Parks and Wildlife Service, Pilbara WA

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Parks and Wildlife Service, Pilbara WA

The region extends all the way to the NT/WA border. Visit the Explore Parks WA site at http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au to find out more.

The Pilbara Region's Parks and Wildlife page will feature information and discussion topics relevant to your national parks and reserves in the Pilbara. The region features a number of amazing marine and terrestrial reserves, from the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, to the Dampier Archipelago, Murujuga National Park and the Montebello Islands, inland to Millstream Chichester, Karijini and Karlamilyi national parks.

02/09/2026

𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 – 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲❗

Western Shield baiting is underway in WA’s national parks, forests and conservation areas to actively reduce the impact of feral cats and foxes on WA’s threatened native wildlife.

View maps of baited areas here: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/threat-management/invasive-animals/western-shield/western-shield-program-1080-poison-risk-areas

Stay safe by looking out for 1080 signs and always keep domestic animals out of baited areas.

Species being protected include the Gilbert’s potoroo, numbat, western ground parrot, woylie, northern quoll, black-flanked rock-wallaby and greater bilby.

30/08/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 🐟

While people around the world celebrate International Whale Shark Day, here on Nyinggulu (Ningaloo), we are celebrating gujawari, the Nyinggulu name for whale shark.

For the Nyinggulu Traditional Owners, gujawari are part of a living cultural landscape shaped by thousands of years of knowledge, story, and care for Country.

When gujawari return to Nyinggulu each year, they return to a place that has been cared for by Traditional Owners for countless generations. Today, we celebrate not only the world’s largest fish, but also the people, knowledge, and partnerships that help protect the places they call home.

To learn more about gujawari that visit Nyinggulu, please visit ➡️ https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/marine/whale-shark-management-western-australia

📷 Oashy Photo

18/08/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 🐋

Whale watching across the Pilbara is in full swing and we’re relying on the eyes and experience of the WA community.

Your reports play a vital role, and many successful disentanglements and assistance to injured whales have only been possible thanks to those who quickly reported sightings, stayed nearby and provided accurate locations for DBCA-trained responders.

🚨𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽:

📞𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆
Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055 or your local Parks and Wildlife Service office.

🚫 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
Trailing ropes are essential for safe and successful disentanglement. Cutting them can make things worse for the whale and hinder disentanglement efforts by trained experts.

👀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘆 (𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲)
If you can, keep the whale in sight until help arrives. Do not put yourself in danger and keep at least 100m away.

📏𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Stay at least 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗺 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 from the whale’s side and 𝟯𝟬𝟬𝗺 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 from its front or rear. Don’t chase or block its path — this adds stress.

📷 Oashy Photo

14/08/2026

🦎World Lizard Day! Spotlight on the Pilbara barking gecko 🦎

Did you know that more than 150 terrestrial reptile species have been recorded in the Pilbara? This makes the Pilbara the region with the highest reptile diversity in Western Australia!!

Sightings of geckos, skinks, dragons and goannas are common in backyards, camping and across national parks.

This World Lizard Day, we shine a spotlight on a noisy and unique reptile species - the Pilbara barking gecko (Underwoodisaurus seorsus). Named after its distinctive call which sounds like a short sharp bark, this lizard is only heard at night when they emerge to feed on a variety of insects and other small lizards.

The Pilbara barking gecko is endemic to the Hamersley Range and is often found in rocky hills, gorges and outcrops. They are currently under threat from climate change due to their reliance on cool, stable microclimates created by rocky topography.

Today we celebrate the Pilbara barking gecko and all other lizards that make the Pilbara special. ❤️🦎

Do you have a favourite lizard for this World Lizard Day?

📷 Pilbara barking gecko, Robert Audcent

10/08/2026

𝗘𝗫𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦 – 𝟭𝟭 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟯 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🔥

The Parks and Wildlife Service are undertaking prescribed burns in the Exmouth District between 11 and 13 August 2026 to help manage bushfire risk, protect biodiversity and support land management objectives.

The following parks are affected:

🚫 Jarralya (Giralia) National Park

🚫 Nyinggulara National Park

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼:

• Smoke may be visible in the park and surrounding areas, including Exmouth and Onslow.

• Smoke may reduce visibility on adjacent roads. Motorists should take care, turn on headlights and travel at appropriate speeds when travelling in smoke-affected areas.

• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions. Please follow all traffic management in the area.

• People with asthma and pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses should follow their pre-prepared treatment plan.

