Central Land Council

Rare desert skink find good start for IPA

Long, hot days this summer didn’t stop the Kaltukatjara Rangers and traditional owners getting out and about on country where they discovered a new colony of the endangered tjakura (Great Desert Skink).

No scientific records existed for tjakura in this area, but people could remember seeing them in the past.

The area is said to be ideal tjakura habitat, with plenty of spinifex and mulga of different ages since the last burn.

The discovery came as the traditional owners were out on a planning trip for a proposed Indigenous Protected Area with the CLC and government representatives.

They also found some old ninu (Greater Bilby) burrows and some evidence of the wayurta (Brushtail possum) in a large rock overhang.

These trips are part of the feasibility planning for the IPA and these discoveries are just some of the rare plants and animals which exist in the area.

The proposed IPA boundary extends around the Katiti and Petermann Aboriginal Land Trusts which are rich in biodiversity and cultural importance.

The IPA will give regional conservation efforts a boost as the proposed boundary completely surrounds Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and butts on to the Watarrka National Park and the Ngaanyatjarra IPA on the West Australian border.

The Katiti-Petermann IPA proposal is also bounded to the south by areas of APY land currently undergoing IPA feasibility planning. An IPA was declared over a large area around Lajamanu last year.

Indigenous Protected Areas attract government funding for groups such as rangers to look after country.