Viewing the wildlife
Kakadu is one of the few places in Australia where there have been limited, if any, extinctions of plants or animals over the last 200 years. Kakadu is a stronghold for animals such as magpie geese which once occurred throughout eastern and southern Australia. the park also protects the habitats of animals that only occur in the Kakadu/Arnhem Land region, such as the black wallaroo, chestnut-quilled rock pigeon and the white throated grass wren.
Hints on viewing wildlife
Walking is good. You follow track
you sleep, wake in morning to birds,
maybe kookaburra. You feel country.
Bill Neidjie - Bunitj clan, Aboriginal traditional owner.
- Mornings and evenings are good times to see animals such as birds and wallabies. During the hotter times of the day, animals tend to be less active.
- Bird hides have been provided at Mamukala Floodplain, South Alligator area, for visitors to watch the rich birdlife.
- Waterholes along creeklines attract animals, especially small birds. Sit quietly as animals in need of water can frighten easily. Beware of crocodiles and please observe all warning signs.
- Use binoculars during the day, or a torch at night.
- Look for animals such as lizards, snakes, bandicoots and dingoes crossing the road. Slow down so that you see the wildlife rather than run over it.
- Please don't feed the wildlife. Animals such as dingoes and kites can become dangerous if they become used to people.