The Pages facts for kids
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Australia
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The Pages are a group of small islands and a reef. They are located in South Australia. You can find them in Backstairs Passage. This is a narrow stretch of water. It separates Kangaroo Island from the Fleurieu Peninsula. Since 1972, these islands have been part of a special protected area. It is called The Pages Conservation Park.
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The Name of The Pages
Long ago, the local Aboriginal people called these islands Metalong. They had a special story about them. In their lore, the islands were once two women. A wise man named Nurunderi had saved them. But the women ate forbidden food and ran away from him. Nurunderi followed them for many days. They tried to enter the spirit land. But Nurunderi sang a song that made the sea rise. The waves swept the women into the ocean. Then, another spirit, Nepelle, turned the women into stone. Their stone bodies remain as a warning.
Later, in 1802, an explorer named Matthew Flinders saw the islands. He thought they looked like "pages" (young servants) guarding the entrance to the strait. So, he named them "The Pages".
What The Pages Look Like
The Pages group has two main islands. They are about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) apart. Both islands are similar in size. North Page is about 400 metres (1,300 feet) long and 200 metres (660 feet) wide. It stands about 24 metres (79 feet) high. South Page is a bit longer, about 450 metres (1,480 feet) long and 170 metres (560 feet) wide. It is about 20 metres (66 feet) high.
South-west of South Page, there is a reef. It has two small islets. These islets are often covered by waves. They rise about 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) above the sea. Together, they are about 380 metres (1,250 feet) long.
The islands are very rugged. They do not have any sandy beaches. This makes it hard to land a boat there. A special light, called a navigational aid, is on top of South Page Island. It helps boats find their way.
Plants and Animals of The Pages
Small patches of soil on the islands allow some plants to grow. You can find plants like variable groundsel and bulbine lily. Other plants include round-leaved pigface and ruby saltbush.
The islands are home to many animals. Silver gulls build their nests here. A group of Australian sea lions also lives and has their pups on the islands.
South Page island used to have a large group of little penguins. In 1992, there were an estimated 200 to 400 penguins. However, by 2009, their numbers had become very small. In 1884, people said there were "very plentiful" little penguins on South Page island. They also found a large eagle's nest in a very hard-to-reach spot.
Protecting The Pages
The Pages islands have been protected for a long time. This means they are special places where nature is kept safe. Protection started in 1909 to keep birds safe. Over the years, different laws helped protect the animals and plants.
Finally, in 1972, The Pages became a Conservation Park. This happened under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Being a Conservation Park helps make sure these islands and their wildlife are safe for the future.
