My Manjimup Experience - Conservation Biology

In April 2016 two other students and I got the experience many Australians and Americans don't normally get the chance to have. South of Perth lies Manjimup, a beautiful little town, and within it the Department of Parks and Wildlife Science Research Division. I did my research within the conservation branch and had the greatest time. I spotlighted through the Greater Kingston region reserve and saw so many different species. One of the best things we did was use a strategy to collect data on the decline of the Woylie, a small kangaroo-like marsupial, species.

I was able to see first-hand the methods as well as the difficulties that comes with researching in conservation. Trapping is one method used to help understand the abundance of various species population and by far was one of my favorites. You get an up close picture of species such as Brushtail Possums, Woylies, and sometimes a Chuditch. Just seeing these creatures is really quite amazing. The joey Woylies and Chuditch, also known as the native cat, were my favorite animals to see. They were both adorable and completely different from what I'm used to. If I could I would go back to Manjimup to continue researching these endangered marsupials and try to figure out what else is contributing to their decline.

Ashley White - University of LaVerne