A Special Wildlife Reserve
Pullen Pullen had the honour of being declared Queensland’s first ever Special Wildlife Reserve.
This new class of protected area, legislated by the Queensland Government, provides National-Park-level protections to privately owned nature reserves.
Queensland is the only state to provide National-Park-level protection to private land, making the declaration of Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve an Australian first as well.
This status will ensure the land is permanently protected from activities such as mining, timber harvesting or grazing. It’s also great recognition of the tireless work done since the land’s purchase in 2016, such as feral predator control and fire management across the reserve.
Studying the Night Parrot
Since purchasing the reserve, we’ve also worked closely with researchers and scientists to study the elusive Night Parrot and better understand its ecology and how best it can be protected.
Ecologist Nick Leseberg finalised his PhD on Night Parrot ecology before joining our staff. His research builds on three years of research at the reserve by Dr Steve Murphy.

Nick made some important discoveries, including recording fledglings and finding nests. Updates from Nick and more of our research partners are available in the related stories below.
Cultural values
Pullen Pullen is the Maiawali word for Night Parrot. The sanctuary is on traditional Maiawali country and includes culturally significant areas such as worked stone scatters.
Our work at Pullen Pullen to protect the Night Parrot is supported by the Queensland Government’s Nature Assist program.