Yulendji Bunwurrung Walagunh With Western Science: Ecological Insights, Emerging Research Questions and Future Directions From Bunurong Stories of Marine Mammals

Indigenous Knowledge systems contain deep, place‐based ecological insights developed over generations, yet they remain underrepresented in mainstream biodiversity assessments and conservation planning. In Australia, Indigenous peoples have maintained enduring relationships with Warrinh (sea/ocean) for at least 65,000 years, generating rich knowledge of marine ecosystems and species. This study explores yulendji Bunwurrung (Bunurong knowledge) related to marine mammal ecology in Victoria, Australia. Five Stories shared by a Bunurong Elder describe Bunwurrung women's connection to Sea Country and their Knowledge of marine mammals. A thematic analysis was used to identify key ecological themes within the Stories, which were then integrated with contemporary scientific literature to explore areas of convergence and identify emerging research questions. The Stories describe species occurrences, habitat use, seasonal movements, interspecific relationships and historical conditions that aligned with, and in some cases extended beyond, the temporal scope of contemporary scientific records. Several Stories also highlighted areas where scientific understanding remains understudied, including marine mammal movement patterns, habitat use and species interactions. The findings emphasise the importance of Indigenous‐led knowledge as a source of ecological understanding and hypothesis generation, while emphasising the importance of respectfully integrating multiple knowledge systems to support marine research, conservation and management.