Brunette Island facts for kids
 Brunette Island
Location in Newfoundland
Location of Brunette Island in Newfoundland
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Fortune Bay |
| Coordinates | 47°16′47″N 55°54′02″W / 47.27972°N 55.90056°W |
| Area | 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Province | Newfoundland and Labrador |
Brunette Island is a beautiful island located in Fortune Bay, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is the largest island in Fortune Bay, covering about 20 square kilometers (about 7.7 square miles). The island's highest point reaches 160 meters (525 feet) above sea level.
Island History
Brunette Island has an interesting past, especially concerning its people and wildlife.
Early Settlements
In the 1800s, a small fishing community grew on Brunette Island. At one point, around 300 people lived there, making their living from the sea. To help guide ships, a 30-foot tall lighthouse was built in 1865. Later, a newer lighthouse was constructed by 1924. However, in the 1950s, the entire village was resettled. This means all the residents moved off the island to other communities.
Wildlife Experiments
Brunette Island has also been a special place for wildlife studies. In 1964, scientists tried an interesting experiment: they brought bison to the island. The idea was to see if these large animals could live in Newfoundland. Unfortunately, the experiment was not successful. Bison are used to wide, flat plains, and Brunette Island's rocky landscape and steep cliffs were very different from their natural home.
Despite the bison experiment not working out, wildlife experts continued to use Brunette Island for other animal projects. They found it was a great place for observing and helping populations of certain animals grow. These animals included Arctic hare, caribou, ptarmigan, and moose. Because there were no large predators on the island, these animal populations could increase as long as there was enough food for them. Sometimes, the island has even been opened for hunters.
Today, Mercer Head on Brunette Island still has a navigational light. This light helps guide boats and ships safely through the waters of Fortune Bay.
