Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area
Encyclopedia
Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is an Indigenous-owned 320500 hectares (1,237.5 sq mi) pastoral lease, within the MacDonnell Shire
area, 300 km south-west of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
, 135 km east from Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
(Ayers Rock), 100 km south-east of Kings Canyon/Watarrka National Park
and 40 km from Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse on the Lasseter Highway
.
It was declared and formally recognized as an Indigenous Protected Area as part of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country scheme on 10 June 2009. The property forms part of Australia's National Reserve System
.
Previous land management practices and other anthropogenic pressures damaged Angas Downs and many native species disappeared. Preferred game and important animals are less common and feral animals and weeds pose a major challenge.
Through the support of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country, Working on Country and Indigenous Protected Areas
programs, Anangu
Rangers and the Imanpa community are addressing these challenges, restoring the landscape and protecting its cultural sites. Land management is based on Kuka Kanyini
, 'looking after game animals'.
The Indigenous Protected Areas
and Working on Country Programs helps Indigenous landowners manage their lands for the protection of natural and cultural features in accordance with internationally recognised standards and guidelines for the benefit of all Australians. It provides ongoing support for work to control threats such as weeds, feral animals and wildfire.
The Working on Country Program contracts Indigenous people to help maintain, restore, protect and manage Australia's environment.
). As well as biodiversity value, it has significant Tjukurpa (Indigenous law and customary knowledge) places and sacred sites where ceremonies continue to occur.
spp.) sand dunes, Desert Oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana
) woodlands, alluvial floodplains and quartzite hills. Angas Downs has rich bird life and is home to many species of animals and reptiles many of which are important food and totems to the local Anangu
. Vulnerable listed (NT) Quandong
(Santalum acuminatum) also occurs on Angas Downs, although they struggle against camel
browsing.
Several species of native mammal including echidna
s, the Ooldea Dunnart
and Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
, Kultarr
, Euro (Eastern Wallaroo
), Red Kangaroo
, Gould's Wattled Bat
, Lesser Long-eared Bat
, Spinifex Hopping Mouse
, Sandy Inland Mouse
and Dingo
s have been recorded on the Angas Downs Pastoral Lease. Also, fresh tracks and a burrow of a Dasycercus spp. likely to be the Crest-tailed Mulgara
(Dasycercus cristicauda) were seen by Latz in July 2002. Tracks were also seen in 2009 by J. Smits (Australian Wildlife Services) and the Angas Downs Rangers.
More than 90 species of birds have been recorded on Angas Downs. Emu
, Bustard
(bush turkey), Bush Stone-curlew
appear and Mulga Parrot
, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
, Australian Ringneck
, Bourke's Parrot
and Budgerigar
are common.
Other mammals have the potential to exist on Angas Downs and may be discovered with more extensive trapping and survey work to be undertaken on Angas Downs in 2010 and the Angas Downs Indigenous Rangers. With effective management of water and sustainable harvesting of populations of native wildlife, Angas Downs could become a significant location for conservation in central Australia.
Rangers on Angas Downs are improving the environment to protect and increase important animals and plants using a combination of traditional knowledge and western science.
Frederick GG Rose visited Angas Downs during July–October 1962 and documented the people and ways of life. He took specific interest in documenting the process of change in Aboriginal culture in context with contact with white civilisation. He also reported the genealogy of the Liddle family and other Aboriginals living on Angas Downs. More information on Aboriginal histories of Angas Downs can be found in Fred Rose's Book "The wind of change in central Australia: The Aborigines at Angas Downs, 1962".
In 2009, Angas Downs was declared an Indigenous Protected Area and remains a resource for members of the Imanpa Community, some of whom grew up and worked on Angas Downs.
The property still runs 300-400 head of cattle, restricted to a 266 km2 paddock in the southeast. Tourists can join tours to Angas Downs led by members of the Imanpa community to learn about the pastoral, cultural and natural history of the property.
