Olive Island Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olive Island Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Olive Island Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Streaky Bay
Established	16 March 1967
Area	21 ha (52 acres)
Visitation	'very few visitors' (in 2006)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Olive Island Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It includes Olive Island, which is located off the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. This important park is about 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) west-northwest of the town of Streaky Bay. It was created to help protect important wildlife, especially the Australian sea lion.

What is Olive Island Conservation Park?

Olive Island Conservation Park is a place where nature is carefully protected. It covers about 21 hectares (around 52 acres) of land. The main goal of this park is to keep the natural environment safe. This includes the animals and plants that live there.

Why Was the Park Created?

This park was first set up on March 16, 1967. Back then, it was called a fauna conservation reserve. This means it was a place specifically for protecting animals. Later, in 1972, it officially became the Olive Island Conservation Park. The main reason for this change was to protect a very important place where Australian sea lions have their babies. More land was added to the park in 1991 to make it even bigger.

Protecting Nature: IUCN Category Ia

The Olive Island Conservation Park is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area. This is a very strict category. It means the park is a "Strict Nature Reserve." In these areas, human visits are very limited. The main purpose is to protect nature in its purest form. This helps scientists study the environment without much human disturbance. It also ensures that the animals and plants are as safe as possible.

Historical Recognition

In 1980, the Olive Island Conservation Park was listed on the former Register of the National Estate. This register was a list of places in Australia that were important for their natural or cultural value. Being on this list showed how special and valuable Olive Island is for conservation.

Importance of Olive Island

Olive Island is especially important because it is a breeding habitat for the Australian sea lion. These sea lions are unique to Australia and are an endangered species. This means they are at risk of disappearing forever. Protecting their breeding grounds, like Olive Island, is very important for their survival. By keeping this area safe, the park helps ensure that Australian sea lions have a secure place to raise their young.