World Wildlife Day
Each year on March 3rd, World Wildlife Day draws attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species of wild flora and fauna. We all know the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions to human well-being; ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and this year’s theme “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration” aims to drive discussions towards imagining and implementing solutions to conserve them.
Positive impact is recognised as a fundamental part of the luxury and privilege of travel and increasingly, guests seek ways to actively contribute to environmental preservation and regeneration as part of their experience.
Getting involved
Since 2009 Wild Bush Luxury’s dedicated team has transformed Arkaba Station in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges of South Australia from an ecologically-degraded sheep station into a 60,000-acre thriving private wildlife conservancy. In the space of just twelve years, they are seeing the results of feral management programs and de-stocking: the return of bird and mammal species to Arkaba Conservancy; a general increase in existing wildlife populations; a revival of natural springs; and regrowth in River Red gums to name a few. There are abundant opportunities for guests to get involved in wildlife projects, in fact this is fundamentally part of Arkaba’s ethos. At least two percent of the all-inclusive experience at Arkaba goes back into wildlife conservation projects through the Conservation Levy. This levy does not increase the price of the Wild Bush Luxury experience, instead it guarantees that a minimum amount from a stay at the Homestead goes towards initiatives that contribute directly to protecting Australia’s biodiversity, such as funding ecologists to conduct vegetation and mammal surveys.
The Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby is a beautifully decorated marsupial mammal found in the rocky outcrops of the Ikara- Flinders Ranges. Threatened to the point of near extinction after competing with feral herbivores for vegetation, water and habitat, there is now a population of approximately 2,000 animals in South Australia. Threat abatement programs that remove feral foxes and feral cats play an important role in conserving this species in the central Flinders Ranges. Encouragingly, the chances of spotting any of the kangaroo and wallaroo species is high and as easy as sitting on the pool deck overlooking the Arkaba creek, which provides shade to many species. Mallee thickets on the outer edge of Wilpena Pound is a good spot for Brush-tailed possums and Western Quolls (Australia’s largest endemic mammalian carnivore) – native species successfully re-introduced to the area for the first time in decades.
Guests can gain insight into what’s involved in restoring Arkaba’s natural habitat and protecting rare and endangered species through their immersive, hands-on conservation activities like setting up trip cameras, tracking a radio-collared feral cat, looking for signs of vegetation critical to endangered animals, or joining a biologist on land surveys.
By eradicating invasive non-native plants and arresting soil erosion, Arkaba has successfully recovered extremely long-lived species such a Bullock Bush, Narrow-leafed Emu Bush, Oswald’s Wattle and Leafless Cherry at monitoring sites and more broadly across the property. These continued habitat rehabilitation efforts have positively revived other native species such as Shrubby Riceflower, Elegant Wattle, Mealy Saltbush and Bitter Saltbush, evidence that the country can recover from prolonged grazing impacts and the land has the ability to ‘re-wild’.
Ecological surveys conducted throughout the varying habitats on Arkaba have shown that the ongoing control of feral animals over 10 years has removed 3441 goats, 364 foxes, 383 feral cats and has helped 5610306 native animals to live and thrive on the land.
“Our ultimate mission is to conserve our natural habitat and this guides everything that we do. Our future is inextricably linked with the health of our environment” – Charles Carlow, Founder.
To learn more about Arkaba’s conservation efforts, visit.
Wildlife corridors
As former grazing property, the Blue Mountains landscape was subject to significant clearing of native vegetation and erosion of the waterways which run through the property. One of the main objectives of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley’s conservation work is to protect native wildlife by restoring their natural habitat with a focus on the revegetation of wildlife corridors and stream bank areas. To further support this objective, the lodge works constantly to control invasive plants, introduced pests and feral predators, and to improve the aquatic habitat of the ponds, dams and waterways on the property. Over 200,000 native plants have been established across the property since opening, using seeds collected onsite by both guests and colleagues, which are then propagated at a local nursery. Planting projects to date have focused on the streamside revegetation of Carne Creek and Wolgan River and restoration of important wildlife corridors across the reserve. Several areas now represent significant fragments of Grassy Box Gum Woodland as well as Chain of Ponds wetland, enabling the establishment of wildlife corridors. This has resulted in an increase in native birds (under 100 in 2007 to over 150 in 2017) and the return of threatened species including Powerful Owl, Diamond Firetail Finch, Brown Treecreeper, Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Glossy Black Cockatoo and Dusky Woodswallow.
Guests are encouraged to become involved in the resort’s initiatives through the scheduled Conservation Experience, this activity enables guests to make a ‘hands on’ contribution to the restoration and protection of the reserve by working alongside the resort’s Field Guides in diverse projects, including seed collection, habitat reconstruction, landcare, animal surveys, habitat mapping, water testing and tree planting. These themes are reinforced through an innovative children’s program, Wolgan Rangers, which aims to inspire a love of nature and lifelong commitment to sustainability in the resort’s younger guests.