Challenges
As for many remote Indigenous Communities in Australia, the Imanpa Community faces significant health, employment and educational challenges. Senior men and women say most social and health problems are the result of a breakdown in the old ways and that law and culture - the Tjukurpa is being lost. Land management activities restore the station environment and also improve the self esteem and motivation of the Indigenous people by appealing to their aspiration to care for their country, and provide opportunities for training, employment and economic development. The Anangu elders, the Tjilpis and Myinkmaku, believe many social and health problems are the result of a breakdown in the old ways, and that implementation of Tjukurpa (Anangu customary knowledge) and restoring the land would help solve these problems. Piranpa (white fella science) and Tjukurpa can work together to do these things. It will make sure Tjukurpa and culture continue, and get children and grandchildren to learn about land. Looking after land is the key to Tjukurpa. Also more bush tucker means healthier food.
Anangu want to increase the amount of kuka (game animals like Emu
(Dromaius novaehollandiae) and Red Kangaroo
(Macropus rufus) and mai (plant food) like Quandong
(Santalum acuminatum)). Anangu also want to bring back species that aren’t in the land any more like Mala
and Common Brushtail Possum
.
programs, Anangu
Rangers and the Imanpa community are restoring the landscape and protecting their cultural heritage using the Kuka Kanyini
principles. The tasks are being overseen by the experienced on-site pastoral manager, Mr Tim Lander.
A plan of management was prepared by the members of the community with support from Australian Wildlife Services. It draws on traditional land management practices and sets out priorities for scientists and wildlife managers to work with Anangu
from Imanpa to increase kuka (game), control ferals and protect cultural sites and the environment.
Objectives
To manage land and wildlife resources in order to maintain Anangu culture, conserve biodiversity and enable sustainable production in support of human communities and economic development.
In greater detail, the plan sets out how to:
The plan outlines the significance of Angas Downs’ biodiversity, the importance of its conservation and its contribution to the Imanpa Community. It details environment restoration and significantly, proposes development of a wildlife sanctuary and breeding facility and a tourist facility. It restricts cattle to a 250km2 zone to protect other more fragile and significant regions of Angas Downs.
“Ara nyangaku tjungurni Anangu-ku ara (Tjukurpa / Wapar) munu piran-ku (scientific) ara wirura Malu; Kalaya; Tinka munu Tjulpu tjuta-ku ngura, palyanyku atunymankunytjaku, nganampa ngura munu mai ngaranyangka uranma”
“Mixing Anangu customary knowledge - the Tjukurpa (law) with Piranpa (non-Anangu) scientific knowledge to improve wildlife habitat, enhance landscapes, and harvest species on a sustainable basis.”
, kalaya Emu
, Ngintaka Perentie
, tinka Goanna
) and healthier landscapes. Angas Downs rangers are:
(Yellow faced whipsnake), Tiliqua multifasciata (Centralian Blue Tongue), Ramphotyphlops endoterus
(Interior Blind Snake), Pygopus nigriceps (Western Hooded Scaly-foot), Nephrurus
laevissimus, Nephrurus
levis levis, Morethia ruficauda and Egernia inornata (Desert Skink) among others were recorded. Mammals detected included Kultarr
, Wongai Ningaui
, Spinifex Hopping Mice, Sandy Inland Mice and Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
.
and traditional owners and to ecological processes. In combination with land management and control of feral animals, Anangu rangers will implement an emu breeding program to increase emus in the landscape.
In August 2010, Anangu
Rangers took delivery of 20 emu chicks from an Emu
farm in WA. They were flown into Ayers Rock airport (Uluru
) by Qantas
and driven to the Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area. After successful breeding, the emus will be released into a larger sanctuary area on Angas Downs. Angas Downs rangers also now own an egg incubator which will be used for increasing breeding success in following years. The chicks and incubator were bought with donations provided by the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin. Progress of the emu chicks can be found here.
The study was vital to understanding populations of kangaroos and pressures from camel and horse populations on the property and hence native wildlife.
Using mapping program ArcGis 9.3, observations were interpolated to form maps showing spatial variability (animals/km2) of populations across the region. Estimated average density rates of kangaroos and camels across Angas Downs was 0.91 ± 0.16 and 0.24 ±0.07 per km2 respectively. It was noted that camel populations were largely dispersed due to recent high rainfall in central Australia (as at June 2010). Spatial variability of grazing pressures was also investigated.
There is also potential for other benefactors to provide support, technical advice and training to the Anangu Rangers who are being employed to complete the work. The Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin raised funds for installation of a solar pump to feed a trough for wildlife, 20 emu chicks for breeding and an Emu egg incubator to raise emu
chicks.
