Flinders Island Safe Haven: Protecting Australia’s Endangered Wildlife

Our very own Flinders Island is set to become a world-class safe haven for Australia’s most endangered wildlife, offering a feral-free sanctuary to protect species at risk of extinction. This conservation initiative is a major step towards habitat restoration and long-term wildlife protection.

Why the Flinders Island Safe Haven Project is Important?

South Australia is home to over 1,100 threatened plant and animal species, with 73 species already extinct due to habitat loss and invasive species. The Flinders Island Safe Haven Project aims to reverse biodiversity decline by providing a secure, well-managed conservation area for threatened wildlife.

This ambitious conservation effort is backed by a $4.8 million investment, including:

• $3.8 million from the Federal Government’s Saving Our Native Species program
• $1 million from the South Australian Government via the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

Jonathan Clark, General Manager of the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, underscores the significance of this project:

“This is a significant opportunity to lead by example in South Australia to develop and test best-practice methods for large-scale island conservation, including feral cat and rodent control.”

“We are proud to work closely with the Woolfords and the local Elliston community to ensure Flinders Island remains a safe haven for wildlife and a climate-critical habitat for future generations.”

What are the Priority Species for Reintroduction?

A detailed scientific assessment has been conducted to determine the best species for reintroduction, prioritising those that need secure, predator-free environments to thrive.

There has been some public discussion regarding the species being introduced. To clarify, while the tammar wallaby was once present on Flinders Island, it is not part of this project. Instead, the focus is on species underrepresented in protected areas that require urgent conservation measures.

As part of this project, the following priority species have been identified:

🦘 Banded hare-wallaby – Once widespread across Australia, now only found in a few isolated locations.

🦡 Dibbler – A rare, carnivorous marsupial requiring predator-free environments for survival.

🦨 Nuyts/southern brown bandicoot – A key species for maintaining biodiversity and improving ecosystem health through natural foraging behaviours.

The final list of species is yet to be confirmed, but the overarching goal is to establish a thriving, protected habitat on Flinders Island.

A Model for Future Conservation Projects

The Flinders Island Safe Haven Project is more than just a local conservation effort; it serves as a model for sustainable wildlife recovery in Australia. Through private land conservation, government investment, and dedicated long-term management, this initiative will ensure that Flinders Island remains a biodiversity hotspot.

We appreciate the ongoing support from conservationists, ecologists, and the wider community in making the Flinders Island Safe Haven Project a success. By working together, we can secure the future of Australia’s most endangered species.

Stay updated on the Flinders Island Safe Haven progress and follow our journey towards a thriving, feral-free Flinders Island!