Western Australia by nature

Western Australia is home to six out of the seven species of marine turtles in the world. Our shores become safe havens for them to nest and lay their eggs, including along the stunning Kimberley Coast and Ningaloo Reef.  Turtle conservation is most definitely a team effort, with international partnerships, academics, scientists and passionate volunteers all playing a part in increasing our understanding of these amazing reptiles, tracking their movements and assessing the threats that face them. We speak with, Scott Whiting, a Principal Research Scientist with the Marine Science Program at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions about the work being done to protect these species and the important role Traditional Owners play.

The ‘save the bees’ movement has gained remarkable traction lately, encouraging people to think beyond the European honey bee. We talk with Dr Kit Prendergast about Australia’s 1700 species of native bees and how we can help expand bee-friendly gardens to include ground-nesting species.

Feral cats top the list of the most destructive species in Australia, costing the economy a huge $18.5 billion over the last 60 years in damage and population control measures. Today we speak with the Program Leader for Western Australia’s Invasive Animals Program, Corrin Everitt, about new technology and community-based action, backed by a nation first strategy, that are helping control feral cats to protect our precious wildlife and biodiversity.

Innovative scientists are recording sounds of Western Australia’s forests in the south-west to uncover clues about what types of species occur there and how the environment changes throughout the day. Guest host Alan Gill chats with scientist Lauren Hawkins about how her work is helping detect creatures that might otherwise hard to see.  

Dibblers are energetic bundles of grey fur that have been a favourite of Perth Zoo staff in the science team involved in breeding the small marsupials for release to the wild. The breed-for-release program has been such a success it has now closed. Harriet Mills from Perth Zoo talks about her beloved dibblers and other breed for release programs around Western Australia