MacDonnell Shire
The MacDonnell Shire is a Local Government Area of the Northern Territory, Australia. The shire covers an area of 268,784.20 km² and has a estimated population of 7,142 people.-Geography:...
area, 300 km south-west of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, 135 km east from Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is UNESCO World Heritage-listed in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located 1431 kilometres south of Darwin by road and 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs along the Stuart and Lasseter Highways...
(Ayers Rock), 100 km south-east of Kings Canyon/Watarrka National Park
Watarrka National Park
Watarrka is a national park in the Northern Territory , 1316 km south of Darwin and 323 km southwest of Alice Springs. It contains the much visited Kings Canyon at the western end of the George Gill Range and Kathleen Springs ....
and 40 km from Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse on the Lasseter Highway
Lasseter Highway
Lasseter Highway is a fully sealed 244 kilometre highway in the Northern Territory of Australia. It connects Yulara, Kata Tjuta and Uluru east to the Stuart Highway...
.
It was declared and formally recognized as an Indigenous Protected Area as part of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country scheme on 10 June 2009. The property forms part of Australia's National Reserve System
Australia's National Reserve System
Australia's National Reserve System is a network of more than 9000 Commonwealth plus state and territory protected areas which, in combination, on a national scale, are hoped to enable more than 89 million hectares unique biodiversity and most significant ecological landscapes to be protected and...
.
Previous land management practices and other anthropogenic pressures damaged Angas Downs and many native species disappeared. Preferred game and important animals are less common and feral animals and weeds pose a major challenge.
Through the support of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country, Working on Country and Indigenous Protected Areas
Indigenous Protected Areas
An Indigenous Protected Area is a class of protected area formed by agreement with Indigenous Australians, declared by Indigenous Australians, and formally recognised by the Government of Australia as being part of its National Reserve System....
programs, Anangu
Anangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
Rangers and the Imanpa community are addressing these challenges, restoring the landscape and protecting its cultural sites. Land management is based on Kuka Kanyini
Kuka Kanyini
Kuka Kanyini loosely means "looking after game animals" in the Australian Aboriginal Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara language. In some of the remotest regions of central Australia, Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara are better managing their land and wildlife resources using adaptive management...
, 'looking after game animals'.
The Indigenous Protected Areas
Indigenous Protected Areas
An Indigenous Protected Area is a class of protected area formed by agreement with Indigenous Australians, declared by Indigenous Australians, and formally recognised by the Government of Australia as being part of its National Reserve System....
and Working on Country Programs helps Indigenous landowners manage their lands for the protection of natural and cultural features in accordance with internationally recognised standards and guidelines for the benefit of all Australians. It provides ongoing support for work to control threats such as weeds, feral animals and wildfire.
The Working on Country Program contracts Indigenous people to help maintain, restore, protect and manage Australia's environment.
Significance of Angas Downs
Angas Downs is important to the Indigenous people in the region (AnanguAnangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
). As well as biodiversity value, it has significant Tjukurpa (Indigenous law and customary knowledge) places and sacred sites where ceremonies continue to occur.
Natural resources
Angas Downs has rich natural and cultural resources. There are many different types of vegetation and landscapes including Mulga woodlands (Acacia aneura), gypsum depressions, limestone plains, Spinifex (TriodiaTriodia (plant genus)
Triodia is a large genus of hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia; they are commonly known as spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. There are currently 64 recognised species...
spp.) sand dunes, Desert Oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana
Allocasuarina decaisneana
Allocasuarina decaisneana or desert oak is an attractive, medium-sized, slow-growing tree found in the dry desert regions of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. Young trees have a narrow trunk and grey/green feathery foliage. They mature to an adult form with spreading...
) woodlands, alluvial floodplains and quartzite hills. Angas Downs has rich bird life and is home to many species of animals and reptiles many of which are important food and totems to the local Anangu
Anangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
. Vulnerable listed (NT) Quandong
Quandong
Quandong, quandang or quondong, is a common name for the species Santalum acuminatum , especially its edible fruit, but may also refer to* Aceratium concinnum...
(Santalum acuminatum) also occurs on Angas Downs, although they struggle against camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
browsing.
