Barrow Island - Island Life 1/6 - Go Wild

Описание: Barrow Island’s inventory of 15 land mammals, seven marine mammals, 110 species of bird and 40 reptiles makes up one of Australia’s most genetically important island populations. Many of these creatures are rare or extinct elsewhere, with Barrow their only haven. Which makes it surprising that Australia’s second biggest oil producer shares the island. Barrow Island is the story of industry and a precious island habitat sharing ground.

Harry Butler – legend of Australian natural history television – has been there since the beginning. Harry discovered Barrow Island as a young naturalist, and stayed on as environmental consultant when a licence to drill for oil was granted in the mid 1950s. Now in retirement he continues to visit the island. Each year he runs environmental awareness courses for Island workers. He encourages all staff to take an active role in the Islands maintenance, emphasising their responsibility (with the risk of dismissal) to follow Island safeguards. A number of workers have not only taken up his teachings, but established their own techniques to care for the island.

Les McClements came to Barrow island about thirteen years ago. Today he is primarily a grader driver. He is also mother to orphaned animals; resident expert in animal health and welfare, and is busy teaching other workers that you can be proud about feeding, weaning and releasing a joey, without losing your masculine credibility! Les and many of his friends are reversing stereotype notions about oilmen: “See...big oilmen do care!”, he says.

Oil company staff are the only people admitted onto the island, though the company will accommodate various other groups interested in the island’s animals and plants – past and present. Fossil experts, government rangers, zoologists, cave divers, marine scientists (and TV crews) visit the island. The infrastructure provided by the oil company – including: roads and vehicles, a laboratory, resort style accommodation, flights in and out from the mainland, and three hot meals daily – allows scientists and others to explore this remote location with relative ease.

While some observers continue to question the wisdom of ever allowing industry on one of Australia’s most important conservation reserves, the island’s range of endemic, rare and endangered species remains intact and vital.

Unlike mainland Australia, introduced animals and plants have failed to gain a foothold here and so the island reflects a time mainland Australia has lost forever. It’s continued survival and careful management is something we must safeguard or we lose a second time round – with no more chances.