Western Shield: Guardians of the Wild

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions’ Western Shield initiative has been a bulwark against invasive predators since 1996. By targeting foxes and feral cats, the program safeguards a plethora of endangered species across a 500,000-hectare expanse stretching from the Avon Valley to the southern forests near Collie.

This sanctuary is a haven for the Malleefowl, the Brush-Tailed Phascogale, the Chuditch and the iconic Numbat, among others. The Western Shield’s vigilant protection extends to the Quenda, the Quokka, the Tammar Wallaby, the Black-flanked Rock-Wallaby, the Western Brush-Wallaby, the Western Ringtail Possum, the Woylie and various Black Cockatoo species.

Thanks to the generous support of the Alcoa Foundation, the program has expanded its efforts from 2022 onwards. Increased baiting for foxes, innovative trials for feral cat control and enhanced monitoring are just a few of the strategies employed to ensure the survival of these native species.