Pooginook Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pooginook Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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 Pooginook Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Waikerie |
| Established | 7 May 1970 |
| Area | 28.51 km2 (11.0 sq mi) |
| Visitation | ‘moderate’ (in 1994) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| Website | Pooginook Conservation Park |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Pooginook Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located in a place called Pooginook. This park is about 166 kilometers (103 miles) north-east of Adelaide, the state's capital. It's also just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) north-east of the town of Waikerie.
The park helps protect important natural areas. It was first created on May 7, 1970, as the Pooginook National Park. Later, on April 27, 1972, it became the Pooginook Conservation Park. As of 2018, the park covers an area of 28.51 square kilometers (11 square miles).
Contents
What is Pooginook Conservation Park?
Pooginook Conservation Park is a protected area. It was set up to keep a part of the Australian landscape safe. This park is managed by the Department for Environment and Water. They work to protect the plants and animals that live there.
Why is Pooginook Park Important?
The park is very important because it protects a type of land called "mallee scrub." This area has low sand dunes and is home to many different plants and animals. It's like a natural home for them. The park helps these species survive and thrive.
Animals Living in Pooginook Park
Many special animals call Pooginook Conservation Park home. These animals are important to the park's ecosystem.
- Malleefowl: These are ground-dwelling birds. They build large mounds of sand and leaves to incubate their eggs.
- Major Mitchell's cockatoo: Also known as the pink cockatoo, these are beautiful birds with pink and white feathers.
- Regent parrot: This is another colorful parrot species found in the park.
- Black-eared miner: This bird is a type of honeyeater. It is quite rare and needs protection.
- Black honeyeater: A small bird known for feeding on nectar from flowers.
- Southern hairy-nosed wombat: These unique marsupials were brought to the park. They are believed to still be living there.
Plants and Trees in the Park
The park has different types of plants depending on the area.
- Northern part: This area has thick mallee scrub on sandy plains. The main tree is Eucalyptus socialis. You can also find Myoporum platycarpum and Santalum murrayanum. The smaller plants include Triodia irritans (a type of spinifex grass) and Eremophila glabra.
- Southern part: This area is more open. It has some of the same mallee trees. You can also see bushes like Acacia species, Grevillea pterosperma, and Leptospermum coriaceum.
How the Park is Protected
The northern part of the park is mostly untouched. The southern part is growing back after being used for farming in the past. It still shows signs of old clearings. The park faces challenges from animals like goats and rabbits. These animals can harm the native plants and compete with native animals for food.
Park Status and Recognition
Pooginook Conservation Park is recognized internationally. It is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area. This means it is a "Strict Nature Reserve." These reserves are managed mainly for scientific research or to protect wilderness. They are the most strictly protected areas.
In 1980, the park was also listed on the Register of the National Estate. This was a list of places important to Australia's natural and cultural heritage. This list is no longer used, but it shows the park's past importance.
