Farmers have replanted 180ha of private property with native species at Tarin Rock in the southern Wheatbelt as part of a project to conserve biodiversity in the area. Parks and Wildlife Wheatbelt Region conservation officer Marissah Kruger said the Tarin Rock Priority Landscape Project had involved more than 60 conservation projects on private property over the past 15 years. “The Tarin Rock area, which covers 45,000ha, has a wide range of landscapes and remnant vegetation, including woodland, mallee and Kwongan heath, supporting a high diversity of native animals such as malleefowl, Carnaby’s cockatoos and red-tailed phascogales,” she said. “Local landholders have recognised these natural values, and have revegetated land with native species, while excluding stock to protect existing pockets of remnant vegetation. “To date, more…

Staff from the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Albany District recently undertook whale disentanglement training at Princess Royal Harbour.   South Coast Region wildlife officer Jonathan Pridham said the two-day refresher training on 8 June and 9 June used a recently acquired artificial whale tail built by a local business to simulate rope entanglement.   “Attempting to free entangled whales is a potentially dangerous operation,” he said.   “It is important that we are able to respond to whale entanglement incidents in a safe and timely manner.   “The updated training and equipment will increase our capability to perform these rescues.”   Mr Pridham said the steady increase in whale populations has also led to increased potential for entanglements.   “If you do see an…