Several species of native mammal including echidna
Echidna
Echidnas , also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. There are four extant species, which, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of that order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs...
s, the Ooldea Dunnart
Ooldea Dunnart
The Ooldea Dunnart , also called Troughton's Dunnart after the person who found the species, is an Australian marsupial similar to the Hairy-footed Dunnart. It is greyish-yellow on its upper body and white on the underside with dark patches on its crown, forehead and in front of the eyes, and a...
and Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
The Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart is a small carnivorous Australian marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is a widespread and fairly common species, being found in many desert areas of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland...
, Kultarr
Kultarr
The Kultarr , also known as the Jerboa-marsupial, the Jerboa Pouched-mouse, the Wuhl-wuhl or the Pitchi-pitchi, is a member of the Dasyuromorphia order. It is the only species in the Antechinomys genus...
, Euro (Eastern Wallaroo
Eastern Wallaroo
The Eastern Wallaroo also known as the Common Wallaroo or the Hill Wallaroo is part of the Wallaroo family . It is a large, variable species of macropod ....
), Red Kangaroo
Red Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests.-Description:This species is a very...
, Gould's Wattled Bat
Gould's Wattled Bat
Gould's Wattled Bat is a species of Australian wattled bat named after the English naturalist John Gould.-Range:C. gouldii is known throughout mainland Australia as well as Tasmania, New Caledonia, and Norfolk Island.-Appearance:C...
, Lesser Long-eared Bat
Lesser Long-eared Bat
The Lesser Long-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found only in Australia.-Classification:...
, Spinifex Hopping Mouse
Spinifex Hopping Mouse
The Spinifex Hopping Mouse , also known as the Tarkawara or Tarrkawarra, occurs throughout the central and western Australian arid zones, occupying both spinifex-covered sand flats and stabilised sand dunes, and loamy mulga and melaleuca flats.The population fluctuates greatly: in normal years it...
, Sandy Inland Mouse
Sandy Inland Mouse
The Sandy Inland Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found only in Australia.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
and Dingo
Dingo
The Australian Dingo or Warrigal is a free-roaming wild dog unique to the continent of Australia, mainly found in the outback. Its original ancestors are thought to have arrived with humans from southeast Asia thousands of years ago, when dogs were still relatively undomesticated and closer to...
s have been recorded on the Angas Downs Pastoral Lease. Also, fresh tracks and a burrow of a Dasycercus spp. likely to be the Crest-tailed Mulgara
Crest-tailed Mulgara
The Crest-tailed Mulgara also called the Ampurta is a species of carnivorous marsupial from Australia. Also called the Crest-tailed Marsupial Mouse, this animal slightly resembles a placental rat....
(Dasycercus cristicauda) were seen by Latz in July 2002. Tracks were also seen in 2009 by J. Smits (Australian Wildlife Services) and the Angas Downs Rangers.
More than 90 species of birds have been recorded on Angas Downs. Emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
, Bustard
Bustard
Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World...
(bush turkey), Bush Stone-curlew
Bush Stone-curlew
The Bush Stone-curlew or Bush Thick-knee is a large, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Australia...
appear and Mulga Parrot
Mulga Parrot
The Mulga Parrot , also known as the Many-coloured Parrot, is endemic in arid scrublands and lightly timbered grasslands in the interior of southern Australia.-Taxonomy:...
, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
The Major Mitchell's Cockatoo also known as Leadbeater's Cockatoo or Pink Cockatoo, is a medium-sized cockatoo restricted to arid and semi-arid inland areas of Australia...
, Australian Ringneck
Australian Ringneck
The Australian Ringneck is a parrot native to Australia. Except for extreme tropical and highland areas, the species has adapted to all conditions...
, Bourke's Parrot
Bourke's Parrot
The Bourke's Parrot , also known as the Bourke's Parakeet or "Bourkie", is a small parrot originating in Australia and the only species in its genus Neopsephotus...
and Budgerigar
Budgerigar
The Budgerigar , also known as Common Pet Parakeet or Shell Parakeet informally nicknamed the budgie, is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot, and the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus...
are common.
Other mammals have the potential to exist on Angas Downs and may be discovered with more extensive trapping and survey work to be undertaken on Angas Downs in 2010 and the Angas Downs Indigenous Rangers. With effective management of water and sustainable harvesting of populations of native wildlife, Angas Downs could become a significant location for conservation in central Australia.
Rangers on Angas Downs are improving the environment to protect and increase important animals and plants using a combination of traditional knowledge and western science.
