Staats Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Staats Island
Isla Staats
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Location of Staats Island within the Falkland archipelago
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| Country | Falkland Islands |
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| • Total | 5 km2 (2 sq mi) |
Staats Island is a small island located in the Falkland Islands. It is found in the southwest part of the island group. The island covers an area of about 5 square kilometers (about 2 square miles). It is known for its interesting wildlife history.
Contents
Welcome to Staats Island!
Staats Island is one of the many islands that make up the Falkland Islands. These islands are a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Staats Island is not home to any people. It is a quiet place where nature thrives.
Where is Staats Island?
Staats Island is located at coordinates -51.892 latitude and -61.192 longitude. This places it in the southwestern part of the Falkland Islands archipelago. An archipelago is a group of islands. The island is part of a larger natural area.
Animals of Staats Island
Staats Island is famous for the different animals that have lived there. Some animals were brought to the island by people. Others are native to the area.
Guanacos: A Special Story
In the late 1930s, a group of guanacos was brought to Staats Island. Guanacos are animals related to llamas. They were introduced to the island between 1938 and 1939. There were only 15 guanacos at first.
Their numbers grew very quickly. By 1956, there were about 275 guanacos. At this point, people started to manage their population. This was done to make space for sheep. The sheep were important for farming. By the early 1960s, the guanaco population was much smaller. There were only about 10 to 20 animals left.
Over the years, the number of guanacos changed a lot. Sometimes there were hundreds, and sometimes only a few dozen. Their numbers were managed many times. As of 2004, the guanaco population had grown again. There were around 400 of these animals on the island.
Other Island Visitors
Other animals were also brought to Staats Island in the 1930s. These included a pair of lesser rheas. Rheas are large birds, sometimes called "ostriches" by people in the Falklands. However, the rheas did not stay on the island. Their nests were often raided by foxes. This made it hard for them to have babies.
Another animal introduced was the Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk. These skunks lived on the island for some time. They were still present in 1956.
Native Wildlife
Staats Island is also home to many native animals. These are animals that naturally live there. One common bird is the Magellanic penguin. These penguins are often seen on the island. Many other seabirds also live and nest on Staats Island. They use the island as a safe place to raise their young.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Staats para niños