To learn more about Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley’s conservation efforts, visit.
Helping save the Tasmanian Devil
One of Saffire Freycinet’s most significant sustainability initiatives is the establishment of an on-site, one-hectare, free-range enclosure that provides sanctuary – and a ‘luxury retirement home’ – for endangered Tasmanian Devils. Tasmanian Devils are the world’s largest marsupial carnivore and are found only in Tasmania. They are now on the IUCN Red List of endangered species due to a rare form of contagious cancer (Devil Facial Tumour Disease) that has decimated the population and resulted in devil sightings dropping by 95 per cent in the north-east of Tasmania, where Saffire Freycinet is located.
The funding Saffire raises has helped maintain a captive breeding program in Hobart; the reintroduction of over 100 healthy devils into the wild; field research and sampling; and the international publication of immunology research. The onsite devil enclosure also enables guests the rare opportunity to see Tasmanian devils in a natural setting, with guided tours and daily feeding. Saffire guests are invited to ‘adopt a devil’, and to receive quarterly updates on the devil’s health, as well as news of the advances in research that will ensure their ongoing survival.
To learn more about Saffire Freycinet’s conservation efforts, visit.
Nature refuge
Spicers Peak Lodge dedicates 6000 of their 8000 acres to Nature Refuge, providing habitat protection for Australian native wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, platypus, kookaburras and wedge-tailed eagles as well as rare and endangered species, including glossy black cockatoos. It’s a diverse series of eco-systems, from grassy woodlands through to temperate rainforest, fringing the Main Range National Park and the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area.
The Safe Haven Project is designed to create a pathway for native, valuable and endangered species that are found within Spicers Peak Station and beyond the surrounding fencing. To allow safe passage on and off the property Spicers Peak Lodge use conservation fencing specifically designed with no barbed wire on top and bottom of the fence which prevents injury to wildlife. This project aims to promote breeding as well as tolerance to the changing landscape around national parks and refuges.
Ultimately, Spicers Peak Lodges’ goal is to manage all land with sustainability and conservation being front of mind, to make sure the endangered, threatened and vulnerable species that inhabit the various areas have the greatest chance of survival.
To learn more about Spicers Peak Lodges’ conservation efforts, visit.
Taking a deeper dive
Lizard Island is located on the Great Barrier Reef surrounded by world renowned dive sites, such as the Cod Hole on the northern tip of Ribbon reef no.10. Here, guests can find grey reef sharks, schooling sweetlips and an abundance of tropical reef fish and interact with the resident potato cod – these unique animals reach two metres long and weigh approximately 100 kilograms.
Off the shoreline at Casuarina Beach, Green Sea turtles inhabit the surrounding waters, while on land, the terrestrial wildlife is abundant too. Lizard island was named due to the abundance of 11 species of lizards; geckos and skinks and the most conspicuous being the Yellow-spotted monitor – Varanus panoptes. More than 40 species of land and sea birds inhabit Lizard Island National Park including the beautifully coloured Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis and Rainbow Bee-eaters Merops ornatus and large birds of prey such as White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster and Osprey Pandion cristatus.
Guests can experience the natural island wonders on a guided interpretive walk or view marine and terrestrial presentations, scheduled throughout the week, with the resident naturalist. Tours to the Lizard Island Research Station are conducted twice a week for all Lizard Island guests. The facility is managed by the Australian Museum, and is dedicated to supporting the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the Great Barrier Reef.
To learn more about Lizard Island’s conservation efforts, visit.
First-hand experience of the reef’s wonders
“The best way to truly understand why the Barrier Reef needs protecting is to experience it first-hand. Guests have numerous opportunities to explore the island, nearby beaches such as Whitehaven – dubbed the world’s most beautiful beach – and some of the 3000 coral reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef” says Scott Ratcliffe, General Manager of qualia.
There are over a dozen marked walking trails on the island and a variety of snorkelling, glass bottom boat and SCUBA diving trips are on offer, where guests can learn from expert guides about the area’s extraordinary biodiversity and the challenges it faces environmentally.
Various marine operators in the area operate a program known as Eye on the Reef. This is a program that incorporates surveys and monitoring by everyday people including Hamilton Island and qualia guests. Daily information gathered through this program, informs the conservation efforts of GBRMPA (the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority).
To learn more about qualia’s business with purpose initiatives, visit.
Getting on board
Biologists on the True North are always collecting data that might assist with species and habitat management. The ship’s biologist Chris Mirbach recently captured images of Orcas in the Bremer Canyon which will be made available to researchers at Curtin University who are compiling important identification data and a photo catalogue.
To learn more about True North’s business with purpose initiatives, visit.
The World Wildlife Day 2022 Virtual Global Event will be held online, and will seek to bring together representatives of UN member States, UN System organizations and multilateral environmental agreements, civil society, and the private sector for a series of discussions along the theme of “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”.
