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A massive former pastoral property in South Australia has become a nature reserve and a new link in a wildlife corridor to the Northern Territory.

With an area twice the size of greater Adelaide, the 4,200 kilometre2 property is now owned by the Nature Foundation SA as a result of private donations and almost $2 million in funding from the Federal Government.

Launching the new reserve Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the property, the biggest bought under the Caring for our Country program, spans three diverse bioregions.

It also significantly increases the habitat protection in two of Australia's most under-protected bioregions - the Flinders Lofty Block and the Stony Plains region.

Minister Garrett explained "places this size are absolutely crucial to maintaining protection of the environment in Australia."

The new reserve forms a habitat corridor from Lake Torrens in South Australian into the Northern Territory - covering almost 10 million hectares.

Minister Garrett added that the area has been hit hard by drought and feral animals so the rescue mission is a lifeline for native species.

He added that since its purchase in February, rains have come the last of the sheep are gone and the drought-ravaged land has begun to regenerate.

Locals say Termination Hill is a unique gems, home to hidden valleys and waterholes and entirely surrounded by a gibber plain.

When wet, Witchelina's creeks act as arid zone refuges for nomadic ducks, sandpipers and other water birds.

Witchelina is also home to the Sturt's desert pea, the gibber dragon and the vulnerable dusky hopping mouse.

Click here for more information.

Image of Witchelina courtesy of the Nature Foundation.

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