History
Angas Downs Station was first taken up by William Liddle in 1927. He and his descendants, ran sheep and then cattle until the 1990s. As with many pastoral enterprises during the 1980s and 1990s, Angas Downs struggled financially and was eventually taken over by the mortgagee in 1994 before being purchased by the nearby Imanpa community. Since 1994, it has been owned by the Imanpa Development Association Inc., and managed by their company Lisanote Pty. Ltd. Descendants of William Liddle have living areas on the property.Frederick GG Rose visited Angas Downs during July–October 1962 and documented the people and ways of life. He took specific interest in documenting the process of change in Aboriginal culture in context with contact with white civilisation. He also reported the genealogy of the Liddle family and other Aboriginals living on Angas Downs. More information on Aboriginal histories of Angas Downs can be found in Fred Rose's Book "The wind of change in central Australia: The Aborigines at Angas Downs, 1962".
In 2009, Angas Downs was declared an Indigenous Protected Area and remains a resource for members of the Imanpa Community, some of whom grew up and worked on Angas Downs.
The property still runs 300-400 head of cattle, restricted to a 266 km2 paddock in the southeast. Tourists can join tours to Angas Downs led by members of the Imanpa community to learn about the pastoral, cultural and natural history of the property.
Imanpa
Residents of Imanpa include Matutjara descendents (the original occupiers of Angas Downs region), Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. The Imanpa Development Association holds the lease for Angas Downs through its company Lisanote Pty Ltd.Challenges
As for many remote Indigenous Communities in Australia, the Imanpa Community faces significant health, employment and educational challenges. Senior men and women say most social and health problems are the result of a breakdown in the old ways and that law and culture - the Tjukurpa is being lost. Land management activities restore the station environment and also improve the self esteem and motivation of the Indigenous people by appealing to their aspiration to care for their country, and provide opportunities for training, employment and economic development. The Anangu elders, the Tjilpis and Myinkmaku, believe many social and health problems are the result of a breakdown in the old ways, and that implementation of Tjukurpa (Anangu customary knowledge) and restoring the land would help solve these problems. Piranpa (white fella science) and Tjukurpa can work together to do these things. It will make sure Tjukurpa and culture continue, and get children and grandchildren to learn about land. Looking after land is the key to Tjukurpa. Also more bush tucker means healthier food.
Anangu want to increase the amount of kuka (game animals like Emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
(Dromaius novaehollandiae) and Red Kangaroo
Red Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests.-Description:This species is a very...
(Macropus rufus) and mai (plant food) like Quandong
Quandong
Quandong, quandang or quondong, is a common name for the species Santalum acuminatum , especially its edible fruit, but may also refer to* Aceratium concinnum...
(Santalum acuminatum)). Anangu also want to bring back species that aren’t in the land any more like Mala
Rufous Hare-wallaby
The rufous hare-wallaby , also known as the Mala, is a small macropod found in Australia. It was formerly widely distributed across the western half of the continent but is now confined to Bernier Island and Dorre Island Islands off Western Australia...
and Common Brushtail Possum
Common Brushtail Possum
The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...
.
Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management
Through the support of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country, Working on Country and Indigenous Protected AreasIndigenous Protected Areas
An Indigenous Protected Area is a class of protected area formed by agreement with Indigenous Australians, declared by Indigenous Australians, and formally recognised by the Government of Australia as being part of its National Reserve System....
programs, Anangu
Anangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
Rangers and the Imanpa community are restoring the landscape and protecting their cultural heritage using the Kuka Kanyini
Kuka Kanyini
Kuka Kanyini loosely means "looking after game animals" in the Australian Aboriginal Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara language. In some of the remotest regions of central Australia, Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara are better managing their land and wildlife resources using adaptive management...
principles. The tasks are being overseen by the experienced on-site pastoral manager, Mr Tim Lander.
A plan of management was prepared by the members of the community with support from Australian Wildlife Services. It draws on traditional land management practices and sets out priorities for scientists and wildlife managers to work with Anangu
Anangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
from Imanpa to increase kuka (game), control ferals and protect cultural sites and the environment.
Objectives
To manage land and wildlife resources in order to maintain Anangu culture, conserve biodiversity and enable sustainable production in support of human communities and economic development.
