Holistically, the Wild Deserts team is building an understanding of desert ecosystems and the effects of their management. This includes monitoring landscape changes between the feral-free areas where bilbies and bandicoots have been released, and the outside, where predators and rabbits remain.
The initiative and the science behind it is showcased for the public at the Talpero Lookout interpretation area, which was opened in 2022 within Sturt National Park.
Display panels highlight the desert ecology—its plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles. It also features the significance of Country for First Nations peoples and also looks at early European history within the park.
“We have deliberately developed a comprehensive set of interpretation panels which highlight our scientific approach to the reintroduction of locally extinct mammals into Sturt National Park,” Dr Pedler said.
“In particular, we concentrate on the entire ecosystem, not just on the mammals, and how these reintroductions affect the birds, the reptiles and even the soils.”
Though the project wrap ups in in 2027, Dr Pedler hopes for continued success. “Hopefully we can really build on the all the hard work that we've put into getting the place set up,” he said. “If the seasonal conditions continue, the recovery of the ecosystem that we're hoping to see will be accelerated.”
"It’s wonderful to see these animals back in their original home, prospering and restoring this desert ecosystem to some of its past magnificence.”
-Professor Richard Kingsford