Ruqayyah Snyder
Western Australia has several official state symbols and emblems. The Numbat, a unique Australian animal, was proclaimed the animal emblem of Western Australia in 1973. The Black Swan is also used as an emblem of Western Australia, appearing on the state flag and dating back to the earliest times. In addition, the Whale Shark was proclaimed the marine animal emblem of Western Australia in 2013.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animal Emblem of Western Australia | Numbat |
| Date of Proclamation | 25 July 1973 |
| Marine Animal Emblem of Western Australia | Whale Shark |
| Date of Proclamation | 12 November 2013 |
| Black Swan as Emblem | Used as the emblem on the state flag since 1912 |
| Floral Emblem | Red and Green Kangaroo Paw |
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What You'll Learn
The Numbat is Western Australia's animal emblem
The Numbat, also known as the noombat or walpurti, is Western Australia's animal (faunal) emblem. It was proclaimed the faunal emblem of Western Australia on 25 July 1973. The Numbat is an insectivorous marsupial, native to Australia, and is considered an endangered species.
Numbats are known for their striking reddish-brown fur with white stripes, glossy black eyes, and pointed black noses. They are solitary and territorial, occupying up to 1.5 square kilometres of land per individual. These creatures are very picky eaters, feasting almost exclusively on termites, consuming up to 20,000 per day. They are diurnal, meaning they are only active during the day, and their activity levels mirror those of termites.
Historically, numbats were found across western, central, and southern regions of Australia, but their range has significantly decreased due to the introduction of European red foxes in the 19th century. By the late 1970s, the numbat population had declined to under 1,000 individuals, concentrated in two small areas near Perth, specifically the protected Dryandra forest and Perup.
Conservation efforts and government intervention have played a crucial role in gradually increasing the numbat population. The Western Australia government's experimental program of fox baiting at Dryandra led to a significant increase in numbat sightings. Intensive research and conservation programs have helped boost the numbat population, and reintroductions to fox-free areas are ongoing.
The Numbat is a beloved symbol of Western Australia, and its distinctive appearance and fascinating habits make it a prized part of Australia's natural heritage.
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The Black Swan is the state's original emblem
The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is the original animal emblem of Western Australia. The graceful bird has been associated with the state since early settlement. The association was further strengthened by the story of Captain Willem de Vlamingh, a Dutch explorer who, in 1697, named the Swan River after encountering flocks of black swans in its estuary. The site of this discovery later became Western Australia's capital city, Perth. In the years following the establishment of the colony, the areas of Perth and Fremantle were often referred to as the Swan River Colony.
The Black Swan's significance in Western Australia dates back to the earliest times, with Aboriginal lore of the Noongar people, the indigenous Australians living in the southwest of the state, recounting that their ancestors were once black swans who became men. The existence of black swans was first reported to the world outside Australia by Dutch explorers in the 17th century, challenging the European belief that all swans were white.
The Black Swan was officially used as the emblem of Western Australia when the Royal Warrant was issued granting Armorial Ensign and Supporters to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1912. However, there is evidence of its use as early as the 1830s, just a few years after the colony's establishment. This long-standing association makes the Black Swan a fitting choice as the original emblem of the state.
While the Black Swan holds historical and cultural significance, Western Australia has also embraced other official emblems over time. In 1973, the numbat was proclaimed as the state's animal emblem, reflecting the unique fauna that calls Western Australia home. Additionally, in 2013, the whale shark was declared the official marine animal emblem, showcasing the state's connection to the ocean and its diverse marine life.
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The Whale Shark is Western Australia's marine animal emblem
Whale sharks are protected under both state and federal law in Australia. They are difficult to study due to their size, tendency to be solitary, and sporadic travel patterns. Whale shark conservation efforts include collecting tissue samples to study genetics and feeding patterns, implementing interaction protocols for swimmers and vessels, and reducing boat speeds and marine debris in their habitats.
Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks regularly appear in near-shore waters, attracting tourists who spend millions of dollars annually to swim with these gentle giants. The annual aggregation of whale sharks at Ningaloo is linked to increased productivity in the region. Whale sharks are typically seen at Ningaloo from March to July, with some years extending their stay into September or even October.
