Wildlife Management International (WMI) is a wildlife-based company, located in Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia. It has operated continually since 1978, and undertakes a broad range of activities. WMI have authored numerous books, countless reports, and over two hundred academic publications. WMI’s senior staff, make regular appearances in the media nationally and internationally.

WMI started its commercial activities (1978) providing contract research and management services on crocodiles to the NT Government. WMI has diversified a great deal since then, but are generally considered the world’s leading experts on crocodiles. Indeed, WMI hosts the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, with 560+ members from 63 countries.

Central areas of WMI activity in the NT are: tourism, crocodile management and production, research, monitoring, policy development, filming support services, and logistic assistance to people needing to operate in the field in the NT for various reasons. Nationally and internationally, WMI core business revolves around assessing policies, programs and providing strategic advice to clients (government and corporate), about wildlife conservation, management, sustainable use, captive production, biopolitics and trade.

WMI has worked on invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, in contexts of wildlife conservation, wildlife use, fisheries, forestry, agriculture and mining. WMI has always worked closely with Indigenous communities, have a good understanding of Aboriginal culture and tradition, and encourage economic development in remote Aboriginal lands based on the sustainable use of wild resources.

WMI have been actively engaged with the IUCN, CITES, CBD and many environmental NGOs and governments for over 30 years. WMI have an extensive network of associates, nationally and internationally, in both private and institutional research sectors, and are affiliated with a number of universities, governments, non-government organisations, academic societies and conservation organisations around the world.

History

Wildlife Management International (WMI) was formed in 1978 by Professor Grahame Webb, an Australian Zoologist with reptile expertise, who had been researching crocodiles since 1973. Charlie Manolis, WMI’s Chief Scientist, joined WMI in 1980. Since then WMI has diversified into a range of different activities, that both advance scientific knowledge, apply it commercially, and assist others to do the same. WMI now works closely with Charles Darwin University, since built in the NT. WMI has a long history of using science and evidence-based approaches for assessing and solving conservation and management problems. WMI plays an active role in public education about wildlife management, and is skilled in the biopolitics of environmental and conservation issues, nationally and internationally.

Crocodiles

WMI was created specifically to advance research on crocodiles, in the remote wetlands of the Northern Territory. In the 1970’s there was no University in Darwin, and the research was more cost-effective to pursue through a consulting company – WMI. The Northern Territory Government outsourced its crocodile research needs to WMI, and WMI reinvested much of its income back to more and more research. On the back of this science-based research and management with crocodiles, and the experience gained with biopolitics, the demand for WMI services grew internationally and led to involvement in many different controversial wildlife conservation issues. Within the NT, WMI established its headquarters and has continued to diversifyy into tourism and other businesses linked to wildlife.

Today

WMI is a respected organisation that values and trades in knowledge. Locally, WMI provides government and private sector clients with the skills needed to review policies and programs, and develop strategies for their improvement. WMI also provides expert research, logistic and support services for filmmakers, and others wanting to operate in NT wetlands. Crocodylus Park provides a unique venue for specialised filming of crocodile behaviours. Internationally, WMI provides expertise, advice and strategic guidance to a wide range of government, NGO and private sector clients, trying to find solutions to wildlife conservation and trade problems. WMI keeps abreast of many national and international wildlife issues, has a diverse and highly skilled network of colleagues, and can respond rapidly to a diverse range of problems.

Look at Projects and Publications WMI has been involved with.