In a major win for threatened species and habitats, the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has recently taken under refuge a massive piece of the country’s outback by purchasing it from a private owner.
Called the Narriearra, the new national park covers an area of 1,534 sq km (392 sq miles) in an area in the far north-west of the state. Its acquisition by authorities marks the largest purchase of private land for conservation in NSW’s history.
The new national park extends across floodplains, wetlands and landscapes “currently not found anywhere in NSW national parks”, said Matt Kean, the state’s environment minister.
The property, which borders Queensland and lies to the east of the town of Tibooburra, was owned by the O’Connor family for about a century. It is home to more than 25 threatened animal species, including the grey grasswren, an endangered passerine bird endemic to the region.
Charities and conservation groups have also praised the decision. “This new National Park is an example of the ambitious action required to slow and reverse the biodiversity extinction crisis,” said Stuart Blanch from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia.
