Lesueur Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesueur Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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 Lesueur Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Penneshaw |
| Established | 21 January 1971 |
| Area | 14.14 km2 (5.5 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Lesueur Conservation Park is a special place in South Australia. It is a protected area found on the Dudley Peninsula of Kangaroo Island. This park was created to protect the unique plants and coastal areas of the island's eastern side.
The park was first set up in 1971. It was known as the Cape Hart Conservation Park. Later, its name changed on March 28, 2002. It was renamed to honor Charles Alexandre Lesueur. He was a member of the Baudin expedition to Australia, an important journey of discovery. The park is famous for its amazing coastal cliffs.
Exploring Lesueur Conservation Park
Lesueur Conservation Park covers about 14.14 square kilometers (5.46 square miles). This includes about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of coastline. It is located near Cape Willoughby, which is the easternmost point of Kangaroo Island. The park is also about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) southeast of the town of Penneshaw.
Park Geology and Landscape
The land in the park is mostly made of sandstone. Along the coast, you can see large granite boulders. These rocks have been shaped by the ocean over many years. They create a rugged and beautiful coastline.
Plants of the Park
The main type of plant in the park is an open scrub. This scrub is mostly made of Eucalyptus diversifolia, also known as Soap Mallee. On the coastal cliffs, you will find low shrubland. This area has plants like Melaleuca gibbosa.
There are also other interesting plant areas. You might see patches of Eucalyptus cneorifolia and Melaleuca uncinata in open heath areas. Another type of plant community is the Allocasuarina verticillata low open forest.
Animals Living in the Park
Lesueur Conservation Park is home to several native animals. You can often spot Kangaroo Island kangaroos hopping around. Tammar wallabies also live here. These animals are important to the park's ecosystem.
The coast of the park is visited by Australian sea lions. They are often seen resting on the rocks or swimming in the waters nearby. The park helps protect these amazing creatures and their homes.
Protecting Nature: IUCN Category Ia
Lesueur Conservation Park is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area. This means it is a "Strict Nature Reserve." These areas are set aside to protect nature in its wildest form. Human visits are usually limited to scientific research or environmental monitoring. This helps keep the park as natural as possible.
