SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S SANCTUARY

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 1

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S SANCTUARY

200 SQUARE MILES OF BUSH South Australian can now boast a sanctuary, in every sense of the word, for the flora and, fauna of the State. It is, Professor F. Wood Jones points out in a special article in the * Register, ’ the realisation of a long-cherished ideal. Flinders Chase is on Kangaroo Island, which is separated from, the mainland by a narrow lane of sea, and has the advantage of being within half a day’s steaming of the capital. There are neither foxes nor rabbits on the island—two important factors in the success.of this wonderful sanctuary, which is also a beauty spot. Professor Wood Jones describes Flinders Chase as a well-regulated and properly supervised portion of unspoiled Australia, in which every native plant and creature is free to live its own life. There are enclosed 200 square miles, with two cottages, ono_ being occupied by a young, energetic ranger, who looks niter the animal paddocks, the fodder paddocks and gardens, and keeps unauthorised persons off the reserve. The other house is the headquarters of the board, and is at the disposal of accredited visitors, who are expected from all parts of Australia and other countries. It is hoped to attract naturalists to Flinders Chase for observation of some of Australia’s disappearing fauna, and later to deal in specimens if this can be done to advantage. KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES. The professor, who has just made t thorough inspection of the, reserve, says that around the homesteads kangaroos can bo seen almost any evening browsing in the open clearing between the swamps of the river and the sandhills. The thump of wallabies may be beard everywhere in the bush, and the beautiful Island rosellas come to the door to take the seeds from the dandelions that grow on the flats. The Rocky River estate, which was purchased some time ago and added to the chase, is one of the most beautiful spots on Kangaroo Island, and it is made more beautiful for those who love such things by the fact that bird and beast are unmolested and confiding, and the native bush is untouched. In order to preserve this natural loveliness a firebreak six_ miles long lias been introduced. This is not only a utilitarian feature, but greatly enhances the aesthetic 'delights of the place. An area of 140 acres of grass land has been provided for the animals, for which fourteen acres of _ natural bush have been enclosed with high fences. Here are forty tame wallabies and some big kangaroos. These animals are fed every evening by the ranger to get them accustomed to man. They are now so tame that they can be approached within a few feet, but all are living their natural lives. MALLEE FOWL TRANSPORTED. Recently the members of the board realised one of its ambitions in > safely transporting to their own special enclosure a pair of mallee fowl. High hopes are entertained that they may become,the parents of a race that will some day populate the quiet places of the reserve. Other birds and animals live around the homestead. There are Cape Barron geese and native hears, and rat kangaroos burrow in the sandhills on fhe borders of the chase. A nursery has been established for native plants, amd several species of wattle and eucalyptus hav© been planted. Much has been accomplished at Flinders Chase, but much remains to be done, for the great work is only in its infancy. Schemes of systematic planting will bo carried out, and more birds and animals liberated. “We can never replace the extinct einu,” laments Professor Wood Jones; “his bones have been found in the caves of the island, hut wo can substitute the_ mainland form in place of that which is lost forever. We can replace tbo wombat, which used to flourish there—-there is immense preservation work ahead.” The Government subsidises to the extent of pound for pound all public contributions to the upkeep of the chase, for the only source of revenue is by the sale of skiiis and live specimens. This splendid Kangaroo Island sanctuary promises to become famous not only ns a beauty spot, hut a home for some of the most wonderful flora and fauna in the world.