RESTORING LIFE ON COUNTRY: PILBARA LEADERS LOOK TO MT GIBSON FOR A BLUEPRINT
BY MARLI RYAN AND PROMOD THOMAS
A SANCTUARY SETTING NEW RECORDS
Mount Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in south Western Australia now holds the highest number of species ever restored to a single conservation site in Australia.
For Yindjibarndi leaders visiting from the Pilbara, the sanctuary offered more than a tour — it offered a glimpse of what’s possible back home.
SEEING WHAT’S BEEN LOST
During the visit, Yindjibarndi leader Michael Woodley said seeing native animals thriving in their natural habitat was both powerful and personal.
“What we saw just really blew me away… seeing animals roaming and behaving in their natural habitats,” he said.
“I have a mental picture in my mind that this is what we can do on our country.”
For Lorraine Coppin, the experience highlighted what has disappeared from communities across the Pilbara.
“When you're walking around the community now, you rarely see any native animals,” she said.
“It’s sad when we look at our grandkids and they don’t have that opportunity of seeing what we saw as kids.”
A MODEL FOR THE PILBARA
Mr Woodley said the sanctuary’s success shows what is achievable when Traditional Owners lead conservation efforts grounded in culture.
“There’s no reason why it can’t be done. Here’s a good example of how it’s being done,” he said.
He believes the Pilbara, including Gibralni Country, could support similar programs focused on breeding and reintroducing native species.
Such work, he said, would strengthen ranger programs and reconnect people with the responsibilities of caring for Ngurra — Country.
“We have to start putting our foot forward… doing the important things that are important to us and to Ngurra.”
KEEPING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AT THE CENTRE
Both leaders say bringing native species back is not only an environmental task but a cultural one.
Mr Woodley spoke about animals as “natural gardeners” — beings that shape and care for Country as part of the ecosystem.
“We need our natural gardeners to continue doing what they're doing. The land reacts to us, our language… we speak to the land and the spirit all the time.”
Their hope is that restoring wildlife can help anchor cultural identity and environmental stewardship for generations ahead.
A PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE
Ms Coppin said Mt Gibson’s work offers valuable lessons for the Pilbara and opens the door for future collaboration.
“They can teach us a lot about how we can partner back in the Pilbara… and start up a similar project.”
For both leaders, the visit confirmed what’s possible — and what’s needed — to bring native animals back to Pilbara communities.
“It’s hard to explain it until you get here,” Mr Woodley said
“It’s something I want to encourage a lot of people to come and see.”