Why is the wildlife on Kangaroo Island significant?

Kangaroo Island is renowned for its native wildlife — but why?

Kangaroo Island is truly an unforgettable place, swarming with an incredibly diverse range of native animal species. Many of these animals are now threatened, as well as some being distinctly different from other mainland species.

They are isolated

Due to Kangaroo Island being separated from mainland Australia around 10,000 years ago, the animals on the island have faced a long isolation. Leading many of the animals to become unique local subspecies, different from their mainland relatives. There are even a few natives that are completely unique to Kangaroo Island, including the sooty dunnart.

Other than the local domestics, there are few introduced species, with only koalas, platypus, pigs, and a few lizards introduced over the years. Other animals which have made large impacts on the environment including foxes and rabbits have not been established, leading to a purer wildlife region than the mainland. Due to this detachment from the mainland troubles, a lot of the species on Kangaroo Island are better off. Koalas are disease-free, as chlamydia has not been introduced to their sub-group. Even the island’s bees produce purer honey, as they have less polluted flowers to get nectar from.

The marine environment of Kangaroo Island is equally as diverse, with key marine species roaming the shallow shores of the island. Exceptional marine mammals include the blue groper and the ornate Leafy Sea-Dragon, which are completely unique to the region. Other worthwhile species are the Australian sea lions and Long-nosed Fur Seals, which are common encounters when visiting.

They are endangered

Due to Kangaroo Island having a diverse range of native animal species, any alteration in the island’s environment can cause the species to be threatened. The island is small, and after thousands of years in one particular environment, any change would have a devastating effect on the creatures who rely on it to be maintained.

The Natural Resources Kangaroo Island have implemented a number of projects, working together to maintain, restore, and recover the native animal population. A large percentage of Kangaroo Island is protected, with national parks, conservation parks and wilderness protection areas providing habitat for native animals. Limiting the spread of new species or destruction on the island is vital as if some of these creatures are whipped out, the entire species type would become extinct.

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