Funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program, Territory NRM, in partnership with Aboriginal ranger groups and Traditional Owners is working to find out more about the endangered Arnhem rock skink (Bellatorias obiri or malkkadjba).
Warddeken Rangers in west Arnhem Land have extended the known range of the rock skink from southern Kakadu National Park with sightings from camera traps deployed throughout the wet season. Kakadu and Jawoyn rangers have also been successful with camera traps and live trapping and were able to take small DNA samples from the tail tips of eight skink’s they recently captured.
The samples will be analysed to assess the genetic health of malkkadjba populations to look at their genetic diversity, and whether individuals move between areas. These insights will guide future conservation efforts and help target management where it is most needed.
