Bilbies fire green hope on James Price Point
Three rare baby bilbies are the latest addition to the “miraculous” discovery of endangered marsupials within the proposed James Price Point gas hub.
The animals were captured on camera over the weekend as part of an ongoing communitydriven study at the site.
It is the only bilby population discovered in the Kimberley in the past two years.
Concerned community members are now urging Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to intervene after evidence of marsupial habitation was found in a location designated for clearing by Woodside.
Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said he was calling on the minister to act before any of the endangered animals are killed.
After more than two years of conducting a community supported ecological study, a leading ecologist and wildlife experts confirmed evidence of bilby activity within the precinct of the proposed gas hub, after finding dozens of burrows and fresh tracks.
Last week, video footage finally captured a bilby on camera. Melbourne-based ecologist Malcolm Lindsay, who travelled to Broome to support locals with their research, including the Goolarabooloo people and Broome community said it was a “relief” to have confirmed evidence.
Mr Lindsay said prior research by Woodside environment consultants which did not identify bilby activity demonstrated there was insufficient research into the area.
Days after the discovery, the Broome Advertiser visited the site accompanied by Mr Lindsay, Malcolm Douglas Wildlife Park general manager Mark Jones, wilderness park manager Marshall Black and Valerie, widow of the late Mr Douglas.
Mr Lindsay said he estimated a male and female bilby lived in the area, and the discovery of small prints concluded babies were also nearby.
“It’s fantastic. We’ve not heard of bilbies coming from the Dampier Peninsula for the past few years,” Mr Black said.
“It’s exciting to go out there and see quite an extensive network in the vicinity.”
Mr Lindsay said the next stage was to prevent Woodside from clearing the area.
A Woodside spokesman said environmental consultants had found no populations or colonies of bilbies and would obtain further details from Environs Kimberley. “We acknowledge that bilbies are likely to be found throughout the
Dampier Peninsula,” he said.
