PRELIMS BITS
Context: Recent seaplane crash – Rottnest Island, Australia.
About Rottnest Island
Known as Wadjemup to the Whadjuk Noongar people, the island holds deep cultural and historical significance. It lies approximately 19 km off the coast of Fremantle, near Perth, in Western Australia.
Key Features of Rottnest Island
- Historical Importance: During World War I, the island served as an internment camp, and in World War II, it functioned as a defense base.
- Tourism and Activities: The island attracts visitors for activities such as snorkeling, cycling, and wildlife viewing, particularly the famous quokka.
- Unique Wildlife: It is a primary habitat for the quokka (Setonix brachyurus), a marsupial now rarely seen on the mainland.
- Marine Diversity: Rottnest boasts 63 beaches and 20 bays, supporting a vibrant marine ecosystem with over 135 tropical fish species and various corals.