![RIEL illustration](/files/styles/hero_very_small_phone_320x228/public/2019-12/riel-image-illustration_0.jpg?h=7990e165&itok=z1bVUzBx)
RIEL News
Plastic waste is choking one of Northern Territory’s most pristine areas and culturally significant areas
Wessel Islands Archipelago could have some of the most littered beaches in the Northern Territory with Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers discovering tons of plastic waste washed ashore.
![Blue whales in Tîmor-Leste](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-12/Drone%20image%20of%20a%20pygmy%20blue%20whale%20%28FOR%20NEWSROOM%29.jpg?h=96eb95f7&itok=mJBC5RBp)
Blue whales showing signs of malnutrition, a climate warning says CDU researcher
Blue whales that pass through the waters off Timor-Leste each year are showing signs of malnutrition according to a Charles Darwin University (CDU) researcher who has been studying the animals for almost a decade.
![Orange-Bellied Parrot](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-12/orange-bellied%20parrot-min.jpg?h=df73d727&itok=Jw6i0UGK)
Natural talent pips some of the most popular recording artists from the ARIA music charts
A collection of bird songs from Australia’s most threatened species was a surprise inclusion in the top 10 of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) music charts this week after strong pre-order sales.
![CDU Conservation Professor Stephen Garnett with the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 book he edited that identified 216 threatened birds in Australia.](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-11/Stephen%20Garnett%20with%20book.jpg?h=40e397ea&itok=CSDl94_N)
CDU and BirdLife Australia release Action Plan for Australian Birds
A landmark new report launched today released by BirdLife Australia and Charles Darwin University (CDU) shows a worrying number of Australia’s birds are closer to extinction than they were a decade ago.
![Wildfires in southern Africa release vast amounts of carbon emissions.](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-11/Burnt%20out%20forrest%2027.jpg?h=58c8a5e7&itok=3U_oZR1i)
First Nations fire knowledge is reducing the severity of Africa’s wildfires and cutting emissions
Territory fire experts from Charles Darwin University (CDU) are in Africa applying Australian First Nations fire mitigation to better protect wildlife and flora and reduce wildfire emissions.
![marine-life](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-10/false%20killer%20whale.png?h=5f17040a&itok=Z8tmF0UJ)
New three-year research project to monitor and conserve marine megafauna in the Territory
A new three-year Charles Darwin University (CDU) research project is developing new approaches to improve marine and coastal biodiversity monitoring, research, and conservation management.
![grace-daniels-honorary-doctorate](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-10/grace-daniels.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=H8OQOlMC)
CDU awards honorary doctorate to First Nations women’s advocate
Well-respected First Nations senior elder, educator and champion for women and children, Grace Miguyie Daniels (Bangardijan), has been presented with an honorary doctorate from Charles Darwin University (CDU) in recognition of her contribution to the Northern Territory.
![Person crouching on ground holding cage door open, with quoll leaping out](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-10/Quoll-release.jpg?h=ce398058&itok=36mrMPmJ)
More Quoll-ity research from RIEL PhD students
Australia has the worst mammal extinction record of any country and the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is struggling.
![Two people standing on high rock with green plain in background and sun low in sky](/files/styles/mask_column_narrow_1x/public/2021-09/sunset-ubirr1x.jpg?h=243a1841&itok=x7Z6Tzvg)
Learning about livelihoods, business and culture on country: A CDU intensive course
A small group of lucky Charles Darwin University (CDU) students recently found themselves looking across the majestic Nardab floodplains of the East Alligator River, right on sunset.