Wettest January on record at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary
04 Feb. 2022
Our Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the iconic Kimberley region, has experienced its wettest January on record (since we began recording in 2006). A total of 417.9mm of rainfall has saturated the sanctuary grounds over the last month, with 155.1mm recorded this week alone.
Sanctuary staff Larissa, Joe, Braden, Josh, and Ruby are currently cut off from road access due to the flooding. Thankfully, access to the airstrip is still available for supplies to be flown in, and food was delivered to the crew on Friday.
Here’s a glimpse at what life looks like for our small team stranded on the sanctuary at the moment.
B Riles/AWC
Mornington waterfalls are gushing after 417.9mm of rain fell across the sanctuary last month.
R Albury/AWC
The sanctuary grounds are soaking up the wet nicely, with native vegetation already flourishing.
R Albury/AWC
Floodwaters have covered the 85km driveway into the sanctuary, blocking road access in and out, leaving our small sanctuary team cut off.
L Potter/AWC
Thankfully, the airstrip is still accessible for food and medical supplies to be flown in.
L Potter/AWC
The junction of the Adock And Fitzroy-Martuwarra Rivers in flood.
L Potter/AWC
The Adcock River well and truly above normal levels.
L Potter/AWC
Annie Creek South Crossing.
J Guthrie/AWC
Home Creek.
R Albury/AWC
Boundary Pool.
L Potter/AWC
The downpours have set Mornington on track for a very decent wet season, with rainfall totals so far above average at 670.4mm.
L Potter/AWC
The rain is welcomed by our team of ecologists and land management officers who carry out extensive land restoration efforts and wildlife surveys year-round to restore and protect this ancient landscape.
J Porter/AWC
The local wildlife is also delighted by the rainfall. Staff have seen an increase in frogs, reptiles and snakes out enjoying the wet. Northern spadefoot toad (Notaden Melanoscaphus).
Mornington-Marion Downs Wildlife Sanctuary is a model for conservation in northern Australia, protecting nearly 6,000 square kilometres of the iconic Kimberley region. Our science-informed conservation programs at Mornington include:
The largest non-government fire management program in Australia.
One of the largest feral herbivore-free areas in Australia, within which threatened small mammal populations have increased significantly.
The most extensive feral cat research program ever conducted.
Ongoing scientific research and surveys to measure indicators of ecological health.
By donating to AWC, you can support largescale conservation work to help protect native wildlife