Dolphins, the western ringtail possum and phascogales have been identified as Mandurah’s most iconic wildlife, according to a new survey measuring the city’s top 15 fauna species.
The survey was created and ran through a partnership between Mandurah Environmental Volunteer Action Committee (MEVAC) and City of Mandurah staff.
The committee is a group of environmental volunteers and community members who are passionate about making positive change.
The survey asked the public through mixed-media platforms to value the iconic wildlife in the city as part of the Mandurah Wildlife Project.
Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the project was a “great example of a citizen-led project”.
“This is how we intend to work in the future, and I encourage all the community to get involved, to have your say in our new [City of Mandurah] visioning project that is going to be rolled out in the near future,” he said.
Fauna nominations went out to the community through interactive Facebook polls, newspaper articles and online surveys, in which residents also had the option of nominating species that were not included in the top 20 already listed.
There were over 1300 nominations received through Facebook.
On July 26, the MEVAC reconvened at the bi-monthly capacity building forum at the City of Mandurah Tuckey Room, and sorted through nominations.
On Facebook the number one ranked iconic species for Mandurah was the forest red tailed black cockatoo, followed by the western ringtail possum and the quenda.
Similarly on one of the online surveys they also ranked number one, with ospreys ranked number one in a second online survey.
The committee had some tough decisions to make as the leaders of the community project.
Ultimately, the committee decided on 15.
Check out the list below. They are not ranked in any order of significance, and were based off nominations from the community.
Top 15 Fauna Species for Mandurah:
- Western Ringtail Possum
- Carnaby’s Cockatoo
- Quenda
- Black Cockatoos
- Phascogale
- Osprey
- Migratory Birds and Fairy Terns
- Rakali
- Western Bearded Dragon
- Oblong Turtle
- Echidna
- Chuditch
- Microbat
- Dolphin
- Peacock Spider
Mr Williams said the top 15 were an excellent representation of all wildlife within Mandurah.
The decisions where difficult but were ultimately based on the value of the species to residents from nominations received, and their current International Union for Conservation of Nature listing.
“This was more than a beauty competition or a popularity competition,” Mr Williams said.
“There was serious community debate about the species that really need our help.”
The top 15 fauna species will become the pillars of wildlife conservation within the Mandurah region.
They are the flagship species for all fauna within Mandurah.
The committee has identified a number of ways that the community and volunteers can be engaged with these species, through organised events such as night stalks, an interactive fauna app for Mandurah, setting up wildlife cameras and more.
Importantly, the species list will also be incorporated in future management plans.
The list will also be used to identify ways to raise awareness and education around the wildlife of Mandurah.
If you are interested in helping preserve our unique wildlife and environment, or making a positive difference and joining the Mandurah Environmental Action Committee, please contact the City of Mandurah’s Environmental Services department via environmental.services@mandurah.wa.gov.au.
