Serendip Sanctuary
Serendip Sanctuary | |
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![]() Serendip Sanctuary Landscape | |
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Type | Wildlife Park |
Location | Victoria |
Coordinates | 38°00′11″S144°24′32″E/ 38.003°S 144.409°E |
Area | 250 ha (620 acres) |
Established | 1959 |
Owned by | State Government of Victoria |
Status | Open |
Terrain | Bushland, grassy woodlands, wetlands |
Vegetation | Australian native plants |
Facilities | Toilets, walking paths, picnic areas, bird hides, flight aviaries, visitors centre, seating and shelters |
Website | Parks Victoria |
Serendip Sanctuaryis a 250 ha (620 acres) protected area inVictoria,Australia, near theYou Yangsand the town ofLara,some 22 km (14 mi) north ofGeelongand 60 km (37 mi) south-west ofMelbourne.[1]Originally used for farming and other purposes, it was purchased in 1959 by theState Government of Victoriafor wildlife research and the captive management andbreedingof species threatened in Victoria, such as thebrolga,magpie goose,Australian bustard,andbush stone-curlew.The sanctuary contains many different types ofwetlandand is home to many plant species as well, such asriver red gums,tall spikerush, andtussock grass.Serendip now focuses more on environmental education about thefloraandfaunaof the wetlands and open grassywoodlandsof the Volcanic Western Plains of Victoria. It was opened to the public in 1991 and is now managed byParks Victoria.[1]
Background and origins
[edit]Serendip Sanctuary is located in the traditional country of theWadawurrungpeople.[2]Wadawurrung country covers over 10,000 km2(3,900 sq mi) from theGreat Dividing Rangeto theSouth Coast,including theGeelongandBallaratgreater districts.[3]According to theDreamtimelegend, Wadawurrung country was created over 60,000 years ago, when ‘Bunjil’, awedge-tailed eagle,summoned six men, all who were birds, to help create the land, the people and all living organisms.[4]Bunjil taught the people social laws and rules, and how to respect the land of his creation. Once Bunjil had finished, he gathered his wives and his children, ordering ‘Belin-Belin’, who was in charge of the winds, to release a wind so strong it created the trees and plants.[4]Belin-Belin's final release of wind was so strong it carriedBunjiland his family to the heavens. Bunjil became the star, Altair and his wives became stars on either side of him.[4]
History
[edit]The first European settlers arrived in Geelong in 1836, entering Wadawurrung country.[4]The rapidcolonisationintroduced a wave of disruption on the land, people, animals and culture. Country dispossession, language erasure and cultural nomenclature diminished Wadawurrung culture.[5]The Wadawurrung population began to perish following the introduction of foreigndiseaseincludingsmallpox,plagues,and sexually transmitted diseases that were carried by the European settlers and their animals.[3]Native animals became endangered from the introduction ofexotic animalssuch asrabbits,foxes,anddogsthat preyed on traditional animals and food vegetation resources. Wadawurrung culture never recovered from the rapid colonisation and subsequent environmental, health and culture changes, thus diminished their prevalence as a result.[5]
Facilities
[edit]Serendip Sanctuary includes facilities for recreational, educational and bird watching purposes.[2]Facilities include:
- Barbecue area
- Toilets
- Walking trails
- Outdoor learning centre
- Classroom
- Picnic area
- Bird hides
- Flight aviaries
Tourism
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Serendip_Sanctuary_panorama_from_the_sky.jpg/279px-Serendip_Sanctuary_panorama_from_the_sky.jpg)
Serendip offers an extensive range of activities for visitors, includingbird watching,bushwalks, tours, and the use ofrecreationalareas.[2]There are four interconnecting walking tracks throughout the park for viewing of wildlife. Parks Victoria offers a free Junior Ranger's Program at Serendip, where families with young children can partake in educational park-based activities during school holidays and weekends.[6][2]
Activities
[edit]Bird watching
[edit]Serendip Sanctuary's most popular tourist activity isbird watching.[7]Serendip is home to over 150 species of native birds, including threatened and endangered species. The sanctuary provides prime bird watching sites for visitors with accessible bird hides and flight aviaries along each trail.[7]The Marshland Bird Hide and Billabong Bird Hide both look out to the marshlands. The Wader Bird Hide looks over the west side of Lake Serendip. The Farm Dam Bird Hides' are located east of the North Arm lake. The flight aviaries are positioned on the Wildlife Walk observing both wetland and dry-land bird species.[1]
Wildlife tour
[edit]Serendip's Wildlife Tours are run generally one Saturday per month, and every Saturday during the Australian summer. The tour is a free and educational-based guided walk on the Wildlife Walk track, focused on habitat and wildlife information about the Western Volcanic Plains. The tour is supervised and run by Serendip Sanctuary's volunteer park guides. The Wildlife Tour takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.[2]
Wildlife walk
