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| Bool Lagoon Game Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)[1] | |
 Bool Lagoon. The red plant issamphire. | |
  Bool Lagoon Game Reserve | |
| Location | South Australia |
| Nearest city | Naracoorte[2] |
| Coordinates | 37°07′S140°41′E / 37.117°S 140.683°E /-37.117; 140.683 |
| Area | 31.03 km2 (11.98 sq mi)[3] |
| Established | 8 June 1967[4][5] |
| Governing body | Department for Environment and Water |
| Website | http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast |
Bool Lagoon Game Reserve is aprotected area located in theLimestone Coast region ofSouth Australia, about 24 kilometres (15 miles) south of the town ofNaracoorte.[2]
The game reserve began as land in sections 223 and 224 of the cadastral unit of theHundred of Robertson which acquired protected area status on 8 June 1967 simultaneously as a game reserve declared under theFauna Conservation Act, 1964-1965 and as a Fauna Conservation Reserve under theCrown Lands Act, 1929-1967 in association with land in section 249.[4][5] On 17 February 1972, section 356 was added to the game reserve.[6] On 27 April 1972, land in sections 223 and 224 and 356 was reconstituted as theBool Lagoon Game Reserve under theNational Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.[7]
In 1980, it was listed on the now-defunctRegister of the National Estate.[8]
In 1985, the area covered by both the game reserve and theHacks Lagoon Conservation Park was added under the name "Bool and Hacks Lagoons" to theList of Wetlands of International Importance maintained by theRamsar Convention.[9]
While Bool Lagoon is officially agame reserve, in dry years it attracts many waterbirds of many species, and is frequently a point of contention betweenduckhunters and animal rights activists. The adjacentHacks Lagoon Conservation Park also provides refuge for waterbirds. There are a number of boardwalks and bird hides at both lagoons to facilitatebirdwatching. The lagoons are visited by up to 150 species of birds, many having migrated from theNorthern Hemisphere. The reserve is classified as anIUCN Category VI protected area.[1]
Another ecological issue is that in the past, hunters used much lead shot. In recent times, even when the lagoon is opened for hunting, only steel shot may be used.
Mosquito Creek flows into Hacks Lagoon, and any overflow flows into Bool Lagoon. Mosquito Creek used to continue out of Hacks Lagoon to spread out on the plains near Naracoorte, but is now blocked and any excess water is directed through a drain from Bool Lagoon to the coast nearBeachport.
