Doubtful Islands facts for kids
Doubtful Islands are a group of three small islands found off the coast of Western Australia. They are about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Point Hood and about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Bremer Bay.
These islands cover an area of about 170 hectares (420 acres). You can find them at the southern end of Doubtful Islands Bay, in a part of Western Australia called the Great Southern region.
How Did They Get Their Name?
The islands were named by a famous explorer, George Vancouver, in 1791. He wasn't sure if they were truly islands or just part of the mainland, so he called them "Doubtful Islands."
Later, in 1802, another explorer named Matthew Flinders visited the area. He confirmed that they were indeed a group of separate islands.
A Look Back in Time
In 1837, two places for hunting whales were set up near the islands. One was started by George Cheyne, and the other by Thomas Booker Sherratt.
A whaler named John Thomas often hunted for right whales around Doubtful Islands in the early 1860s. Another whaler, John MacKenzie, sadly lost two of his crew members near the islands after an encounter with a small whale.
Wildlife on the Islands
In 2003, nine sperm whales were found stranded on reefs near the islands. Six of them had already passed away, and the others were very ill and had to be helped to end their suffering.
New Zealand fur seals live on the islands. However, their numbers on Doubtful Islands have gone down by almost half between 1999 and 2011. This is happening even though the total number of these seals along the south coast of Western Australia has increased.
Images for kids
-
Doubtful Islands
