During October, Wingina camp hosted 4 staff from the Department of Biodiversity
Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) who were in the area working on a unique
conservation project. ‘Return to 1616’ is a restoration project on Dirk Harthog Island, the site
where Europeans first landed on Western Australian soil in 1616. 

In 2009, it was gazetted a national park and by 2018 was declared free of sheep, goats and
feral cats, making way for the project to establish populations of 13 native animal species on
the island. Earlier this year, around 100 Brush-Tail Mulgara were collected from the Wiluna
area and flown directly to the island. Now DBCA is on the search for an additional 20-30
Pilbara Mulgara to improve the genetic diversity of the new island population. With Indee
Station being a known site, the group spent several days exploring and assessing habitat,
installing camera monitors and trapping. 

The results revealed the capture of several native rodent species in the traps, but
unfortunately, none of the desired Brush-Tailed Mulgara species were found. The findings
obtained during the trip will prove to be beneficial for their project, and they might consider
revisiting for another try when the weather is more favourable.