The Australian sea lion (dwert balgart) is at risk of extinction, with fewer than 6,500 mature individuals remaining. Beyond their ecological role, Australian sea lions are culturally significant as they are a totem for caring for country, and breeding occurs within areas of deep cultural importance to Wudjari people. The species’ asynchronous 17–18 month breeding cycle complicates monitoring, with pup production regarded as a reliable proxy for abundance because pups remain at natal colonies prior to dispersal. Ground-based pup counts are the conventional survey method; however, many colonies are logistically challenging to access. To improve survey coverage across Western Australia, helicopter access enabled monitoring of the colonies. Ground counts were complemented by uncrewed aerial systems (drones), deployed to capture high-resolution imagery. Orthomosaics were built post-field to enable image-based counts and comparison with ground observations. Method suitability was site-specific, influenced by island size, terrain, vegetation cover and accessibility, with additional challenges at mixed colonies where sea lions co-occurred with fur seals during overlapping pupping periods. Field surveys, data review and interpretation were undertaken collaboratively by Senior Cultural Advisors and rangers from Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, scientists and managers. The work aligned with Wudjari cultural plan targets, ensuring cultural safety, custodial oversight, integration of conservation monitoring and a holistic approach to understanding country and the environment in which we are all custodians. Results contribute to contemporary abundance estimates and inform recovery planning.