The phrase “pearl of nature” for a national park in Australia is taken literally. Its territory is enclosed in a natural frame of bizarre rocks, shielding flora and fauna from the dangers of the outside world. Among the attractions of Australia there are many protected areas, the purpose of which is to protect the natural landscapes, rare inhabitants of the planet. Kakadu National Park is also a protected area.
History of Kakadu Park
The Arnhem Land Peninsula has a unique ecosystem with a subequatorial climate. A relatively small area of 19,804 km² includes the South Alligator River, heathlands, rain and eucalyptus forests, and unique geological formations. The relief is dominated by hills interspersed with gentle valleys.
Kakadu National Park acquired its status in 1999, its formation began in 1976, in 1981 the material was collected, on the basis of which it was later decided to include it in the UNESCO lists. It is 171 kilometers from the city of Darwin, the territory is partly Aboriginal owned and leased from them by the Commonwealth of Australia.
The name of the park was the result of a linguistic error in which the Europeans read Gagadju in the Aboriginal language as the more familiar “cockatoo. The name caught on and nothing was changed.
The Arnhem Land Peninsula and the entire Northern Territory were already inhabited by various tribes 40,000 years ago. Archaeological finds, including fragments of objects and petroglyphs, tell us about their way of life and level of culture. Seafarers began to visit Australia and the islands of the archipelago long ago, but the official discovery of the continent was made in the 17th century by Dutch explorers.
The 19th and 20th centuries were marked by the development of the mining industry, the appearance of telegraph lines, railroads, and the development of gold-bearing veins. The numbers of endemic plants and animals began to decline rapidly, as did the indigenous population. In order to preserve this unique corner of nature and protect it from the consequences of economic activity, a nature reserve was created.
Animals and plants in Kakadu Park
The marsupials, which are characteristic of the entire territory of the continent, make up the main part. The park is home to about 74 species, including:
- wallaby;
- several subspecies of kangaroo;
- marsupial marten;
- bandicoot;
- black-footed tree rat,
- dugong;
- flying fox.
Unfortunately, even the status of a protected area cannot fully protect the species and there has been a gradual decline in populations.
On the territory nests and winters 280 species of birds. Among them are many rare and endangered, they are not able to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions of the environment and can only live in strictly delineated boundaries with a special climate.
These include:
- guldova amadina;
- the bare-eyed pigeon;
- red hawk;
- rainbow pitta;
- hooded singing parrot;
- black-headed rosette;
- single-colored honeydew;
- flycatchers;
- sharp-tailed grass amadin.
The long list of reptiles numbers 117 species. The number of some lizards and snakes decreased significantly after the aga toad was introduced into Australia. With its emergence, the crocodile population has suffered, because they, unable to restrain their hunting instinct, swallow toads and die from their strong venom.
The park is also home to 25 subspecies of frogs, a freshwater crocodile, and 53 species of fish. In the waters of the reserve there is also a rare white perch, which is ranked as a symbol of the country.
The plant world is as diverse as the animal world. Giant banyan trees, eucalyptus, mangroves, rare herbs, tea tree, and halophytic succulents grow here. Of the 47 species of mangroves that are described in botanical directories, 39 grow in the reserve.
Mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem, serving as food and stabilizing the shoreline.
Interesting facts about Kakadu National Park
Not only rare animals and birds are found in the park, the reserve preserves unique landscapes and geological formations.
The tour is interesting to look at:
- Jim Jim Falls, a single stream falling from a height of 200 meters;
- rocky remnants of bizarre shapes sculpted by nature;
- the sudden change of landscapes;
- glades of huge termites;
- colonies of flying foxes.
At the tour, they necessarily tell you that unique drawings have been found in the caves of the reserve, where the figures are marked and all the bones and articulations are accurately written out, like an X-ray picture.
There are several waterfalls, but in the dry season they resemble silvery brooks, leisurely flowing in the middle of a powerful channel, but in the rainy season it is almost impossible to get to them. Woolwong Swamp is the best place to watch waterbirds.
Kakadu National Park on a map of Australia is almost entirely painted blue. An extensive network of res, streams, lakes, and marshes is home to a great variety of insects. Entomologists sometimes encounter and describe completely new species that do not exist outside the reserve.
Information for visitors to Kakadu Park
There is a fee to visit the park, the ticket price is 25 Australian dollars, opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm. If you plan to spend several days exploring the park, you can comfortably settle in one of the hotels in Jabiru. The village has restaurants, stores, bars and an information center that will answer all questions, tell you about the sights and pick up the tour.
Kakadu National Park preserves the pristine nature of Australia, allowing the preservation of rare species of animals and plants of the mainland.