In greater detail, the plan sets out how to:
- increase wildlife populations and estimate hunting yields
- identify wildlife refuge areas
- restore and protect water sources
- restore patch burning practices
- control feral animals and weeds
- exchange information across the region.
The plan outlines the significance of Angas Downs’ biodiversity, the importance of its conservation and its contribution to the Imanpa Community. It details environment restoration and significantly, proposes development of a wildlife sanctuary and breeding facility and a tourist facility. It restricts cattle to a 250km2 zone to protect other more fragile and significant regions of Angas Downs.
“Ara nyangaku tjungurni Anangu-ku ara (Tjukurpa / Wapar) munu piran-ku (scientific) ara wirura Malu; Kalaya; Tinka munu Tjulpu tjuta-ku ngura, palyanyku atunymankunytjaku, nganampa ngura munu mai ngaranyangka uranma”
“Mixing Anangu customary knowledge - the Tjukurpa (law) with Piranpa (non-Anangu) scientific knowledge to improve wildlife habitat, enhance landscapes, and harvest species on a sustainable basis.”
Benefits of indigenous involvement in land management
The benefit of Indigenous Australians working in land and wildlife management is well documented. Proactive Indigenous wildlife management combined with science can support sustainable harvesting, provide employment and income, create learning and training opportunities, improve Indigenous health (through exercise and diet) and reconnect them to the land and their cultural values, installing a sense of pride. Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area aims to provide opportunities to Indigenous Australians to become involved in wildlife and land management and use their own knowledge to make decisions affecting their land.Angas Downs Anangu Rangers
Anangu Rangers employed by the Indigenous Protected Area and Working on Country program are putting in fences to keep ferals out, building a 288 square kilometres (111.2 sq mi) wildlife sanctuary area, increasing watering points and cleaning water troughs to encourage more kuka species (malu Red KangarooRed Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests.-Description:This species is a very...
, kalaya Emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
, Ngintaka Perentie
Perentie
The Perentie is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia, and fourth largest lizard on earth, after the Komodo Dragon, crocodile monitor and the water monitor...
, tinka Goanna
Goanna
Goanna is the name used to refer to any number of Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from Southeast Asia.There are around 30 species of goanna, 25 of which are found in Australia...
) and healthier landscapes. Angas Downs rangers are:
- Restoring and reactivating water sources
- Erecting feral animal exclusion fences (see Australian feral camelAustralian feral camelThousands of the two main species of Australian feral camels, mostly dromedaries but also some bactrian camels, were imported into Australia during the 19th century for transport and construction as part of the colonisation of the central and western parts of Australia. Motorised transport replaced...
) - Implementing feral animal eradication programs
- Controlling weeds and restoring native species
- Helping to increase native species, especially kuka (game) species
- Monitoring wildlife and landscapes using CybertrackerCyberTrackerCyberTracker Conservation is a South African non-profit company that develops handheld data capture solutions. Their flagship product is called CyberTracker 3 and can be downloaded free from the CyberTracker website....
- Implementing patch burning
- Documenting bush tucker, medicine plants and cultural places
- Helping to start small scale tourism on Angas Downs
- Setting up breeding and holding facilities for emus
- Fencing and fire protection for rare plants such as Xmas Tree Mulga and QuandongQuandongQuandong, quandang or quondong, is a common name for the species Santalum acuminatum , especially its edible fruit, but may also refer to* Aceratium concinnum...
.
2010 reptile surveys
In October 2010, AWS conducted reptile and small mammal surveys across Angas Down’s landscapes with the Angas Downs IPA Rangers using pitfall and funnel traps, and active searches. 31 reptile and 3 frog species were recorded. Simoselaps betholdi (Jan’s Banded Snake), Suta punctata (Little Spotted Snake), Demansia psammophisDemansia psammophis
The Yellow-faced Whip-Snake is a species of snake in the Elapidae family. A family containing many dangerous snakes. It is endemic to Australia....
(Yellow faced whipsnake), Tiliqua multifasciata (Centralian Blue Tongue), Ramphotyphlops endoterus
Ramphotyphlops endoterus
Ramphotyphlops endoterus is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family....
