AUSSIE NATURE RESERVE

A nature reserve is a place where animals live in a protected environment. Many endangered animals are to be found in reserves.
The animals in reserves are usually native to the area, unlike zoos which have animals from all over the world.

Your Task:
You are to plan a Nature Reserve for one of the following places...Tasmania, Central Australia or North East Queensland.
You must select 10 animals which could be put in the reserve and of these you will choose the 6 you consider most suitable.
You must include one animal which is endangered and one animal that you previously knew little about.
You must justify each selection.
You will then design a plan for your Nature Reserve taking into consideration the needs of the animals you have selected.

Points to consider

• the climate and general environment of your selected site
• each animals' suitability to the area (the selected animals should be "native" to the environment of the site)
• the layout of the reserve eg: Do you need cages? What animals you would put together? How will you organise feeding areas?
• a name for your reserve and whether or not it will be open to the public

You may work in teams of up to 3 students
Work should be presented as a slide show eg Kid Pix, Clarisworks / Appleworks or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Step 1 Print the summary sheet Use it to record your information.

Step 2 Where can I find information?

You may select your animals to research from this list or find others.

long nosed bandicoot	red bellied black snake	western swamp tortoise	Blue Mountain tree frog	spotted tailed quoll
cassawary	cockatoo	saltwater crocodile	echidna	emu
frilled lizard	kangaroo (species?)	koala	kookaburra	fairy penguin
platypus	possum	tawny frogmouth	wallaby (species?)	wombat
cuscus	wallaroo	dugong	numbat	dingo
goanna	bilby	kowari	kingfisher	oystercatcher

Web Sites

ABC TV's Our Animals	Australian Animals - Mammals	Australian Animals Websites
KidsCyber Quest Australian Animals	Endangered Australian Animals

Other Sources of Information include:

CD roms (eg The Animals)
Town library
School library
National Parks and Wildlife

Step 3 What do I do with the information?

Record all relevant information on the summary sheet and plot the animal habitats on the blank map.
As a team choose your location - you must justify your choice.
You then decide which animals to include. You must justify your choices.

Step 4 Presentation

• Present findings as a slide show presentation using Kid Pix or Clarisworks/Appleworks or Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Include a photo or picture of each animal and the reasons for choosing your animal.
• Introduce each of your team members

  Your presentation must include:

  • a map of Australia clearly showing your selected site
  • a description of the environment found at this site
  • a list of the selected animals (including at least one endangered and one which you previously knew little about)
  • a map or plan of your proposed Nature Reserve (as well as a name)

REMEMBER to cite your sources!