Aussie park you can see ‘extinct’ animals

An Australian national park has opened its doors to tourists to get a glimpse of native species that are locally extinct but survived in small numbers elsewhere.

Tourists and Aussies alike will now be able to see local animals that became extinct at Nungatta in South East Forest National Park.

A 25km-long feral-proof fence now surrounds the area with visitors only allowed to walk around the edge. But plans to allow curious walkers inside are set for later this year.

In the 2000-hectare park will be native species that are locally extinct but survived in small numbers elsewhere, giving them a second chance.

National Parks and Wildlife Service has to develop and install gates that will let walkers in, while keeping predators outside.

The 2,000-hectare Nungatta feral predator-free area in the South-East Forest National Park has been completed.

More than 40 remote cameras will constantly monitoring the area, to detect any potential incursions by feral animals such as feral cats or foxes.

According to the NSW Government, across Australia, feral cats alone are estimated to kill more than 1.5 billion native animals every year.

The critically endangered smoky mouse became the first species to be reintroduced into the area, in September 2024.

The feral predator-free areas project is one of the most significant ecological restoration initiatives in New South Wales’ history. Pictured is the bridled naitail wallaby. Picture: NSW PWS

The project will see the return of mammals such as the shark bay bandicoot (pictured). Picture: NSW PWS

Since then, 79 smoky mice have been released and ecologists recently detected the first juvenile smoky mice known to be born in the area.

The long-footed potoroo, eastern bettong, eastern quoll and New Holland mouse are expected to be reintroduced in the coming years.

Some reintroduced species have not been seen in the wild in NSW for over 100 years. They are now thriving again in the absence of feral cats and foxes. Pictured is the brush-tailed bettong. Picture: NSW PWS

Nungatta, which is one of 10 feral predator-free areas established by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is the first of its kind on the South Coast. It was chosen from more than 35 potential sites due to its suitable habitat for reintroduced species.

The program represents one of NSW’s most significant threatened species restoration initiatives, and is funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and NPWS.

The network of 10 feral predator-free areas will provide ongoing protection from foxes and feral cats, and other feral animal species such as goats and pigs. Pictured is the numbat. Picture: NSW PWS

“The opening of Nungatta demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to protecting and restoring our environment, including native animals and their habitats,” Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said in a statement on Thursday.

“The team at National Parks along with the Saving our Species program has already successfully reintroduced the critically endangered smoky mouse, and with the fence now complete, Nungatta will be a safe haven to even more threatened species.”

Meanwhile, Yiraaldiya National Park, also on the list, has locally extinct native wildlife being reintroduced.

This includes eastern bettongs, koalas, long-nosed bandicoots, and the New Holland mouse. The New Holland mouse was presumed extinct in NSW until it was rediscovered in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in 1967.

“For this reason, there is no access to the park while the feral predator-free area is being established,” NSW National Parks and Wildlife Servicesaid on its site.

“Once complete, the park will open for sustainable visitor access and enjoyment, and educational and research opportunities.”