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“Eat The Invaders” screening sparks conversation on biodiversity, resilience, and Indigenous land management

Key takeaway

  • The screening showed strong evidence that blending Indigenous ecological knowledge with western research approaches leads to smarter, more adaptive management at scale.
  • Invasive species are a real and growing productivity risk in the north. Feral pigs, cats, camels etc. aren’t just an environmental problem, they are damaging water systems, impacting native species and affecting cultural practice and pastoral productivity.
  • Protecting Country isn’t a single-agency job. Collaboration between Traditional Owners, producers, researchers and communities is key to building regional resilience.

The TNQ Drought Hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise (SATSIE) Program, in collaboration with the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) and the ABC, recently hosted a thought-provoking screening of ABC’s Eat The Invaders at Salt House in Cairns.

The event drew around 70 attendees, bringing together Traditional Owners, rangers, researchers, producers, and community members to explore how invasive species are reshaping northern Australia’s landscapes, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

Emceed by ABC Far North’s Adam Stephen, the evening featured a screening of Eat The Invaders, followed by a dynamic panel discussion with experts from across the country:

  • Christine Ellis Michaels, Ranger, Nyirripi Rangers (NT)
  • Nevin Reys, Ranger, Abriculture (QLD)
  • Scott West, Ranger, Kiwirrkurra Rangers (WA)
  • Dr Rachel Paltridge, Threatened Species Ecologist, Indigenous Desert Alliance
  • Harry Tamwoy, QLD Regional Coordinator, Protecting Country Against Invasive Species, NAILSMA
  • Dr Alex Watson, Northeast Regional Ecologist, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)
Attendees at the 'Eat the Invaders' screening in Cairns

The panellists, many of whom feature in the Eat The Invaders series, shared first-hand experiences from their regions, illustrating the widespread impact of feral animals such as pigs, cats, and camels. These species threaten native plants and animals, damage water systems, affect cultural practices and reduce productivity on both pastoral and traditional lands.

For attendees, the robust conversation challenged them to rethink conventional management approaches and consider how Indigenous knowledge, local action, and science can work together to protect Country.

The conversation also highlighted how Indigenous knowledge systems and local ranger programs are leading the way in developing adaptive, place-based solutions. These programs combine traditional ecological knowledge with modern science and technology, offering models of collaboration that benefit entire regions.

SATSIE Program Coordinator Jen McHugh said the evening showcased “the power of collaboration and storytelling in sparking meaningful dialogue around invasive species management and resilience in northern Australia.”

By connecting community voices, traditional knowledge, and science, events like Eat The Invaders strengthen collective understanding of what it takes to care for Country and highlight how biodiversity, productivity, and sustainability are deeply intertwined.

You can watch the full Eat The Invaders series now on ABC iView.