Wamsley Sanctuary
WAMSLEY SANCTUARY
Wamsley Sanctuary, 2230 acres, was taken over by us in 2022, located in the Mallee area, which was something we had been searching for for some time. We had visited the area to purchase some Bettongs and took the opportunity to view the property whilst there. We knew that having the sanctuary would mean we were protecting a piece of the Mallee.
So many other aspects came into our decision –
- the property borders on the Brookfield Conservation Park, which has a wide array of native wildlife
- 2010, saw 11 reptile species recorded and another 6 sighted by us on the very first visit
- knowledge that Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats are in the area (a love of ours)
- sighting a Malleefowl (the first we had seen in the wild)
meant this property was a sure fit for us!
The property houses the nationally vulnerable Malleefowls, as well as Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats, Inland Carpet Pythons both of which are now listed as threatened species.
Numbers are continuing to grow with the species of reptiles discovered, now sitting at 31 and the bird species at 83.
Wamsley has been named with permission and in honour of the great work the Godfather of Conservation, John Wamsley has completed in Australia, helping to save native wildlife from extinction. John has inspired many others (including us) to follow in his footsteps by fencing properties in order to keep cats and foxes out.
Blanchetown Bushland Reserve, is a heritage listed site, which is divided into 11 properties, covers 25,000 acres and is a gated community, only being able to be accessed by the individual owners, who are part of the management team.
Some history on Brookfield Conservation Park –
- In 1971, originally known as Glen Leslie Station was purchased by Chicago Zoological Society as a conservation reserve specifically for Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats and renamed Brookfield Zoo Reserve
- In 1977 the Zoo Reserve was gifted to Government of South Australia
- In July 1978, Brookfield Conservation Park was officially proclaimed under the National Parks & Wildlife Act 1972
Work to date (August 2023) –
- Establishing tile grids (for borrowing species), clean up of illegally dumped rubbish (hoping to have someone come on board to assist with this, Nature Foundation and Recycling businesses declined), opening up old tracks to allow additional access, monitoring Malleefowl nests, active wombat burrows, wildlife and feral animals.
Size: 2230 acres Birds: 102 Mammals: 9
Reptiles: 35 Amphibians: 0 Plants 143 Insects 63
