By Lidia Colejo Durán, a PhD candidate at Université de Sherbrooke

Introduction

During my recent visit to Western Australia, where I was invited as a speaker for a seminar at Curtin University in Perth, I had the remarkable opportunity to explore the state. While there is so much about the region that I could talk about, something that stood out to me was the diverse wildlife. One particularly memorable excursion took me to Shark Bay, a World Heritage Site located in the Gascoyne region; it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse marine life, and unique ecological features.  Here, I encountered fascinating creatures and gained insights into their behavior and significance in the Australian ecosystem. In this article, I share my encounters with dolphins, emus, and kangaroos, highlighting their unique characteristics and the challenges that they face in the wild.

Dolphins in Monkey Mia

One of the highlights of my trip was observing the dolphins in Monkey Mia, a popular tourist destination with clear turquoise waters, where ongoing research has enhanced our understanding of their intelligence and social dynamics. These majestic creatures, with their playful antics and captivating displays, mesmerized me instantly. I even had the privilege of witnessing a newborn individual, one that  was barely the size of a cat. This was all lovely; however, it was disheartening to learn about the dangers they encounter, particularly from shark attacks, only exacerbated by human activities such as fishing and boating. Despite the locals’ best efforts to protect them by encouraging volunteers to patrol the area,  some visitors disregard guidelines, endangering both the dolphins and themselves. This serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of responsible tourism and conservation efforts to safeguard these iconic marine mammals.

Emus in Monkey Mia

During our excursion, we camped for a few nights at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. Here, we encountered emus, whose prehistoric-like appearance and distinctive calls left a lasting impression. These flightless birds are not only fascinating to observe but also play a crucial role in seed dispersal within their habitat. However, once again, they are not without their challenges. Their curious nature often leads to them scavenging for food in campsites and picnic areas, giving them the reputation of opportunistic thieves. We experienced this firsthand when an individual took advantage of our distraction during a minor car accident to steal some of our food. While their behaviors may amuse tourists, it is essential to minimize human-wildlife conflicts by properly securing food and waste.

Kangaroos in Margaret River

No visit to Australia is complete without encountering kangaroos, the symbols of the country’s unique fauna. While these marsupials are celebrated, they also face a variety of threats, including habitat loss and vehicle collisions. This has prompted the people of Australia to reinforce their cars with bull bars and adapt their driving habits by avoiding long drives around sunrise and sunset. Kangaroos are also commonly hunted for their meat and hides, highlighting the complex relationship between humans and wildlife. Despite these challenges, kangaroos thrive both in the wild and in captivity, where they serve as ambassadors for their species, educating visitors about the importance of conservation and biodiversity.

Conclusion

My journey through Western Australia offered a glimpse into the incredible diversity of Australian fauna, from the playful dolphins of Monkey Mia to the quirky emus and emblematic kangaroos. While each species faces its own set of challenges, their presence enriches the natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the region. As visitors, it is our responsibility to appreciate and protect these magnificent creatures for future generations to enjoy. By fostering a deeper understanding of their importance, we can work towards ensuring that Australia’s unique wildlife continues to thrive in the years to come.

About the author: Lidia Colejo Durán is a PhD candidate at Université de Sherbrooke (UdS), where her research focuses on the carry-over effects in the preindustrial human population of Québec. Specifically, her thesis explores the impact of early life environmental factors on fitness, as well as the effects of delayed motherhood and short interbirth intervals on offspring survival. In addition to her academic pursuits, Lidia serves as the Director of Science Communication at RECSUS, the graduate student association of the Faculty of Sciences at UdS.

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Email: Lidia.colejo.duran[at]usherbrooke.ca