FAUNA OF THE COORONG
Separated from the breakers of the Southern Ocean by a peninsula of sand dunes, the Coorong is a hundred kilometre salt water lagoon. The Coorong's lakes and waterways team with birdlife - white-faced herons, pelicans, egrets, swans, gulls and migratory birds.
The Coorong has been declared a wetland of international importance. It is one of the most important waterbird habitats in Australia. Less than three kilometres wide, it is an inland sea of shimmering, shallow lagoons and is home to over two hundred bird species, including migratory birds from as far away as Europe and Asia. During the warmer months the Coorong becomes home to thousands of migratory birds such as sandpipers, stilts and stints. The Coorong Lagoon is a very important area for migratory wading birds and serves as a refuge in the drier months for many water birds. Of the 238 bird species which have been recorded, nine are introduced species. Some are oceanic birds which have only been recorded in the Coorong area as dead birds stranded on the ocean beach.
There is ample opportunity to see a variety of birds as the Coorong is internationally renown for waterfowl that gather to feed. One of Australia's most breathtaking national parks, it is a major breeding ground for pelicans, native ducks, black swans and ibis. Of course, the world's largest breeding colony of the Australian Pelican nests here.
There are also abundant numbers of emu, kangaroo, reptiles and fish - particularly the famous Coorong Mullet. Twenty three terrestrial mammals have been recorded in the park. Of these species, seven are introduced. Ten species of marine mammals have been recorded as stranded on the beach of the Younghusband Peninsula. Twenty one reptile and seven amphibian types have been recorded in the park.