unlocking botanical knowledge for the State. Felix, together with his mother Runi, ar...e highly valued members of the Herbarium’s volunteer community. He is persistent in his work, and we thank him for his efforts, advocacy, and patience in providing such a valuable service! To find out more about volunteering with the department, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au//volunteering-with-parks-and-wi

10.01.2022 Our state is set to turn as orange as this striking dirt with the WA Government's #16DaysinWA campaign. This important campaign raises awareness for family and domestic violence against women. A number of iconic WA landmarks will light up in orange in support of the campaign, with this year's theme focusing on the promotion of equality, respectful relationships and violence-free spaces. ... For more information, visit www.communities.wa.gov.au/projects/16-days-in-wa/ Rick Dawson / DBCA

10.01.2022 Over the past 24 hours, more than 100 Parks and Wildlife Service, local volunteer fire brigades and Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA have been battling challenging weather conditions in combatting a bushfire burning in the Yeal Nature Reserve. The on-ground efforts of firefighters through direct attack and machine work has been crucial in helping to contain the bushfire and these crews have also been well supported by aerial suppression resources. A huge shout out and thanks to all the fire crews and support staff for their ongoing hard work on this bushfire. The latest information on the bushfire can be found at www.emergency.wa.gov.au

08.01.2022 Happy World Numbat Day! Commonly spotted in Dryanda Woodland, this iconic (and adorable) species is a bit different to other marsupials. Numbats are diurnal, meaning they are only active during the day. Why? Because of their termite diet! ... Numbats spend much of the day searching and digging for termites. Some have even been seen eating up to 20,000 a day - the equivalent of 10 per cent of their body weight. Photos at Dryanda Woodland by Jacqui McGhie.

06.01.2022 Mountain bike enthusiasts can soon enjoy new and improved trails at The Pines in Margaret River and at the Goat Farm in Perth Hills. Under the State Government's $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, works have commenced on 13 new trails at The Pines and 11 new trails at Goat Farm. These trails are set to provide options for riders of all levels - from beginners looking for something leisurely, to the more advanced rider chasing a challenge. ... More at www.dbca.wa.gov.au//wa-mountain-bike-trails-to-be-revamped The Pines, Margaret River

03.01.2022 A great outcome for these endangered hawksbill turtles

03.01.2022 Have you visited the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast? It’s a place of spectacular natural beauty, important cultural value to traditional owners, and it’s also an economic hub, supporting over 1000 jobs. A study has revealed that the Ningaloo Coast generated an additional $110 million to the WA economy in 2018-19, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism made up 90 per cent of economic contribution to the area, followed by commercial fishing, recreational activities, scie...ntific research and reef management. Having a clear understanding of the way the reef drives the local economy will help us guide management for the area, and work with the community, scientists, industry and traditional owners to make it more resilient to any future challenges. The study forms part of the Resilient Reefs Initiative, delivered by DBCA on the Ningaloo Coast and initiated by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO World Heritage Marine Programme, The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network, Columbia University’s Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Resilient Cities Catalyst and AECOM. The program is enabled by the BHP Foundation. To read the study and learn more about Resilient Reefs, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-a/resilient-reefs-ningaloo