Conservation

Kangaroo Island is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife. As a haven for endangered species and a fragile environment, conservation is paramount to preserving the island's natural beauty for future generations. Learn more about how critical conservation efforts are underway on Kangaroo Island, highlighting the challenges faced, the initiatives being implemented, and the positive impact they have on the island's ecosystems and wildlife.

Trio Bushwalking

Landscape Board Programs

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board protects biodiversity and helps landholders conserve native vegetation. Over 10 years, they've protected 2,709 hectares, including critical habitats. They've also supported community revegetation of 420 hectares, and the KI Native Plant Nursery grows 50,000 plants annually. The Board supports EPBC Act-listed species, like KI dunnarts and glossy black-cockatoos. Their efforts have led to increased dunnart and black-cockatoo populations. From 2009-2018, the Board monitored reef biodiversity, seagrass, and water quality, and revegetated seagrass meadows. Find out more about their ongoing projects below.

Glossy Black Cockatoo Recovery
Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-cockatoo

Now extinct on mainland Australia, the nationally endangered Glossy Black-cockatoo subspecies Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus has its last refuge on Kangaroo Island.

The Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-cockatoo Recovery Program started in 1995 with less than 160 Glossy Black-cockatoos in existence and has nursed the population back from the brink of extinction, doubling the population of glossies on Kangaroo Island to over 360 birds and helping them to spread eastwards across the island. The 2019-2020 summer bushfires significantly impacted the habitat of this species, and work is continuing to ensure they continue to thrive.

At times during the year there are volunteer opportunities available. In winter there are planting days to help plant sheoaks for glossies, and for one week in Spring the annual population census is run.

Kangaroo Island Dunnart Recovery

The Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis fuliginosus aitkeni) is only found on Kangaroo Island, South Australia and is listed as endangered. Prior to the 2019-20 summer bushfires, the population of Kangaroo Island Dunnarts was thought to be less than 500 and was entirely restricted to the western end of the island. Approximately 96% of their known habitat was then destroyed by the fires.

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board’s Dunnart Recovery Program aims to better understand where these native rodents are found on the island, identify immediate and long-term threats to their survival, and manage key threats to the species.

As part of a joint initiative between National Parks and Wildlife SA and the Atlas of Living Australia, all of the camera trap photos from the Kangaroo Island Dunnart survey sites are now available on-line for citizen scientists to help look through and identify which animals are present.

Feral Cat Eradication

The Kangaroo Island Feral Cat Eradication Program aims to eliminate feral cats from Kangaroo Island. Feral cat predation is a major threat to the island’s valuable and endemic native animals, many of which are threatened on mainland Australia, including the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, Kangaroo Island Echidna, Southern Brown Bandicoot, and Hooded Plover.

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board is dedicated to eradicating feral cats from the entire island, beginning with the 38,000-hectare Dudley Peninsula located on the eastern end. Following the 2019-2020 bushfires, the Board has been actively controlling feral cats within and around the fire scar on western Kangaroo Island to mitigate their predation of recovering native animals.

Oyster Reef Restoration

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board has established 20 small, native flat oyster (Ostrea angasi) shellfish reefs near Kingscote and American River to revitalize the health and functionality of these crucial shellfish and fish habitats. These new reefs serve as habitats for premium recreational fishing species and contribute to a national initiative aimed at restoring shellfish reefs.

Constructed using limestone, recycled shell, terracotta tile, and ceramic razorfish forms, these low-profile artificial reefs facilitate the natural recruitment of native flat oysters. The reefs will be initially seeded with local native flat oyster spat collected from within the bay. Over time, it is anticipated that the reefs will expand and support the natural settlement of native flat oysters, eventually connecting to form a continuous reef habitat.

This project is supported by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, with funding provided by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program: Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program.

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network

The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network is a nonprofit organisation comprised of a committed group of volunteers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife on Kangaroo Island.

Through educational initiatives, the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network seeks to minimize wildlife trauma and provide the essential skills and mentorship to caregivers committed to raising and rehabilitating the injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife entrusted to their care.

The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network collaborates closely with the Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic and South Australia's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWSA) to assist, respond to, and assess injured wildlife, ensuring that their medical and legislative needs are met with the highest standards. The organization works with these agencies to identify suitable habitats for rehabilitated wildlife and prioritize restoration sites for the future.

To maintain the highest standards of native animal care, KIWN volunteers continually update their knowledge by attending training seminars and conferences. This ensures that any native animal entrusted to their care receives the best possible treatment.

KIWN also provides information and training to Kangaroo Island wildlife caregivers and the general community through workshops and written materials on various aspects of wildlife care and management.

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network
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KI Wildlife Park Koala & Wildlife Rescue Centre

Kangaroo Island's unique wildlife is beautiful to see, but sadly, accidents, weather events, and other threats can leave these animals injured or orphaned. This is when Dana and Sam at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park step in, offering care for these vulnerable creatures.

For years, the park has been a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. Many of their resident animals, from koalas to kangaroos, were joeys who received care after losing their mothers to car accidents, dog attacks, or extreme weather events.

Their dedication went above and beyond in January 2020 when devastating bushfires ravaged Kangaroo Island. The park established the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre, a lifeline for hundreds of animals. Over 600 koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, goannas, birds, and possums received critical care for burns, dehydration, and starvation.

