2023
Video transcript
[video: One Rakali, a brown fluffy native water rat the size of a cat, being released by researcher from a cotton bag into a grassy environment. Rakali leaves the shot to the left with a glimpse of white tip to the tail.]
[video: Erin Lenon, Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Local Engagement Officer, standing in front of wetland amongst River Red gum forest]
Erin Lenon: So the Yanco System including all its creeks and its wetlands is ecologically really important. It has some really fantastic habitats.
[video: Aerial view of wetland complex on the Colombo Creek at Coonong Station]
Erin Lenon: …and some really important species including threatened species.
[video: Charles Sturt University PhD researcher, Emmalie Sanders, standing in front of CSU field vehicle]
Emmalie Sanders: Rakali are a native, semi-aquatic mammal. They are the only top predator around these waterways.
[video: Aerial view of Yanco Creek with River Red gum riparian vegetation and green farmland. Text: Near Jerilderie NSW Yanco Creek System]
Emmalie Sanders: They feed predominantly on crustaceans and control those populations.
[video: Wetland with log snags and tall reeds in background. Text: Near Jerilderie NSW Yanco Creek System]
Emmalie Sanders: as well as fish.
[video: Charles Sturt University PhD researcher, Emmalie Sanders, standing in front of CSU field vehicle]
Emmalie Sanders: So they have a particular fondness for invasive species
[video: Night-time footage of logs in creek. Rakali, sitting on log in the water. Frame zooms in on Rakali. Rakali swims off log into hollow log.]
Emmalie Sanders: …such as carp or gambusia. Rakali are also known as water rat. They are quite different to those rodents that you might be more familiar with, the introduced black rat or the house mouse you’d generally see around. They are quite charismatic; they are often likened to more of an otter than a rodent.
[video: Rakali in cotton bag on the ground, turns in the bag and jumps to the right of frame and scurries away.]
Emmalie Sanders: They have completely furred tail.
[video: Charles Sturt University PhD researcher, Emmalie Sanders, standing in front of CSU field vehicle]
Emmalie Sanders: Very small ears, and they are quite large. They have a little white tip on end of their tail.
[video: Wooden floating platform attached to pickets in the water. Sardine tin as bait. Rakali on platform with clear white tip to tail.]
Emmalie Sanders: They often prefer water to anything else.
[video: Brown, cat sized Rakali in front of cage trap. Trap has hessian sack and hay for shade and bedding.]