Gnaraloo delivers the goods.
The far-flung nature of the Loggerhead’s nesting
beaches is a basic hindrance to the implementation
of any universal, coordinated conservation program.
There are a number of local and regional organisa-
tions dedicated to the conservation of marine
turtles, and these typically rely heavily upon volun-
teers to identify and protect - or in some instances
relocate - nests, and to collect data and assist in
other studies. Hatchlings may be assisted or raised
for some time in special facilities. The importance of
these activities cannot be underestimated, as the
IUCN now believes that the Loggerhead’s continued
survival is dependent largely on conservation
efforts.
Gnaraloo Station is situated on the coast of Western
Australia, about 1,100km north of Perth. It abuts
65km of coastline at the southern tip of the Ningaloo
Reef that has attracted World Heritage status from
both the IUCN and UNESCO, and is recognised as
a National Heritage area. Adjacent to remote
beaches in the Ningaloo Marine Park that constitute
important nesting sites for Loggerhead Turtles,
Gnaraloo also contains unique endemic flora and
fauna, and borders an important wetland that hosts
over 20 species of migratory birds, with rare subter-
ranean fauna that inhabits a labyrinth of caves and
caverns.
Yet despite being accepted as a biodiversity
‘hotspot’ and being accorded a ‘high status of
protection’ by the Western Australian Planning
Commission, this important landscape has never-
theless recently been threatened by development at
one of the key Loggerhead nesting beaches. The
Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation was established
with the intention of preserving these precious
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