Man's Heritage: Barrow Island
Pearl, 8.30pm
Off the northern coast of Western Australia, Barrow Island is home to 15 land mammals, seven marine mammals, 110 species of birds and 40 reptiles, including the perentie (above). Barrow is the last remaining haven for many of these creatures, which is surprising when it's revealed that Australia's second-biggest oil producer shares the island. While some observers question the wisdom of ever allowing industry on one of the country's most important conservation reserves, the island's range of endemic, rare and endangered species remains intact because, unlike the mainland, introduced animals and plants have failed to gain a foothold.
This film profiles the work of two men on the island, Harry Butler and Les McClements. Butler, a legend of Australian natural history television, first visited Barrow as a young naturalist and stayed on as an environmental consultant when a licence to drill for oil was granted in the mid-1950s. Now in retirement, he runs environmental-awareness courses for island workers. McClements first went to the island 13 years ago and is the resident expert in animal health and welfare.