For further information about prescribed burning in the Pilbara, please contact 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝟵𝟵𝟰𝟳 𝟴𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝟵𝟭𝟴𝟮 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟬.

Details of planned burns are available on the Parks and Wildlife Service website at: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/fire/prescribed-burning/todays-burns.

Videos highlighting the extensive planning that goes into the department’s prescribed burning program can be viewed by visiting: www.dbca.wa.gov.au/prescribedburning.

📷 Prescribed burning in Jarralya National Park / DBCA

04/08/2026

Charles Knife Canyon has reopened 🌄

We're excited to announce that Charles Knife Canyon has reopened following its temporary closure due to damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Parks and Wildlife Service staff and the Shire of Exmouth have been working hard to restore access to this iconic destination.

If you're planning a visit, please take care and drive to the conditions.

⚠️ 4WD is recommended on the gravel section of the road. Ensure your vehicle is suitable for the conditions, engage 4WD if required, carry appropriate recovery equipment, and be aware of other road users.

Caravans and camper trailers are not recommended as there is limited turning.

Surface conditions can change quickly due to weather and traffic. Please slow down and drive carefully.

Cliff risk: Stay well away from cliff edges and always supervise children.

Take your rubbish with you.

🌿 Help protect the park by staying on designated roads and leaving only footprints.

Before you visit parks and reserves, check the latest Park Alerts for updates on access, track conditions and closures ➡️ https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au/

For more information 👉 https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/charles-knife-canyon

Photos: Charles Knife Canyon, Tourism WA and Charles Knife cliff risk, DBCA

02/08/2026

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🐢🔍

Congratulations to the scientists and educators behind 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆, who have been named finalists in the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀!

From the beaches of Onslow to classrooms in Roebourne, the Turtle Conservation and Communities on Country initiative has been helping local people connect with science, conservation and flatback turtles since 2017.

Now, the initiative has been named a finalist in the 2026 Premier’s Science Awards for 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 🎉

Part of the North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program, the initiative brings together scientists, educators, students and community members through hands-on turtle monitoring, school activities and community events.

By connecting people with conservation science on Country, the program has helped grow STEM literacy and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards across the Pilbara.

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄! Voting is now open for the People's Choice Award and closes on 7 September 2026.

Support this outstanding initiative and cast your vote at
➡️ www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/premiers-science-awards

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 21 September 2026.

31/07/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗔’𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 🌊💙

Today is 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆. It’s a day to celebrate WA’s marine parks and reserves, which protect some of our most scenic and biologically important ocean and coastline areas.

Did you know Western Australia is home to 𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 protecting some of the world’s most spectacular marine environments?

From colourful coral reefs and thriving marine life to culturally significant sea Country, these special places help conserve biodiversity while providing opportunities for recreation, tourism, learning, and fishing in permitted zones.

Each marine park is an important piece of a much bigger puzzle, helping protect Australia’s marine life and habitats while giving people opportunities to enjoy, appreciate and learn about WA’s spectacular marine environment.

Explore WA’s marine parks ➡️ exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/wa-marine-parks

📸 Montelbello Islands Conservation and Marine Park (DBCA); Whale shark, Ningaloo Marine Park (Tourism WA); Lalang-gaddam Marine Park (Tourism WA); Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park (Bron Anderson); Nudibranch, Ngari Capes Marine Park (DBCA); Jurien Bay Marine Park (DBCA); Shoalwater Islands Marine Park (Tourism WA); Marine life in Rowley Shoals Marine Park (DBCA); South Coast Marine Park (DBCA).

30/07/2026

𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 ! 🌳🦘🥾

Join us as we celebrate the dedication of those working to protect and care for our parks, wildlife and cultural heritage.

For this year's , we're proud to recognise Badimia Ranger Alex Little, who works with the Parks and Wildlife Service on Badimia Country at Karara Rangeland Park in the Murchison.

For Alex, caring for Country is more than a job. It's a personal connection that stretches back generations. His grandfather and great-grandfather once lived on Badimia Country, and that connection continues through the work he does today.

As a Badimia Ranger, Alex brings knowledge, respect and a strong connection to Country into his work, helping to care for the land, honour cultural sites, protect its natural values and share the importance of looking after these places for generations to come 🌱

Rangers play a vital role in keeping Country healthy, and the connection of Traditional Owners like Alex helps strengthen the way we understand, manage and care for these special places.

Thank you and Happy World Ranger Day to Alex and to all rangers around Australia and the world, for the important work you do every day!

Address

Karratha, WA
6714

Telephone

+61891822000

Website

http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

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