[edit]Serendip's Wildlife Walk is their most popular trail for visitors, providing prime viewing and encounters with a large variety of nativewildlife.[2]The Wildlife Walk is an easy 1.5 km (0.93 mi) circuit and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.[2]
Wader walk
[edit]Serendip's Wader Walk is a quieter alternative to the Wildlife Walk.[2]The walk has native wildlife viewing opportunities with the Waderbird hidealong the track, as well as nativeAustralian bushlandviews. A return walk on the Wader track is 3 km (1.9 mi) and takes an hour to complete.[2]
Junior Ranger's Program
[edit]Parks Victoriaruns the Junior Ranger Program at Serendip for young children and students. Junior Rangers is a free program run during school holidays and certain weekends, allowing children to explore Serendip while accompanied by a park ranger.[2]Some of the ranger-guided activities includewetlandwalks, fire recovery, and various talks to discover and learn about different animals and habitats. The Ranger Program focuses on various essential themes including caring for the environment, exploringecosystems,habitats,park management, plants and animal facts,fire,tracks and connections between humans and the environment.[2]
Wildlife protection
[edit]Serendip is involved with various breeding programs forendangeredbird and animal species. The park provides a holding facility forcaptive breedingand management of theeastern barred bandicootas part of the National Recovery Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.[8][9]Serendip is involved with repopulation of various bird species including themagpie goose,Australian bustard,and thebrolga.[10]The park provides a captive breeding program for these bird species to rehabilitate rare or near-extinct birds on the Western Plains.[2]
National Recovery Plan For The Eastern Barred Bandicoot
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Perameles_gunni.jpg/220px-Perameles_gunni.jpg)
Serendip's participation in the National Recovery Plan for theeastern barred bandicootaims to minimise the probability of extinction by reintroducing self-sustaining populations.[11]The eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) is a smallmarsupialnative to south-eastern Australia, mainlyTasmaniaand south-westernVictoria.The mainland species is recognised as ‘Endangered’ under theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999and ‘Threatened’ under theVictorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[12]Serendip Sanctuary is an identified holding site for the eastern barred bandicoot captive breeding initiative within the National Recovery Plan to increase their overall captive population. The predominant ecosystems of grassy woodlands andwetlandsat Serendip Sanctuary are reflective of the original eastern barred bandicoot habitat, and therefore creating an optimal site for ease of repopulation.[11]Serendip Sanctuary's predator-proof fence is a major contributor to recovery effort, protecting captive and re-introduced populations from foxes as the main predator.[12]
Successful repopulation numbers of the eastern barred bandicoot at Serendip Sanctuary have been used for further research into conservation and breeding patterns.[12]In 2018, a study was conducted at theWerribee Open Range ZooinVictoriato investigate whether captive breeding programs of the eastern barred bandicoot can improve reproduction numbers by allowing females to choose their male partner for mating.[12]Serendip Sanctuary facilitated the transfer of eastern barred bandicoots for the study and thus contributed to necessary research into correcting and improving captive breeding programs for increased successful repopulation rates.[12]
Bush Stone Curlew breeding program
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Bush_Stone-Curlew.jpg/220px-Bush_Stone-Curlew.jpg)
Serendip Sanctuary is involved in the repopulation and captive breeding initiatives of thebush stone-curlew(Burhinus grallarius).[2]The bush stone-curlew is considered ‘Near Threatened’ by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature.[13][14]Their declining populations are primarily due to predation byfoxes,habitat clearance and destruction.[14]The grassy woodlands and native under-storeys at Serendip Sanctuary are optimal habitat locations for the bush stone-curlew.[13]Captive breeding at Serendip Sanctuary has proven successful, contributing to overall conservation efforts. The captive bred birds are transferred to Mount Rothwell Biodiversity and Interpretation Centre where there is a larger predator-proof environment to continue captive breeding.[2][14]
Cape Barren goose breeding program
[edit]The Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae), was part of the first successful bird breeding programs at Serendip Sanctuary.[2]The Cape Barren goose population faced rapid decline in the 1950s, almost close to reaching extinction. Various breeding programs have repopulated Cape Barren goose to a level where they are now considered stable, however their overall population remains one of the rarest geese.[15]Serendip Sanctuary provides an ideal habitat for captive breeding, replicating the Cape Barren goose natural habitat in areas of pasture,tussock grassand low scrub.[15]
Magpie geese breeding program
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Magpie_Geese_June09_02.jpg/220px-Magpie_Geese_June09_02.jpg)
