Wildlife monitor funds sought

The surviving Stirling Range wildlife is slowly recovering, with monitoring and surveillance to be set up to help them thrive.

A meeting held last week between local wildlife groups and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions resulted in a consensus that wildlife had retreated to the unburnt areas of the park, where there was believed to be sufficient food.

Albany’s DBCA wildlife rehabilitator Nicole Link, who was part of the meeting, initially wanted to set up feeding stations as there were reports of surviving wildlife searching for food in the burnt zones.

However, after further observation, she said the animals were not struggling and appeared healthy.

“Feeding stations would only serve to draw them out into the open and place them in danger from predators waiting to take advantage of the lack of cover,” she said.

“Natural water sources were also undamaged so additional water is not necessary either.”

Ms Link said the current focus was on monitoring wildlife.

“It will be a collaborative effort to record observations in the park of surviving wildlife, their condition, behaviour, detect any injured wildlife that can be assisted and locate any feral predators that need to be dealt with,” she said.

“This is beyond the scope and funding of DBCA’s work, so rehabilitators will step in — with DBCA’s support — and collect evidence to confirm this is the case and remains to be so.”

Ms Link has recently set up a Facebook fundraiser to purchase cameras, SD cards, and assist rehabilitators with fuel costs.

“Night vision motion-sensor cameras will enable us to ensure the surviving animals safety, provide valuable biological and ecological information on the parks regeneration and reassurance to the public that everything that can be done is being addressed,” she said.