Kakadu National park

1. Kakadu National park National Park is located within the Northern Territory of Australian. The name Kakadu itself comes from the mispronunciation of ‘’Gaagudju’’, which is the name of an Aboriginal language formerly spoken in the northern part of the Park. The park covers an area of 19,804 km, almost extending 200 kilometres from north to south. The park also covers 100 kilometres from east to west. Kakadu National Park has four rivers running through it. These rivers names are the following. - East Alligator River - West Alligator River - Wildman River - South Alligator River

2. Explanation of Native flora and fauna and how it helps nourish and preserve the national park. Kakadu national park is known amongst the richest parks located in northern Australia. Kakadu national park is home to more than 1700 flora and fauna species to have been recorded. This has resulted to Kakadu’s wide diversity in habitats and geological landforms. Kakadu is too considered to be one of the world’s most ‘weed free’ national parks. Certain managements must take place so that Kakadu national park is nourished and preserved so that the future generations can admire and enjoy the gift of nature this park offers. Fire management Managing fire effectively such as - Promoting traditional Aboriginal ways of burning fire within the park. - Restrict fires from spreading across the national park. • Maintaining biodiversity of species and habitats. Weed management Weeds are plants which are not native to Kakadu. These plants do not provide appropriate shelter and food for the wildlife therefore for management purposes actions such as minimising weed invasion must take place for maintenance of the national park. Management of feral animals Management of feral animals is goal in ensuring Kakadu national park is physically beautiful. Feral animals such as the Buffalo were introduced by non-Aboriginals. Feral animals specifically the Buffalo has caused obvious damage in Kakadu national park. Over the years the Buffalo population grew in huge proportions. The animal’s size, weight and huge hooves squashed the soil. This stoped the growth of flora and caused erosion.

3. What have been some government initiatives to help overcome the problems of introduced species The Australian government has invested in the development of policies and programs in addressing the problem of introduced species. The rabbit control program was introduced to Kakadu in 1989. Results have indicated a huge reduction in rabbit population, a noticeable improvement in vegetation recovery and a reduction in introduced predator numbers, A program known as ‘capture recapture’ will assist with feral cat control. A program to collar cats with a GSP and re-releasing the animal back into the national park to track down the animals range and use if microhabitat.

4. List possible solutions to assist the Kakadu national park overcome this problem • Capture recapture program on mobile animals • Advertisement of the damage caused by introduced species for better understanding in the growing problem. • To apply more effective management programs

5. Bibliography http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/management/programs/nature.html http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/management/programs/fire.html http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/management/programs/weeds.html http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/management/programs/feral-animals.html