As 2024 comes to a close, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) reflects on a year of remarkable achievements, made possible by your unwavering support. Despite the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, we have made significant strides in safeguarding Australia's wildlife and ecosystems.
From expanding large-scale rewilding projects and conducting vital Ecohealth surveys, to the return of species like the Brushtail Possum and the first births of Western Quolls in the Western Australian wheatbelt, this year has been a testament to the power of resilience and innovation.
Our pioneering use of AI and IoT technologies has further enhanced our conservation efforts, and each milestone has reinforced our commitment to a sustainable future for Australia's unique landscapes and wildlife.
As we continue to scale up our efforts, from sanctuary expansions to advanced 3D mapping for ecosystem recovery, we remain focused on preserving biodiversity for future generations.
None of this would be possible without your incredible support. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey, helping us create a lasting impact on Australia's natural heritage.
AWC continued to lead the charge in conserving Australia's unique biodiversity throughout 2024. This year saw remarkable scientific discoveries, innovative conservation techniques, and expanded efforts to protect endangered species and habitats. Here's a glimpse into some of the most significant achievements and initiatives over the last twelve months.
Harnessing AI for Conservation
AWC embraced artificial intelligence in multiple groundbreaking projects:
- AI-Supported Wildlife Recognisers: With federal funding, AWC deployed cutting-edge AI tools to identify and monitor species, improving efficiency in tracking wildlife populations.
- AI Eavesdropping: Bioacoustic technology powered by AI helped detect endangered Pink Cockatoos, offering new insights into their vocal behaviour and habitats.
- IoT and conservation monitoring: AWC's IT team has streamlined a series of labour-intensive manual processes with specialised remote sensors, revolutionising conservation monitoring on a landscape-size scale.
- 3D Mapping for Post-Flood Recovery: Advanced 3D modelling will guide the rebuilding of sanctuaries impacted by severe floods earlier in the year.
Brad Leue/AWC Celebrating 30 Years of Success
2024 marked 30 years of wildlife translocations, a cornerstone of AWC's strategy. From the Brushtail Possum to the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, these translocations have re-established populations of threatened species in secure habitats.
- Possums at Newhaven: Endangered Brushtail Possums made a significant return to central Australia, restoring balance to this ecosystem.
- Milestone for Mt Gibson: Threatened Chuditch (Western Quoll) were released at the sanctuary, marking the last planned translocation in a decade-long project.
- Endangered wallabies hop into Scotia: a delicate mission to fly the once believed-to-be extinct Bridled Nailtail Wallaby to NSW to improve genetic diversity.
Andy Howe/AWC Expanding Frontiers in Research and Discovery
Collaborating with partners and researchers AWC continued to study and record the natural environment across the country.
- Mulyamiji March: Partnering with Indigenous communities, AWC advanced conservation in the Australian desert, integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques to look for the Great Desert Skink.
- Innovative wildlife 'homes': Camera and trap-shy mammals are coming out of their shells, or hollows, to explore biodegradable pyramid habitat units.
- Tanami Toadlet: For the first time ever, researchers recorded the call of this elusive desert-dwelling frog, revealing vital data about its habitat.
- Seeking out scat: AWC ecologists have been busy trialling a new technique to monitor Sharman's Rock-wallabies using DNA in their scat.
- Waulinbakh growing species list: Biodiversity surveys confirmed an astounding array of native animals and plants, including threatened species, on the property.
- Endangered hairs: AWC ecologists at and researchers from the University of Adelaide collected scat and hair samples from the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat population at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge.
Jake Barker/AWC Wildlife moments
The year proved to be one for the record books, with a baby boom and rare glimpses into the wonder that is our natural history.
- Western Quolls at Mt Gibson: Four vulnerable western quolls were born in the sanctuary, marking a triumph in recovery efforts.
- Rare Blue Frog: A mutation turning a frog bright blue highlighted the wonders of Australia's wildlife diversity.
- Baby Wombat Footage: Rare footage of a young, critically endangered wombat offered a hopeful glimpse into the species' future.
- Wet season wildlife boom: Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, on Ngalia-Warlpiri and Luritja Country in Central Australia, was overflowing with new life after receiving almost a year's worth of rain in just a few days.
Dr Bryony Palmer/AWC Adapting to Climate Change
AWC responded to shifting climates, tailoring strategies to mitigate impacts on vulnerable species and ecosystems.
- Witnessing climate change in action: AWC staff are witnessing an event not seen in over ten years - the mass die-off of vegetation across the over 1,900-hectare Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Climate change and Australia's wildlife: AWC is approaching the challenge of trying to understand how species may respond to climate change through research on one of the species most vulnerable to climate change, the Numbat.
Elly Gearing/AWC New beginnings
By combining cutting-edge science with community partnerships, AWC remains a beacon of hope for the future of Australian biodiversity.
- Partnering in conservation: Threatened native animals which have long been missing from the grassy hills around Canberra are set to thrive once more, under a new agreement to restore the family-owned Wandiyali~Environa Wildlife Sanctuary.
As we celebrate the achievements of the past year, we also look ahead with optimism and determination. Together, we are building a future where Australia's diverse ecosystems thrive, and its iconic wildlife continues to inspire generations.
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Conservation begins with you.