The heartwarming part? Many animals, after receiving expert treatment, were released back into the wild, stronger and ready to thrive. However, some joeys orphaned during this time required ongoing medication, monitoring, and had imprinted on their caregivers during hand-raising. They became permanent residents, ambassadors for their species.

The Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre operates 24/7, responding to calls for help around the clock. Their unwavering commitment extends beyond immediate care - they're also passionate about wildlife conservation.

The rescue center is an active wildlife hospital, frequently caring for injured and orphaned animals. These wild creatures are unaccustomed to human interaction and, to ensure their safety and protection, public entry is restricted. However, a significant portion of the center's animal population consists of rescues that have passed through its care but are unable to be released. This includes the bushfire koala joeys that visitors can encounter and learn about during the daily koala talks.

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Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Male Snorkeler with Dolphins

Marine Sanctuary Zones

Kangaroo Island boasts a diverse marine environment, protected by a network of marine sanctuary zones. These zones play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, safeguarding habitats, and supporting sustainable fisheries. By limiting human activities such as fishing and development, marine sanctuaries allow marine ecosystems to thrive, benefiting both wildlife and the local economy.

Download the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Kangaroo Island Marine Parks guide.

Encounter Park

Encounter Marine Park offers a breathtaking underwater world, home to some of Australia's most diverse marine life. From pristine dive sites and spectacular reefs to vital fish breeding and shelter areas, this park is perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Stretching from the Fleurieu Peninsula to Kangaroo Island and the Coorong, the park provides ample opportunities for exploration. Discover the state's premier dive site, Aldinga Reef, or catch some waves at popular surf breaks along the coast. Fishing enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy, with access maintained at key fishing destinations like the Murray Mouth, Waitpinga Beach, and Antechamber Bay.

Keep your eyes peeled for unique marine creatures like leafy sea dragons, the Australia sea lion colony on Page Islands, and the majestic southern right whales that visit the region annually.

Access to Encounter Marine Park is available from various points including Port Noarlunga, Aldinga, Rapid Bay, Cape Jervis, Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Bashams Beach, Antechamber Bay, Penneshaw, American River, and Kingscote. You can also explore the park through Deep Creek Conservation Park and Coorong National Park.

Important: To protect marine mammals, all vessels must maintain a distance of at least 300 meters from any whale within the Encounter Bay whale calving and nursery area.

Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park

Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park offers a dramatic landscape characterized by remote offshore islands and rugged cliffs. This pristine marine environment serves as a migratory corridor for whales, dolphins, and southern blue fin tuna.

Beyond the exposed coastlines, the park features sheltered estuaries, secluded beaches, and diverse underwater habitats teeming with life. Explore deep-water reefs, sandy seafloors, and intertidal zones home to rock lobsters, sponges, soft corals, and sea stars.

Dive into the park's history by exploring shipwrecks dating back to 1836, or embark on a fishing charter to experience the thrill of throwing a line in the open waters. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in observing Australian fur seals at North Casuarina Islet and long-nosed fur seals at Cape du Couedic. Birdwatchers can spot white-bellied sea eagles and ospreys hunting for prey.

Access to Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park is available from Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Du Couedic, Cape Borda, and Harvey's Return.

Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park

Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park is renowned for its iconic Seal Bay, home to a thriving population of Australian sea lions. This protected area showcases a diverse range of animals and habitats.

Located along Kangaroo Island's southern coast, the park stretches from D'Estrees Bay to the western end of Seal Bay Conservation Park. With deep-water reefs, exposed cliffs, and rocky headlands, this marine environment provides one of Australia's most significant breeding sites for Australian sea lions.

Discover the fascinating world of these marine mammals as you observe them both on land and at sea. Explore the park's diverse habitats, including the offshore granite knolls at South West Rocks and the nationally important wetlands of D'Estrees Bay coastline.

Fishing enthusiasts will find ample opportunities along the shore of D'Estrees Bay. For those venturing into the deeper reefs, expect to encounter snapper, whiting, and small sharks.

Access to Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park is available from Seal Bay, Cape Gantheaume, and D'Estrees Bay.

Southern Spencer Gulf

Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park encompasses a vast area, including several offshore islands, the deep waters of Investigator Strait, and the rugged north coast of Kangaroo Island. The unique blend of cold and warm waters in this region creates dynamic ecosystems and supports a rich marine biodiversity. The park serves as a vital spawning, nursery, and feeding ground, particularly for King George whiting.

Fishing is a popular activity within the park, accessible from most jetties and beaches, except for designated sanctuary zones. These protected areas, including Gleeson's Landing, Chinaman's Hat, Orcades Bank, and Waterfall Creek, safeguard all animals and plants from harm.

Explore the underwater world through diving or snorkeling, discovering vibrant habitats teeming with colorful marine life such as the harlequin fish, western blue devil, and western blue groper.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to observe Australian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals basking in the sun at Althorpe Islands Conservation Park. Birdwatchers can spot osprey and white-bellied sea eagles soaring along the cliffs or nesting on remote beaches, while hooded plovers find suitable breeding grounds in these secluded areas.

Access to Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park is available from various points, including Hardwicke Bay, Point Turton, Corny Point, Gleeson's Landing, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park (Browns Beach, Pondalowie, and Stenhouse Bay), and Marion Bay.