Fauna

Country surrounding the Canning Stock Route (CSR) has been identified by the Australian government as high conservation value. At least 10 mammal and reptile species that survive throughout Country surrounding the CSR are listed as threatened under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Some of the significant mammal and reptile species include the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), great desert skink (Egernia kintorei), northern and southern marsupial mole (Notoryctes caurinus and N. typhlops), mulgara (Dasycercus blythii and D. cristicauda) and the black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis).

Most of these species are now extinct through the majority of their former range, but have managed to continue to survive in the desert Country where the effects of urbanisation and pastoralism are low.

Rocky hills and ranges provide shelter and refuge for animals like the euro, echidna, fat-tailed antechinus and black-flanked rock wallaby.

Great desert skinks, bilbies and mulgara usually occur on sand plains, with marsupial moles, hopping mice, and other small native rodents burying into sand dunes. Traditional Owners have a deep understanding of the animals and their lifecycles, and are expert trackers in identifying the multitude of tracks, diggings and burrows on Country.