Five huge fish have been released at Howard Springs Nature Park after their tendency to hassle birds forced their eviction from a local bird sanctuary.
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price said she was excited about the donation of the five barramundi to boost the stock at the Howard Springs Nature Park.
“The fish were interfering with attempts to breed some of the waterbirds at Feathers Sanctuary and the owner wanted to move them and suggested Howard Springs Nature Park as a possible new home,” Mrs Price said.
“Howard Springs Nature Park is a popular place for locals and tourists to picnic and relax, and now they can enjoy the thrill of seeing the five giant barra swimming around.
“They are an impressive size, but it is important people remember they are to be seen, not caught and eaten.”
As part of the process, the fish were moved to the Territory Wildlife Park last week for a quarantine period.
The fish were transferred to quarantine tanks to ensure the future move to the Nature Park was viable.
The barramundi were relocated to the Nature Park today as a joint effort by the team from Territory Wildlife Park and rangers from the Howard Springs Nature Park.
Fishing within a designated area inside a park or reserve is prohibited under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation By-Laws and could attract a fine of up to $1000.
Howard Springs Nature Park, 35km south of Darwin, attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 8am to 8pm.
The park protects 283 hectares of diverse habitats including monsoon forest and woodland and also features popular attractions including children’s play area, shallow rockpools and a natural waterhole home to aquatic species such as turtle and barramundi.