Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Elliston
Established	16 March 1967
Area	3.94 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park is a special place in South Australia that helps protect nature. It includes three islands: Waldegrave Island, Little Waldegrave Island, and a group of rocks called the Watchers. These islands are part of the Investigator Group.

You can find this park off the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. It's about 8.5 kilometers (about 5 miles) northwest of a town called Elliston.

Protecting the Islands

This conservation park was first set up on March 16, 1967. It was created to protect important animals and their homes. Later, in 1972, it was officially recognized under a new law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Why the Park Was Created

The main reason for creating this park was to protect two special animals:

• Cape Barren geese: These unique birds use the islands as a safe place to breed and raise their young.
• Australian sea lions: These amazing marine mammals use the islands as "haul-out" areas. This means they come out of the water onto the land to rest, warm up, and have their pups.

What Makes the Park Special

In 1980, experts described the Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park. They noted that because the islands are uninhabited (no people live there), they are mostly free from human disturbance. This makes them a very important home for wildlife.

Animals of the Islands

The park is a vital breeding ground for several interesting bird species. These include:

• Cape Barren geese: As mentioned, they are a key reason for the park's protection.
• White-breasted sea-eagles: These large birds of prey are also found here.
• Ospreys: Another type of fish-eating bird of prey.
• Mutton birds: These are seabirds, also known as shearwaters.

Besides birds, other animals live on the islands. You might find:

• Black tiger snakes: These snakes are native to the area.
• Bush rats (Rattus fuscipes): These are native Australian rodents.

Plants of the Islands

The islands have a mix of plants. While some native plants like nitrebush and saltbush grow along the coast, other plants like sage brush and boxthorn have been introduced. Even with some introduced plants, the islands are still very important because they are free from introduced predators that could harm the native animals.

Park Classification

The Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park is classified as a Category Ia protected area by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is the strictest category of protected area. It means the park is kept as wild and untouched as possible to protect its natural ecosystems and wildlife. Human visits are very limited to prevent disturbance.