16 July 2024

The search is on across Australia’s deserts for a culturally important vulnerable lizard: the tjakuṟa.

So begins our story in the latest edition of the Australian Geographic magazine. 

The 5-page spread celebrates the work Indigenous rangers are doing across the desert to look after endangered tjakuṟa, or great desert skink.

It’s all part of the hub’s ‘Contributing to the recovery of threatened species and priority places‘ project. This project is led by Dr Rachel Paltridge from the Indigenous Desert Alliance. It focuses on three desert animals: the ninu (bilby), the night parrot, and tjakuṟa.

Tjakuṟa are vulnerable to extinction. But they are also thriving where Indigenous rangers are looking after Country – controlling feral cats and re-establishing traditional fire regimes.

“They [the old people] have been looking after all these tjakura for a long time,” says Cedric Thompson, a Mutitjulu Community Mala Ranger (Anangu rangers who care for Country in Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP). “That’s why it’s for us mob to look after them now.”

In March, our Communications Manager, Kate Cranney, joined the launch of Mulyamiji March. It was held at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: a stronghold for the lizard.

The days were hot, with temperatures up to 41°C. But spirits were high.

This is the second time Indigenous rangers, scientists, Parks Australia Rangers, and school kids from near and far have joined together to search for tjakuṟa.

So what did we find?

Buy the magazine from your newsagent, or read the story online to find out!

Indigenous rangers, Traditional Owners and scientists search for tjakura burrows in the shadow of Uluru. Image credit: Kate Cranney