Indigenous Aussies from Bundjalung Country on the east coast of Australia have led the selection of culturally significant species that they consider priorities for collaborative management. The Bundjalung-led process identified eight species including the koala, goanna, platypus, echidna, and wedge-tailed eagle as key culturally significant species. They also identified threats to these species including lack of cultural burns, the impacts of infrastructure and agriculture on Country, invasive species and climate change. Of the eight species identified as priorities, only the koala has an active National Recovery Plan, which the authors say offers Bundjalung an avenue for collaborative management. The researchers say this approach allowed culturally appropriate and safe decision-making and could serve as a template for other groups.
How Indigenous-led management could help care for the koala and other culturally significant species
