There are good signs that the nationally endangered Southern Cassowary is using the habitat protected by Fan Palm Reserve. It also protects these significant species and communities:
Animals
Herbert River Ringtail Possum, Green Ringtail Possum, Lemuroid Ringtail Possum, Striped Possum, Bennett's Tree Kangaroo.
Plants
Cleistanthus oblongifolius, Neostrearia fleckeri, Ryparosa javanica
Vegetation communities
Mesophyll vine forest with dominant fan palms (Licuala ramsayi)