When you really think about it, Noah’s Ark is the first ever ‘Save the Species’ project. Well, guess what? Tasmania has its own Noah’s Ark, and it is…drum rolls please – Maria Island! We can sniff your curiosity in the air. Come along, let us take a jaunty stroll through why Maria Island in Tasmania is affectionately dubbed ‘Noah's Ark.’
Sanctuary For A Variety Of Animals And Birds
As we all know, Noah’s legendary ark was mainly built to ensure the protection and preservation of various life forms on earth. Similarly, Maria Island plays host to many furry, feathery, and scaly inhabitants. Wallabies? Check. Wombats? Check. Rare birds? All over the place! A Maria Island cruise is any nature lover’s dream!
Brace yourself to meet fascinating ringtail possums, adorable pademelons and potoroos, different kinds of lizards, snakes, and frogs. These guys have been on the island for a very long time. Now, let us meet the newbies! The very reason why Maria Island is the ‘Noah’s Ark’ of Tasmania. These endangered species were brought to Maria Island in hopes of saving them from going extinct.
Species like Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll, Forty-Spotted Pardalote were introduced to the island after their habitats on the Tasmanian Island were destroyed or because they faced some other severe threats. The Tasmanian Devils, the literal face of Tasmanian wildlife, was on the brink of extinction, due to a contagious facial tumour disease. Thankfully, Maria Island offered a meticulously controlled and entirely disease-free sanctuary for these iconic creatures.
Maria Island also happens to be a paradise for bird-lovers! Meet the flamboyant green rosellas, the regal wedge-tailed eagle, and many other lovely feathered friends here. For species like the swift parrot, Maria Island is a crucial shelter. As this migratory species’ mainland habitats face destruction, the island's forests provide the needed nesting ground for these colourful birds.
Nature At Its Bountiful Best
Instead of a wooden boat, imagine an island blessed with pristine beaches, crystal clear water, and of course, a diverse range of native flora. That is Maria Island for you! The highlight of the region is doubtlessly the eucalyptus forest. You can spot the enchanting blue and white gums here. Some of these are over 400 years old! Moreover, there are species on the island that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The island’s slopes are covered with vast stretches of dry eucalyptus, offering shade and shelter to a cast of critters. As you tread to the higher ridges, you will be treated to cloud rainforests.
Off the coast of Maria Island, in the deeper waters of the surrounding ocean, is where you will find the incredible kelp forests. These underwater ecosystems are a very important part of the marine environment, and contribute considerably to the overall health of the ecosystem. Towering kelp plants create an underwater canopy. Tell us this isn’t what an enchanted forest looks like! Maria Island is also home to numerous small marshes. Tucked away inland, these pockets of wetlands are biodiversity hotspots.
Measures Taken To Protect The Wildlife
It is not just Mother Nature providing all that is needed for the wild inhabitants that make Maria Island special. Much like Noah and his ark, the dedicated humans here are giving it their all to conserve the island's diverse wildlife.
Conservationists on the island monitor and study the reintroduced species’ populations, contributing valuable insights into their health and behaviour. Like we mentioned earlier, conservationists have undertaken successful reintroduction programs for species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll and Forty-Spotted Pardalote.
Protecting the island from invasive species, be it flora or fauna, is very important in conserving nature. Therefore, conservation efforts on Maria Island also involve ongoing management and control of invasive species. Other than this, humans of Maria Island focus on restoring habitats, educating the visitors, conducting valuable scientific research, and so on.
So there you have it, folks! Maria Island isn't just an island; it's Noah's Ark filled with some of the most adorable creatures in the world; a place where Mother Nature and her creations are allowed to thrive to their fullest. Do check out the famous Maria Island cruises for an unforgettable time here!
Sanctuary For A Variety Of Animals And Birds
As we all know, Noah’s legendary ark was mainly built to ensure the protection and preservation of various life forms on earth. Similarly, Maria Island plays host to many furry, feathery, and scaly inhabitants. Wallabies? Check. Wombats? Check. Rare birds? All over the place! A Maria Island cruise is any nature lover’s dream!
Brace yourself to meet fascinating ringtail possums, adorable pademelons and potoroos, different kinds of lizards, snakes, and frogs. These guys have been on the island for a very long time. Now, let us meet the newbies! The very reason why Maria Island is the ‘Noah’s Ark’ of Tasmania. These endangered species were brought to Maria Island in hopes of saving them from going extinct.
Species like Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll, Forty-Spotted Pardalote were introduced to the island after their habitats on the Tasmanian Island were destroyed or because they faced some other severe threats. The Tasmanian Devils, the literal face of Tasmanian wildlife, was on the brink of extinction, due to a contagious facial tumour disease. Thankfully, Maria Island offered a meticulously controlled and entirely disease-free sanctuary for these iconic creatures.
Maria Island also happens to be a paradise for bird-lovers! Meet the flamboyant green rosellas, the regal wedge-tailed eagle, and many other lovely feathered friends here. For species like the swift parrot, Maria Island is a crucial shelter. As this migratory species’ mainland habitats face destruction, the island's forests provide the needed nesting ground for these colourful birds.
Nature At Its Bountiful Best
Instead of a wooden boat, imagine an island blessed with pristine beaches, crystal clear water, and of course, a diverse range of native flora. That is Maria Island for you! The highlight of the region is doubtlessly the eucalyptus forest. You can spot the enchanting blue and white gums here. Some of these are over 400 years old! Moreover, there are species on the island that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The island’s slopes are covered with vast stretches of dry eucalyptus, offering shade and shelter to a cast of critters. As you tread to the higher ridges, you will be treated to cloud rainforests.
Off the coast of Maria Island, in the deeper waters of the surrounding ocean, is where you will find the incredible kelp forests. These underwater ecosystems are a very important part of the marine environment, and contribute considerably to the overall health of the ecosystem. Towering kelp plants create an underwater canopy. Tell us this isn’t what an enchanted forest looks like! Maria Island is also home to numerous small marshes. Tucked away inland, these pockets of wetlands are biodiversity hotspots.
Measures Taken To Protect The Wildlife
It is not just Mother Nature providing all that is needed for the wild inhabitants that make Maria Island special. Much like Noah and his ark, the dedicated humans here are giving it their all to conserve the island's diverse wildlife.
Conservationists on the island monitor and study the reintroduced species’ populations, contributing valuable insights into their health and behaviour. Like we mentioned earlier, conservationists have undertaken successful reintroduction programs for species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Quoll and Forty-Spotted Pardalote.
Protecting the island from invasive species, be it flora or fauna, is very important in conserving nature. Therefore, conservation efforts on Maria Island also involve ongoing management and control of invasive species. Other than this, humans of Maria Island focus on restoring habitats, educating the visitors, conducting valuable scientific research, and so on.
So there you have it, folks! Maria Island isn't just an island; it's Noah's Ark filled with some of the most adorable creatures in the world; a place where Mother Nature and her creations are allowed to thrive to their fullest. Do check out the famous Maria Island cruises for an unforgettable time here!
