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Irwin Reserve: Mining Threat Defeated
14 Sep
Summary
- Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve spans 330,000 acres on Cape York Peninsula.
- A six-year campaign successfully protected the reserve from bauxite mining.
- The reserve now safeguards over 40 species of conservation significance.
Established as a tribute to Steve Irwin's conservation work, the 330,000-acre Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Australia's Cape York Peninsula faced a significant threat from proposed bauxite mining just after its designation. The Australian Government purchased the former cattle property, Bertiehaugh Station, as a living memorial. The Irwin family and Australia Zoo manage the reserve, which includes rainforests, wetlands, and savannas.
The mining proposal, targeting approximately 30,300 acres of the reserve's valuable headwaters and wetlands, sparked a six-year conservation campaign. This effort involved millions of dollars and culminated in the Australian Government passing legislation to protect the reserve. It later received additional protection as a Strategic Environmental Area.
Today, the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is a critical habitat for biodiversity, featuring 35 different ecosystems. It supports over 40 species of conservation significance, including 170 bird species and a large breeding population of saltwater crocodiles. Ongoing research programs with the University of Queensland continue to expand knowledge of the reserve's unique ecosystems and wildlife.