Serendip Sanctuary has been involved in the repopulation and reintroduction ofmagpie geese(Anseranas semipalmata), inVictoria.[16]In the early 1900s, magpie goose populations had seriously declined primarily from loss ofwetlandhabitats fromdroughts,huntingandpredationby foxes.[17]Magpie geese were reintroduced at several locations in south-east Australia, including Serendip Sanctuary in 1964.[18]15 adult magpie geese were supplied to Serendip Sanctuary, with 102 additional birds in 1965. The first laying of eggs at Serendip was recorded in 1968 and between 1971 and 1984, 742 Magpie Geese hatched at Serendip and were released toTower Hill,Kyabram,Phillip Island,Sale, Kerang, and Healesville in Victoria andBool Lagoonin South Australia.[18]Serendip Sanctuary is one of three consistently active release sites for magpie geese captive breeding.[18]
Australian bustard breeding program
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Australian_Bustard_In_Bush.jpg/220px-Australian_Bustard_In_Bush.jpg)
One of Serendip Sanctuary's initial breeding programs included the reintroduction of the Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis).[19]The program launched in the 1960s to study, breed and reintroduce the fallen Australian bustard populations. Serendip Sanctuary was used to recreate the bustard's naturallek mating systemin captivity.[19]In lek mating systems, male bustards defend small clustered areas that female bustards visit for the purpose of mating.[19][20]In such systems, males are confined together at specific sites for display, where females visit to select their mating partner.[20]Researchers at Serendip Sanctuary recreated the lek mating system in captivity by constructing an enclosure that allowed female bustards to enter and select a male mating partner, but separated the males from direct contact.[20]
Brolga breeding program
[edit]Serendip Sanctuary has a breeding program for the native brolga (Antigone rubicunda).[21][22]In recent decades, there has been a consistent decline in brolga populations within south-eastern Australia mainly due to habitat loss and destruction, collision with utility lines, subdivision of habitats andpredationof feral animals including foxes.[21]Serendip Sanctuary's rehabilitation and captive breeding procedures follow a three-step process from birth, characterised by age.[22]After 24 hours in the brooder post birth, brolgas are placed in an enclosed room with a heater in close range.[22]From 2 days old, brolgas are placed in larger areas as growth progresses, with a heater being raised higher in height.[22]Finally, from 4–5 months old, brolgas are left permanently outside in a fully open enclosure, still with access to a heater before being completely released into the wild.[22]Intense monitoring from birth till 4–5 months old is paramount due to their high fragility during this time, therefore monitoring increases the successful repopulation.[22]
Flora and fauna
[edit]Serendip is positioned within the grassy woodlands and wetlands in the Volcanic Western Plains of Victoria. Thebiodiversityamong these environments allows many nativefloraeto thrive.[23]Plant species that exist within Serendip include a variety oftrees,shrubs,graminoids,andferns.Some of these includeAustral bracken,wattle,narrow-leaved peppermint,yellow boxandred river gum trees,tussock grassandwater ribbon arrow grass.[23]
There is a diverse range of fauna within Serendip due to the various ecological habitats including the wetlands and grassy woodlands. Animal species range from birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.[24]The most prevalent animals include the Australian bustard, brolga, eastern grey kangaroo, swamp wallaby, herons, ducks and magpie geese.[24]
Ecosystems
[edit]Serendip is composed of wetland and grassy woodlandecosystemsallowing for differentfloraandfaunaspecies to thrive in diverse habitats.[25]The park exhibits the open wetlands of the Volcanic Western Plain through its three main wetland types; open wetland, shallow freshwater wetland andmarshland.[25][2]The permanent open wetland located on the North Arm supportsfishpopulations providing food for different breeds of fishing birds within Serendip.[25][2]The shallow freshwater wetland is ephemeral to Serendip, with a pattern ofdesiccationevery 2–3 years.[25][2]This specific wetland is dependent on water flow from theYou Yangswater catchment. Serendip has marshland (or marsh wetlands), forming transitions between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.[25][2]The marshlands consist of varying depth, dominated by copious grasses, ruses and reeds.[26]
Grassy woodlands are another prime ecosystem within Serendip.[25]These areas are limited within the Victorian Volcanic Plain due to farming practises, burning regimes and weed invasion, making Serendip's grassy woodlands of high conservation value.[25]Serendip's grassy woodlands are primarily made up of eucalypts creating an open tree canopy with a native understorey.[25]
References
[edit]- ^abc"Park Notes: Serendip Sanctuary"(PDF).chipa.org.au.Parks Victoria. June 2011.Retrieved30 November2019.
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrs"Serendip Sanctuary".www.parks.vic.gov.au.Retrieved21 April2021.
