Fauna Park

Information/Links

• Animal Behaviour at Macquarie
• Animal Ethics Committee
• Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest
• Map of the Fauna Park

Situated on the corner of Culloden Rd and Tallavera Rd, Marsfield and originally farmed as market gardens, the Macquarie University Fauna Park stretches over 11Ha; 3.5Ha of which is protected Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. The area is committed to non-intrusive research, e.g. learning to avoid predation, and other natural animal behaviours. Vertebrates (birds, fish, reptiles) or invertebrates (bees, flies, spiders) are observed in natural settings with minimal disruption to their normal environment. This allows the researchers to verify findings they have documented in the field. Other areas of investigation are water ecology and the competitive abilities of native trees.

The primary focus of the research is to determine how evolution has effected the development of brains by observing the animal's behaviour as they interact with their environment in competition with their own and other species. Research has a strong focus on conservation and environmental protection and all work with vertebrates has been approved by the Animal Ethics Committee.