The whale shark was proclaimed the marine animal emblem of Western Australia on 12 November 2013. As the emblem, the whale shark symbolises Western Australia's magnificent coast, biodiversity, and burgeoning environmental tourism industry. It also epitomises the work of the WA Museum in biodiversity research and understanding the marine environment.
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The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is the state's floral emblem
Western Australia has established several state symbols and emblems, including an animal emblem, a marine animal emblem, and a floral emblem. The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, or Anigozanthos manglesii, is the state's floral emblem. It was named so in November 1960 by the then-Premier of Western Australia, David Brand, who praised the flower's grace, beauty, striking colour, and distinctive outline. The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is the only place in the world where this flower grows naturally, specifically in the southwest of Western Australia.
The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is a member of the bloodwort family Haemodoraceae and grows from an underground rhizome. It prefers well-drained sandy or gravelly soil and full sun. The tubular flowers provide nectar to honey-eaters, and the pollen is spread by birds and insects. The Noongar people also consumed the tuberous roots of the flower due to their high starch content.
The flower's name comes from its resemblance to an upturned kangaroo paw. It stands out for its vibrant red and green colours, though other species in the genus Anigozanthos have colours like pink, blue, orange, and black. The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw typically grows to about a metre high with a fanning base of broad leaves. The species is not considered threatened, but wildflowers are protected under state legislation, and picking them without a licence is prohibited.
The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw was chosen as the floral emblem of Western Australia to heighten tourist interest in the state's wildflowers. It was recommended by Premier David Brand on the advice of the State's Tourist Development Authority. The flower has been the state's emblem since 1960 and was originally named by French botanist Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardiere, who visited the region on an expedition in 1792. The flower was later named after Robert Mangles, who grew the plant from seed in England during the 1830s.
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The history of the Black Swan emblem
The black swan has been associated with Western Australia since the earliest times. According to Aboriginal lore, the ancestors of the Noongar people, the indigenous Australians living in the southwest of the state, were once black swans who became men. However, it was not until the 17th century that Dutch explorers, including Willem de Vlamingh, reported the existence of black swans to the rest of the world. In 1697, de Vlamingh named the Swan River after encountering flocks of black swans in the estuary.
The black swan has been a prominent symbol of Western Australia since early settlement. The areas of Perth and Fremantle were generally referred to as the Swan River Colony following the establishment of the first English settlement in the area in 1829. Bank notes issued in the early 1830s and the first newspaper, the Swan River Guardian, in 1836, featured a swan. In the same year, the first issue of the Western Australian Government Gazette used the swan emblem.
The black swan was also featured on the first postage stamps produced by the Colony of Western Australia in 1854, marking a departure from the usual practice within the British Empire of featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria. The design of the stamp underwent several modifications until 1902, when the last design was produced. The black swan has also been featured on numerous other stamps issued by Western Australia to commemorate various occasions, including the state's centenary in 1929 and the centenary of the first Western Australian stamp in 1954.
The black swan was officially adopted as the bird emblem of Western Australia in 1973. It appears on the state badge, silhouetted against a yellow disk, which is shown in the fly of the state flag. The black swan has been used in the heraldry of various state authorities and religious organisations and as a decorative motif on many important public buildings in Western Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The Numbat is the animal emblem of Western Australia. It was proclaimed the animal emblem on 25 July 1973.
The Whale Shark is the marine animal emblem of Western Australia. It was proclaimed the marine animal emblem on 12 November 2013.
The Black Swan is found in wetlands throughout Australia but has had a special association with Western Australia from the earliest times. It is considered that the ancestors of the Noongar people, the indigenous Australians living in the southwest of the state, were once black swans who became men. The Black Swan was used as the emblem of Western Australia when the Royal Warrant was issued granting Armorial Ensign and Supporters to the Commonwealth of Australia in September 1912.
The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is the floral emblem of Western Australia. Announcing the choice in November 1960, the then-premier of Western Australia, David Brand, said: "The Kangaroo Paw is so outstanding that it was the logical choice. It has grace and beauty, striking colour and distinctive outline, and it grows naturally only in Western Australia."
