Introducing our new team members for GTCP 2012/13

All of us are keen to boost our research and practical experience and are excited about the scientific internships offered to us by the GTCP – thanks Gnaraloo!

Andrew Greenley, the newest and final GTCP field team member arrived at Gnaraloo on Friday, 14 December 2012! Andrew is an Aussie who completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biological Science, Conservation & Wildlife Biology and Molecular Biology, at Murdoch University during mid 2012. During this past six months, Andrew has undertaken survey work on birds, mammals and small vertebrates including Carnaby Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), woylies (Bettongia penicillata) and flatback turtles (Natator depressus), as well as continuing work at the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Lesmurdie, Western Australia (WA).

Danica Ilich (another Aussie) has previously completed a Diploma of Marine Studies and a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation (Marine Tourism) at Challenger TAFE (Fremantle, WA) and most recently a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science at Murdoch University during 2012. Dani has previously participated with shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, Triaenodon obeus and Carcharhinus melanopterus) and stingray (Pastinachus sephen and Taeinura lymma) tagging projects in Coral Bay on the Ningaloo Coast.

I (Justine Arnold) (you guessed it, also an Aussie) completed a Diploma of Seafood Industry (Aquaculture) at Central West TAFE (Geraldton, WA) and am currently in my final year of study for a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Environmental Management at Murdoch University which I will complete during 2013. I have previously worked on fish farms in Geraldton and participated with aerial surveys during migrations of whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

Everyone has settled in well at Gnaraloo with Day Surveys being undertaken by two of us in the Gnaraloo Bay Rookery while the other two team members are doing night verification surveys at the moment. In the next few days we will be busy preparing for the first survey of the season of the more remote Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar Rookery for a four day recognisance survey. We’ll keep you posted on developments there!

Nesting activity tally in the Gnaraloo Bay Rookery (02/11/2012 – 18/12/2012): Nests: 95, UNAs: 61, U Tracks: 59.

Justine