- ^abCahir, Fred (2012).Black Gold: Aboriginal People on the Goldfields of Victoria, 1850-1870.ANU Press.doi:10.26530/oapen_459855.ISBN978-1-921862-95-3.
- ^abcdJones, David; Roös, Phillip, eds. (2019).Geelong's Changing Landscape.doi:10.1071/9780643103610.ISBN9780643103610.S2CID199253725.
- ^abCahir, Fred; Kerin, Rani; Rippon, Kylie (December 2019)."The Aboriginal Adjustment Movement in Colonial Victoria".Journal of Religious History.43(4): 478–494.doi:10.1111/1467-9809.12630.ISSN0022-4227.S2CID212976958.
- ^"Junior Rangers".www.parks.vic.gov.au.Retrieved1 August2024.
- ^abTaylor, Sue (2013).Best 100 Birdwatching Sites in Australia.Australia: UNSW Press.
- ^"National Recovery Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland) Perameles gunnii unnamed subspecies".Australian Government: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
- ^"Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment".Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.Retrieved21 April2021.
- ^Nye, Errol R.; Dickman, Chris R.; Kingsford, Richard T. (March 2007)."A wild goose chase—temporal and spatial variation in the distribution of the Magpie Goose ( Anseranas semipalmata ) in Australia".Emu - Austral Ornithology.107(1): 28–37.doi:10.1071/MU05012.ISSN0158-4197.S2CID86379730.
- ^abHill, R., Winnard, A., & Watson, M. (2010). National Recovery Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland) Perameles gunnii unnamed subspecies. Melbourne, Australia: Department of Sustainability and Environment.
- ^abcdeHartnett, C. M., Parrott, M. L., Mulder, R. A., Coulson, G., & Magrath, M. J. (2018). Opportunity for female mate choice improves reproductive outcomes in the conservation breeding program of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 199 (1), 67-74.
- ^abMurialdo, G. R., Kleisner, K. M., Wolfenden, J., & Old, J. M. (2015). Habitat preferences of an endangered species in developing landscapes: the bush stone-curlew on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia. Australian Zoologist, 37(3), 294-301.
- ^abcSWIFFT. (2021) Bush Stone-Curlew. Retrieved fromhttps://www.swifft.net.au/cb_pages/sp_bush_stone-curlew.php
- ^abAustralian Museum. (2021). Cape Barren Goose. Retrieved fromhttps://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/cape-barren-goose/
- ^Nye, E. R., Dickman, C. R., & Kingsford, R. T. (2007). A wild goose chase—temporal and spatial variation in the distribution of the Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) in Australia. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 107(1), 28–37.doi:10.1071/mu05012
- ^Dorfman, E., & Nye, E. (2000). Conserving Tropical Waterbirds. Retrieved fromhttps://www.environment.gov.au/science/supervising-scientist/publications/internal-reports/conserving-tropical-waterbirds
- ^abcCowling, S. J., and White, D. M. (1972). Breeding of the Magpie Goose at the Serendip Wildlife Research Station. Emu 72(1), 28–29.doi:10.1071/MU972022e
- ^abcMorales, M. B., Jiguet, F., & Arroyo, B. (2001) Exploded leks: What bustards can teach us. Ardeola: International Journal of Ornithology, 48(1), 85-98.
- ^abcD’Elia, J. (2010). Evolution of Avian Conservation Breeding With Insights for Addressing the Current Extinction Crisis. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, 1(2), 189-210.doi:10.3996/062010-JFWM-017
- ^abNevard, T. D., Franklin, D. C., Leiper, I., Archibald, G., & Garnett, S. T. (2019). Agriculture, brolgas and Australian sarus cranes on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 25(4), 377-385.doi:10.1071/PC18081
- ^abcdefVeyret, L. (2006). Brolga (Grus rubicunda) Husbandry and Hand Raising. Retrieved fromhttps://www.awrc.org.au
- ^ab"Field Guide | Biodiversity of the Western Volcanic Plains".bwvp.ecolinc.vic.edu.au.Retrieved21 April2021.
- ^abVictoria State Government. (2021). Biodiversity of the Western Volcanic Plains. Retrieved fromhttps://bwvp.ecolinc.vic.edu.au/fieldguide?type=flora&field_type_tid=All&field_flora_type_tid=424&field_group_tid_selective=All
- ^abcdefghAustralian Government. (2011). Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland. Retrieved from-https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/e97c2d51-08f2-45e0-9d2f-f0d277c836fa/files/grasslands-victoria.pdf
- ^The Wetlands Initiative. (2016). What is a wetland?. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wetlands-initiative.org/privacy-policy
External links
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