Tenth Island, Nature reserve in George Town, Tasmania, Australia
Tenth Island is a nature reserve of granite formations in the Bass Strait, positioned about 5 kilometers northwest of Tasmania's coast near Stony Head. The island covers roughly 900 square meters and offers a rocky, barren habitat for specialized wildlife.
The area was placed under protection in 1978 by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to preserve the marine ecosystem. This designation marked the start of systematic monitoring and safeguarding of the island.
The indigenous Tasmanian people knew this place as Roobala mangana, showing their connection to this territory in the Bass Strait. This traditional name reminds visitors of the deep ties between Aboriginal people and these island spaces.
Visitors need special permits to access the island due to its protected status and the breeding colonies of Australian fur seals. Reaching it by boat is the only option, and weather conditions in the Bass Strait can be unpredictable.
The island hosts an Australian fur seal breeding colony where roughly 400 pups are born each year despite intense winter storms. This high birth rate shows how well adapted these animals are to such a harsh environment.
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