Cook Island Nature Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cook Island Nature ReserveNew South Wales |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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Cook Island seen from Fingal Head, New South Wales
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 Cook Island Nature Reserve
Location in New South Wales
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| Established | 7 August 1959 |
| Area | 5 hectares (12 acres) |
| Visitation | "minimal" (in 2011) |
| Managing authorities | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Cook Island Nature Reserve |
| See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
Cook Island Nature Reserve is a special protected area in New South Wales, Australia. It's located on Cook Island, which is a small island about 600 meters off the coast near Fingal Head. This reserve helps protect the island's unique wildlife and plants. It's also about 4 kilometers south-east of Tweed Heads on the state's north coast.
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About Cook Island Nature Reserve
The nature reserve includes the entire Cook Island, right down to where the ocean usually reaches at high tide. It was first set aside to protect animals on August 8, 1959. Later, in 1967, it officially became a nature reserve. The waters around the island are also protected as the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve. As of 2016, the reserve covers about 5 hectares, which is roughly the size of 12 football fields.
Why is Cook Island Protected?
Cook Island is very important because it's a safe home for many seabirds to breed and raise their young. In 1978, experts described the island as a key breeding spot.
What Animals Live Here?
Two important bird species that live on Cook Island are the crested tern (Sterna bergii) and the wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus).
- The crested tern is a bird that travels long distances, flying between different countries.
- The wedge-tailed shearwater has a large population on the island.
The island is covered with thick bushes and plants. This vegetation provides great shelter for the nesting birds. Because it's hard to get onto the island, the plants and animals have stayed in their natural condition, mostly undisturbed by people.
How is it Protected?
Cook Island Nature Reserve is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area. This means it's a very strict nature reserve, set aside mainly for scientific research or environmental monitoring. The main goal is to protect the wild nature of the area. In 1978, it was also listed on the now-closed Register of the National Estate, which was a list of important natural and cultural places in Australia.
