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Classroom to Country: Torres Strait Rangers lead local land and sea management

Deadly training: TSRA Rangers and University of Technology Sydney experts team up for training in Nowra.

Deadly training: TSRA Rangers and University of Technology Sydney experts team up for training in Nowra.

Rangers in the Torres Strait are putting training into practice to lead local environmental management activities.

This year, Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Rangers have travelled from coast to country to complete one of the nation’s best wildlife handling and survey courses with the University of Technology Sydney in Nowra, New South Wales.

The group – more familiar with marine animals and sea life – quickly learnt to handle wildlife including snakes, lizards, birds and rodents safely and humanely. Importantly, the course covered many ethical and legislative requirements for conducting wildlife surveys.

TSRA’s Mura Bhadhulgau, Mabuygiw and Mua Lagalgau Rangers led biodiversity surveys on Badu Island in June.

The Rangers used research-grade survey design and techniques connecting traditional knowledge and modern science to document native animals including birds, geckoes, skinks, goannas, snakes and frogs.

TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the activities aligned with environmental management aspirations for local rangers to access best practice training and qualifications.

“TSRA Rangers play a critical role in our custodianship and care for the unique land and sea of the Torres Strait,” Mr Stephen.

“By combining training and traditional ecological knowledge, TSRA Rangers are building a toolkit of industry-recognised training to lead future wildlife projects in our region.

“The master’s-level university course means more rangers can lead biodiversity surveys on their own islands – a significant achievement for land and sea management in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait),” he said.

TSRA Malu Kiai Ranger Arthur Gibuma on Boigu said the course was among his career highlights.

“The training was mina (very) interesting,” Mr Gibuma said.

“It’s not simple, but the training provided knowledge about how to handle animals.”

We’re proudly celebrating TSRA Rangers for World Ranger Day (31 July 2024) and beyond.

#RealStoriesRealRangers

TSRA’s Environmental Management Program – delivered by its Land and Sea Management Unit –aims to protect the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the Torres Strait region and recognise the strong and enduring connection of people to their islands and sea.

This program supports job opportunities for local people to combine traditional knowledge and Western science to care for land, sea and culture, including as rangers.

The TSRA Rangers started in 2009 with one ranger group on Mabuiag and has grown to 13 Ranger groups across 14 Torres Strait communities (13 islands) – supporting 55 ranger roles, including 18 female rangers.

About TSRA

This year, TSRA celebrates its 30th Anniversary and the resilience, achievements and aspirations of the region.

Established on 1 July 1994, TSRA is a statutory body and the lead Commonwealth agency in the Torres Strait for Indigenous Affairs, operating under the direction of an elected Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Board.

As one of the most remote Australian Public Service agencies, TSRA supports programs across the Torres Strait region, including for the 17 inhabited islands of the Torres Strait and the communities of Bamaga and Seisia in the Northern Peninsula Area of mainland Australia.

The Torres Strait stretches 150 kilometres northwards from Cape York Peninsula to Papua New Guinea. The 48,000 km² area includes more than 270 islands and reefs.