Arafura Swamp Rangers

26/08/2026

Our Rangers work hard to protect Country from different threats, including Avian Influenza (bird flu), buffaloes, pigs and invasive w**ds such Mimosa w**d (Mimosa pigra).

Read what some of our Rangers say about the different work we do.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/indigenous-rangers-concerned-h5n1-bird-flu-risk-in-remote-nt/107074886?fbclid=Iwb21leAT7TjVjbGNrBPtOLnBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeY8SBDmCR92M5HzN2cgcJODgMBdJu0tBuJiC9SHwIIG-YJPE8AlHQK2lxMNs_aem_Az8Smacd50uYPryJ3CnzVw

Indigenous ranger groups are calling for more money to help them protect vulnerable bird and animal species from the threat of H5N1 bird flu.

16/06/2026

Senior Ranger, Mali Djarrbal spoke to ABC Darwin about Gebang Palms (Corypha utan) on 4 June 26. Mali explained these impressive plants are of great significance to the Arafura Swamp Rangers.
Did you know?
- the Australian population of Gebang Palms is confined to the tropical wetlands of the Arafura Swamp in Arnhem Land and also in Cape York.
- the trees are monocarpic, meaning they only flower once, and will die soon after dropping their fruit.
- although not formally recognised as a threatened species in the NT, Rangers are concerned local numbers are declining.
You can hear Mali's interview here:
https://app.mediaportal.com/isentia/ #/playnow/v2?id=R00133803472&channel=ABC%20Radio%20Darwin%20&location=Australia&date=2026-06-04T07:21:58&program=Breakfast&item_id=1353062129&prospect_id=3668853729&is_video=false&keywords=Bush%20Heritage&expiry=1812093718&signature=xRrCuypZr8Xtcnpw0~mBh4xyzTK-eeXL3jTSnm37KZZWtTng-xtAewD9mDoh6~2w0DZUmzRSq~OJeZzWEX5gwgTD58DpbtfA9Qhhbk~KKTjXZ6TysOhmd3MTwrTVfVjX0h4Ii1EKOhS5NvWqhDeuNBixmEu4UQPYfqvhyGR44AZ5s2YVDjkzEkON1UuX7ix--h5ShC3xJ-XGQnGzpz00tPnEJEj8B0K3WY929OEb294qTEBOhchQgsZRIXCM3NWT~RkZKqsp55S5ivhsfblx7N2G5PHA18Ebz50403ysho9dKPwKNspPvGQn0wCqM3sYmPS38uWHesrHe9l~ntuwDQ__

09/06/2026

Another busy week of asset protection burning. It's hot, dusty and smokey work but our Rangers are working hard to protect infrastructure around Ramingining and homelands in our IPA.

04/06/2026

Its been a busy week with Ranger teams out burning protection lines around community and homelands.
The Rangers work hard ahead of fire season to make sure infrastructure is protected.

04/06/2026

Shining a spotlight on Ranger Derek and the work our Rangers do to protect Australia from Avian Influenza/Bird Flu.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HzEniTqpg/

Meet Derek, Team Leader for the Southeast Arafura Rangers at Donydji and Dhupuwamirri in Northeast Arnhem Land. As Australia prepares for the risk of H5 bird flu, rangers like Derek help protect birds and Country.

“I am from Dhupuwamirri homeland in Northeast Arnhem Land. My totems are the wäk (crow) and the birrkpirrk (plover). My mother’s totem is the gurrumatji (magpie goose). I have a responsibility to care for these birds, because they are in my songlines.”

“Our people have a strong connection to all animals and birds – they are part of our culture, our songlines and our kinship system. If our birds are sick, we will get a really bad feeling.”

Derek and his team regularly monitor Country and collect samples to check that birds remain healthy.

“Keeping our Country healthy is very important. If some birds get sick, more birds could get sick. Everyone should keep an eye on Country to make sure it’s healthy, not just rangers.”

03/06/2026

The Rangers have been busy with asset protection burning ahead of fire season.

03/06/2026

Job opportunity available at ASRAC in Ramingining:

https://nrmjobs.com.au/jobs/2026/20029162/ranger-coordinator?fb=1&fbgi=1532162730697379&fbclid=IwdGRjcASMeB1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6UOIN3ky3MbBSDOXy-zNpd_8Qi3S6EWMGrA8Hi0P5Xb2n9YAysSQfQ9lcwvQ_aem_1I_WrEzwLSeUDKsiE12k7Q

Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation (ASRAC) - Ramingining, Arnhem Land, NT

28/05/2026

The Rangers have been busy this week with asset protection burning. This hard work by our Rangers ensures infrastructure such as communications towers, water bores and houses in the Arafura Swamp Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) are protected from damage throughout fire season.

26/05/2026

24/05/2026

ASRAC Rangers have been broadening their skills with media training. While filming a story about bush yams with Senior Ranger Mali Djarrbal, Rangers learned:
- how to plan their project,
- how to operate video and audio recording equipment,
- how to frame and capture their shots, and
- how to edit their footage.
Our Rangers hold so much knowledge about country, seasons, plants and animals, bush tucker and traditional practices and Rangers were keen to learn new ways to capture and share their stories.
Special thanks to Dev Hasan for travelling from Adelaide to Ramingining to deliver this fantastic training. Thanks also to Sara and Brittany from Bush Heritage Australia for their ongoing support to the ASRAC Rangers.