The reserve in itself is a relatively small holding. It acts as a buffer zone that borders Litchfield National Park. The surrounding land is uninhabited and not very well accessible. Indeed the reserve and the surrounding native bushland is inaccessible in the wet season for months at a time.
In other states of Australia thousands of Kangaroos are slaughtered each year. Luckily this practice does not happen in the Northern Territory where all Kangaroos are protected by law. Sadly this protection does not extend to the open road, where each day the collision of these animals with motor vehicles leaves many orphaned Joeys (juvenile Kangaroos) and seriously injured Kangaroos.
The staff of The Ark play a major part in the raising of the orphaned Joeys, which have to be handreared by using a milk scientifically formulated to suit marsupials. The animals raised on the Ark grow up to be released here and spend the rest of their lives being a resident. It is the animal's choice whether they leave or join the many mobs that roam free over thousands of hectares. Many of the Kangaroos are kept at a rehabilitation site in large mesh cages for many years. They are transported to the Ark and released one kilometre from the homestead. Some arrive at the homestead within days of being released. With little human contact most can live out their lives just as nature intended. This is one of the many roles of Nina's Ark.
Feed is distributed twice daily, morning and afternoon. Some may travel kilometers to these feeding and drinking sites. Many of these animals would not have survived on their own without some human assistance. Nina's Ark is the only release site of its kind in Australia. Because of this we are gathering vital new knowledge, which was not available until now.
A female Kangaroo can have one Joey in the pouch and one at foot per year, so the mob continues to grow, which guarantees the survival of the species. Many choose to stay in the protected comfort zone of the homestead. In fact some of the female Kangaroos leave their weaning Joeys here during the day. Mothers return to the feeding sites to collect and feed their young.Kangaroo numbers continue to diminish. Out of the orginial 53 species of kangaroo's that were present in Australia upon colonization, sadly 7 are extinct 6 are endangered and 5 are on the threatened species list. Some others are listed as at risk. When will we ever learn to co-exist. Australia has the highest extinction rate in the world and the Northern Territory is the highest of all it's state. As one of the great countries of this world we should be ashamed. Here at Nina's Ark we are doing our part to raise awareness of the plight of our native animals.
The Ark is a host to a vast amount of animal species, e.g. Brushtailed Possum, Agile Wallaby, Antilopine Wallaroo, Blackfooted Rockwallaby, Bandicoot, Northern Quoll, Partridge Pigeon, Brumbys (wild horses), Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Curlew, Black-necked Stork and many others.
Nina's Ark calls upon the services of Dr.Stephen M.Cutter B.V.Sc (Hons) of The Ark Animal Veterinary Hospital when medical treatment is needed.He has many years experience in treating wildlife along with household pets. He may be contacted for his services on the link below or by calling 0889329738. Nina's Ark highly recommends him.
http://www.thearkvet.com.au
