Wildlife Research

As an amateur environmentalist and Rottnest Foundation member volunteer Courtney Wheatley has been monitoring the health and population of Rottnest’s animals for over twenty years, including frogs, reptiles and several species of birds.

“Since I have been going over and observing the ecology, there is no doubt that species like the bobtail goannas and kingfishers have diminished in number,” Mr Wheatley said. “And while there is a possibility this is due to less feed, no one really knows without further research.”

Courtney’s focus has been on the three frog species endemic to Rottnest; the Moaning Frog, Sandplain Froglet and Western Green Tree (motorbike) Frog, the majestic and iconic Osprey population and several reptiles, including the skinks and bob-tail goannas.  His work has involved many surveys on island, recording numbers and observing animal behaviours for long periods of time, in all weather conditions. His results have been essential in a number of independent research projects and have provided key insights to the Environment Team of the RIA.