Remote South Australian island to become a haven for the rehabilitation of endangered species

At nearly 4000 hectares, Flinders Island is South Australia’s fourth largest island and is surrounded by the Investigator Group Marine Park protected area. It features 50 kilometres of diverse coastline and native vegetation covering about 75 per cent of the island, making it an ideal haven for some of our threatened species.

This project will commence shortly with a pest eradication program to allow for the reintroduction of a number of threatened native animals, some of which once inhabited the island.

The island is privately-owned by the Woolford family, who are dedicated to creating a space for threatened species and are working with a skilled team of ecologists to enhance the island’s ecosystem. Currently, visitors from around the world visit the island to appreciate its stunning natural environment and play a key role in protecting the island from unwanted pests and diseases.

Targeted eradication operations will run until December 2025 in an attempt to rid the island of feral cats, rats and mice. The baiting operations will occur outside of shorebird and seabird breeding seasons.

Subfossil remains of native mammals, including the tammar wallaby and southern brown bandicoot, indicate the diverse range of small mammals that once inhabited the island but became extinct there after the pests were introduced in the mid-1900s.

In South Australia, more than 1,100 plants and animal species are listed as threatened under SA’s National Parks and Wildlife Act. Since European settlement, an estimated 73 species have become extinct in South Australia.

The Australian Government is investing $3.8 million for the project under the $224 million Saving Our Native Species program, with the remaining $1 million provided by the South Australian Government through the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

Department for Environment and Water Flinders Island Safe Haven project manager Liz McTaggart said the project was vital because there were few places in Australia that provided such a unique opportunity to protect important native wildlife.

"South Australia’s fourth largest island will be secured into Australia’s network of safe havens for endangered species and these efforts will help ensure that the animals thrive into the future," Ms McTaggart said.

"This project is a wonderful partnership between the Australian Government, South Australian Government, Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board and the Woolford family to stimulate conservation while continuing to provide a unique nature-based tourism opportunity."

Jonas Woolford said his family was very excited about the opportunity to convert Flinders Island into a safe haven.

"It has been many years in the planning for us, transitioning from farming to tourism and conservation," Mr Woolford said.

"We really appreciate collaborating with the Commonwealth and South Australian governments to achieve this massive project and mutual objective.

"Sharing the conservation results with a like-minded community is our intention - being mindful that to ensure the legacy and investment of this project, biosecurity by us and all visitors is our ongoing responsibility."