Eleanor Island (Canada)

Eleanor Island
Eleanor Island
Location within Ontario
Geography
Coordinates44°59′00″N 79°23′26″W / 44.9833°N 79.3906°W / 44.9833; -79.3906
Adjacent toLake Muskoka
Area0.81 ha (2.0 acres)
Administration
Canada
ProvinceOntario
DistrictMuskoka
MunicipalityGravenhurst
Additional information
DesignationMigratory Bird Sanctuary
National Wildlife Area
Established1971, 1978
AdministratorCanadian Wildlife Service

Eleanor Island is an island in Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. It is an important nesting and migration site for waterbird colonies, and is designated as both a National Wildlife Area and a Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

As a strict wildlife habitat, public access to the island is prohibited. It is owned and administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Prior to 1970, Eleanor Island was owned by the Township of Muskoka. Due to the pending restructuring of Muskoka District, the township transferred ownership of the island to the Canadian Wildlife Service on September 1, 1970. The island was declared a Migratory Bird Sanctuary in 1971, and in order to provide a stronger protection status, it was made a National Wildlife Area in 1978.