(Interior Blind Snake), Pygopus nigriceps (Western Hooded Scaly-foot), Nephrurus
Nephrurus
Nephrurus is a genus of eleven species of gecko, commonly known as knob-tailed geckos.They are easily distinguished by their short bodies, large heads, small legs and short, carrot-shaped tails that often end in a small knob....
laevissimus, Nephrurus
Nephrurus
Nephrurus is a genus of eleven species of gecko, commonly known as knob-tailed geckos.They are easily distinguished by their short bodies, large heads, small legs and short, carrot-shaped tails that often end in a small knob....
levis levis, Morethia ruficauda and Egernia inornata (Desert Skink) among others were recorded. Mammals detected included Kultarr
Kultarr
The Kultarr , also known as the Jerboa-marsupial, the Jerboa Pouched-mouse, the Wuhl-wuhl or the Pitchi-pitchi, is a member of the Dasyuromorphia order. It is the only species in the Antechinomys genus...
, Wongai Ningaui
Wongai Ningaui
The Wongai Ningaui , also known as the Inland Ningaui, is a small carnivorous marsupial native to Australia.-Taxonomy:...
, Spinifex Hopping Mice, Sandy Inland Mice and Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart
The Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart is a small carnivorous Australian marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is a widespread and fairly common species, being found in many desert areas of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland...
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Emu breeding on Angas Downs
Emu populations are very low on Angas Downs, as is the case in much of the Northern Territory. They are an important species to the local AnanguAnangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
and traditional owners and to ecological processes. In combination with land management and control of feral animals, Anangu rangers will implement an emu breeding program to increase emus in the landscape.
In August 2010, Anangu
Anangu
Anangu, more accurately "Aṉaŋu" or "Arnangu" is a word found in a number of eastern varieties of the Western Desert Language , an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family, spoken in the desert regions of western and central Australia. Before the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in...
Rangers took delivery of 20 emu chicks from an Emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
farm in WA. They were flown into Ayers Rock airport (Uluru
Uluru
Uluru , also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park....
) by Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
and driven to the Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area. After successful breeding, the emus will be released into a larger sanctuary area on Angas Downs. Angas Downs rangers also now own an egg incubator which will be used for increasing breeding success in following years. The chicks and incubator were bought with donations provided by the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin. Progress of the emu chicks can be found here.
Aerial surveys of Angas Downs - camels, kangaroos and feral horse populations
Aerial surveys of the Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area and surrounding lands were completed in June 2010. The survey was flown by Dr George Wilson using standard procedures for fixed-wing aircraft surveys. Indigenous observer, Brad Lander, and Jennifer Smits counted animals seen at low level and 200m on either side of the aircraft. Species targeted/observed included camels, kangaroos, horses, feral cattle, emus, euros, dingos and bustards (turkeys).The study was vital to understanding populations of kangaroos and pressures from camel and horse populations on the property and hence native wildlife.
Using mapping program ArcGis 9.3, observations were interpolated to form maps showing spatial variability (animals/km2) of populations across the region. Estimated average density rates of kangaroos and camels across Angas Downs was 0.91 ± 0.16 and 0.24 ±0.07 per km2 respectively. It was noted that camel populations were largely dispersed due to recent high rainfall in central Australia (as at June 2010). Spatial variability of grazing pressures was also investigated.
Support for Angas Downs
Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area receives funding from the Working on Country and Indigenous Protected Area programs (Caring for our Country). There is funding for up to 10 Rangers to be employed from the Imanpa community, training activities and to implement the Plan of Management. The Anangu Rangers include elders and a mixture of sexes and ages. The tasks are being overseen by the experienced on site pastoral manager, Mr Tim Lander. Scientific support is provided by Australian Wildlife Services who specialise in sustainable use of wildlife and the environment.There is also potential for other benefactors to provide support, technical advice and training to the Anangu Rangers who are being employed to complete the work. The Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin raised funds for installation of a solar pump to feed a trough for wildlife, 20 emu chicks for breeding and an Emu egg incubator to raise emu
Emu
The Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three subspecies of Emus in Australia...
chicks.
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, South Africa
Angas Downs' Indigenous Rangers were lucky to be sponsored to visit South Africa and attend the International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, South Africa in Kimberley in October 2011. The theme of the Symposium was – The business of conservation – science, livelihoods and values. Anangu Rangers benefited from an itinerary that enabled them to witness and be exposed to:- intensive wildlife management including techniques for moving wildlife on game ranches
- Indigenous guides and rangers in national parks in private game reserves
- tourism and accommodation based on conservation of wildlife and land management.