Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve Northern Territory
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve Location in Northern Territory
Nearest town or city	Elliott
Established	2000
Area	115.3 square kilometres (45 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
See also	Protected areas of the Northern Territory

The Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve is a special protected area in Australia's Northern Territory. It's about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of a town called Elliott. This reserve was set up in the year 2000 to protect its unique plants and animals.

It covers a large area of 115.3 square kilometers (about 44.5 square miles). This makes it a safe home for many different species.

Where is Bullwaddy Reserve?

The Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve is located on a flat area called the Sturt Plateau. The Carpentaria Highway runs along its northern edge.

The reserve is surrounded by large cattle farms. To the north, south, and west, you'll find the Amungee Mungee cattle station. The Tanumbirini Station is located to the east.

What's the Land Like?

The Sturt Plateau, where the reserve is found, has very unique soil. It's often shallow and not very fertile. This soil is called lateritic, which means it's reddish and can be quite hard.

Despite the challenging soil, the area is home to special plants. You'll see large groups of a tree called Bullwaddy. This tree is part of the Combretaceae family. Mixed in with the Bullwaddy, you'll also find many lancewood trees, which are a type of Acacia.

Who Cares for the Land?

The original guardians of this land are the Alawa and Jingili peoples. They are the traditional owners of this area. They have a deep connection to the land and its history.

The first Europeans to arrive here were pastoralists. They brought cattle to graze on the surrounding plains.

What Animals Live Here?

The Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve is an important home for many animals. Some of these animals are considered near threatened. This means their numbers are getting low, and they need special protection to survive.

Animals that need protection include:

• The Bush stone-curlew, a bird known for its loud calls at night.
• The Spectacled hare-wallaby, a small wallaby with rings around its eyes.
• The Northern nailtail wallaby, which has a special spike on its tail.

Other interesting animals you might find in the reserve are:

• The Black-headed monitor, also known as the Black tailed goanna. This is a type of lizard.
• The Northern snapping frog, also called the Giant frog. This frog is known for its large size.