Feral animal control is very important in the fight to protect and preserve our unique native flora and fauna. 

Our native plants and animals adapted to life on an isolated continent over millions of years. The last 200 years of European settlement has seen the introduction of over 130 species of animal that has been introduced to Australia. Through this introduction our native wildlife had to compete for habitat, food and shelter.  This also brought new predators and new diseases.  The new pressures not only affected native wildlife but also caused a major impact on our country's soil, waterways and native plants.

The most significant feral animals are the European rabbit, European fox, feral cat, feral goat, feral pig and cane toad. 

In Northern Australia the Australian Wildlife Conservancy research has found that 2 million mammals each day are killed by feral cats alone!  

With the assistance of the SA National Parks supported 'Operation Bounceback' and our own feral animal control efforts at Arkaba, 504 goats, 43 foxes and 7 cats have been destroyed.  

As a result our guides at Arkaba Station have seen a marked increase in the number of Quails and other ground nesting birds as well as nocturnal species that spend time on the ground foraging food including Owlet Nightjars, Southern Boobook, Tawny Frogmouth and more.   There has also been an increase in the sightings of some parrot species including red rump, mulga parrot and the elegant parrot.  

Below is a photo of a 6.1kg feral cat that was recently trapped on Arkaba.  The stomach content analysis shows the remains of a beared dragon lizard the cat had eaten.      

American family Pam, John and daughter Amber booked a half day fishing charter aboard the Sal Salis fishing boat 'Sal Canis' and along with charter guides, Murray Pattison and Jimmy Braund, they headed out on the 'West Side' along Ningaloo Reef.  "It was a beautiful day with not much swell or wind and we could see for miles.  We found some striped tuna surface feeding on a shoal of really small larval baitfish, so small in-fact that they were see-through", said Murray.  This meant that the tuna were really hard to catch because we did not have any lures small enough and also able to cast.  After some persistent casting, John finally hooked into a medium size tuna that gave him a fairly decent run for his money. 

Murray decided on a change of tactics and location and headed out just past the south passage in the hope of finding some Spanish mackerel.  We put out two Halco deep divers while Jimmy rigged one of his famous gar fish and we were set to go.  The lines had not been in the water long when that beautiful sound of a screaming drag got everyone back on their feet!  Unfortunately we lost this fish so the lines were put back out and we returned to the waiting game.  Soon after that the second of the deep-divers got absolutely smashed and the line was peeling out at a rapid rate off the little spin outfit.  Amber was on and after a lot of coaching from her dad and encouragement from the rest of the team, Amber had her Spaniard swimming nicely alongside the boat.  We got it up into the boat for some photos and then sent him on his way. 

Soon after that and Pam hooked into a Yellowfin Tuna which was followed all the way back to the boat by a big shark!  We figured the tuna was mighty pleased about its short stay aboard the 'Sal Canis' the photo opportunity and then back into the water to fight another day! 

A really good day in all and Pam, John and Amber were pretty stoked - we also managed to show them lots of humpback whales, turtles and a manta ray.  Smiles and back slapping all round and then it was back to the mooring for a well deserved sundowner and a pretty spectacular sunset.  

Hatchlings are now appearing from the nests of the Magpie Geese.  The nests are almost single handedly built by the males but the incubation and care for the young is shared by both.   

A few corporate groups have recently spent time at Arkaba, which offers the perfect setting for small conference groups and executive meetings. Scott Way from PKF/OD and his team spent two days on their annual planning session at the Arkaba Homestead and this is what Scott had to say about Arkaba as a venue- "The part that impressed me the most was the isolation from the public, the complete privacy we had and the undivided attention from the Arkaba team to help us focus on the time we had".

Scott is currently in the process of organising a team-development program for one of their clients to do the Arkaba Walk later in the year. The event will span four days and by combining the facilities of the homestead with the three trails camps it will be possible to cater for their group of about 16.

Afternoon game drive on some of the 60 thousand acres  of Arkaba Station

Conference and dining table with drop-down screen and projector

Richard, our chef at Arkaba makes amazing home-made delights for the first night of the walking trail. Pictured below is a scrumptious lemon and honey curd tart. 

Wild Bush Luxury has launched its dedicated fishing website www.wildbushfishing.com 

A selection of quality lodges and camps in some of Australia's best fishing destinations.  

• Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia 
• Bamurru Plains on the Mary River Floodplains in the Top End 
• And opening for the 2012 barra season, Windayi River Camp, on the Ord River near Kununurra