991,548
edits
Changes
mLine 13:
Line 13: − + − + − + − + Line 25:
Line 25: + + + +
KS update 1.4
More than half of the island has never been cleared of vegetation, and a quarter of it is conserved in [[National Park]]s, Conservation Parks, and five [[Wilderness]] Protection Areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/kisland.html|publisher=South Australian Government Department for Environment and Heritage|title=South Australian National Parks & Reserves - Kangaroo Island Region|accessdate=2008-07-03|archive-date=2008-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728053133/http://environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/kisland.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The main protected areas are:
More than half of the island has never been cleared of vegetation, and a quarter of it is conserved in [[National Park]]s, Conservation Parks, and five [[Wilderness]] Protection Areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/kisland.html|publisher=South Australian Government Department for Environment and Heritage|title=South Australian National Parks & Reserves - Kangaroo Island Region|accessdate=2008-07-03|archive-date=2008-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728053133/http://environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/kisland.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The main protected areas are:
* [[Flinders Chase National Park]]
* [[Flinders Chase National Park]]
* Seal Bay Conservation Park
* [[Seal Bay Conservation Park]]
* Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park
* [[Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park]]
* Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area
* [[Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area]]
* Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
* [[Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area]]
Because of its isolation from mainland Australia, [[fox]]es and [[rabbit]]s are not there. People are [[forbidden]] to bring them into the island. Registration and microchipping of cats is compulsory.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Kangaroo Island Council|url=http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Dog_and_Cat_Management_Plan_2005_MD_App.pdf|title=Dog and Cat Management Plan|year=2005|accessdate=2008-07-03|archive-date=2009-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518205825/http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Dog_and_Cat_Management_Plan_2005_MD_App.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Because of its isolation from mainland Australia, [[fox]]es and [[rabbit]]s are not there. People are [[forbidden]] to bring them into the island. Registration and microchipping of cats is compulsory.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Kangaroo Island Council|url=http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Dog_and_Cat_Management_Plan_2005_MD_App.pdf|title=Dog and Cat Management Plan|year=2005|accessdate=2008-07-03|archive-date=2009-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518205825/http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Dog_and_Cat_Management_Plan_2005_MD_App.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Tourism ==
== Tourism ==
The island is a major tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomm.info/reports_factsheets/visitor_exit_surveys/index.aspx|title=Visitor Exit Surveys|date=2005–2006|accessdate=2007-06-22|author=Kangaroo Island Tourism Optimisation Model|archive-date=2007-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521004636/http://www.tomm.info/reports_factsheets/visitor_exit_surveys/index.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The island is a major tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomm.info/reports_factsheets/visitor_exit_surveys/index.aspx|title=Visitor Exit Surveys|date=2005–2006|accessdate=2007-06-22|author=Kangaroo Island Tourism Optimisation Model|archive-date=2007-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521004636/http://www.tomm.info/reports_factsheets/visitor_exit_surveys/index.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== 2019-2020 bushfires ==
In December 2019 a number of lightning strikes started a small [[bushfire]] on the island. This quickly grew into a massive fire, which burned {{cvt|200,000|ha}}, about half of the island. Two people were killed, 900 homes burned down, thousands of farm animals killed, and the loss of native animals and their habitat.<ref name="abc25">{{Cite web|last=Donnellan|first=Angelique|date=13 December 2025|title=From devastation to wonder as Kangaroo Island bushfires lead to cave discoveries|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-13/more-than-150-caves-discovered-in-ki-after-devastating-bushfires/106095942|access-date=12 May 2025|website=ABC News}}</ref> One third of the island was protected area, and this was largely burnt by very hot fires. Scientists have identified 23 animal species and 31 plant species which have been threatened by the fire. Some of these species are only found on the island.<ref name="dcceew">{{Cite web|date=16 February 2026|title=Kangaroo Island - Impacts of the 2019–20 bushfires|url=https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/regional-delivery-program/kangaroo-island|access-date=12 May 2026|website=Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water}}</ref> For example, the [[Kangaroo Island dunnart]], a small marsupial, has had 95% of its habitat destroyed. The Australian Government will spend $8,000,000 on projects to help wildlife and plants recover from the fires.<ref name="dcceew"/>
== Limestone caves ==
There were about 130 limestone caves known on the island. These were formed two million years ago. One cave, at Kelly Hill, is open for people to visit. The 2019 bushfire cleared away much of the trees and shrubs on the island. Scientists were able to find the entrances to 150 new caves, including a large cave that has been named [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]]. They have also discovered insects, invertebrates, and spiders that have adapted to life in total darkness. These are being studied as many of these may be new unknown species.<ref name="abc25"/>
== Kangaroo Island Media ==
== Kangaroo Island Media ==