Lexi Webster
Australia is home to some of the world's most beautiful nature and wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. However, this rich biodiversity is currently in decline. In 2023, 144 new species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife, the highest number since the list was established in 1999. This brings the total number of threatened species in Australia to over 2,000. The country has one of the worst extinction rates in the world, with 100 species lost since European colonisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of endemic species declared extinct since European colonisation in 1788 | 100 |
| Mammals extinct in the past 200 years | 39 |
| Percentage of mammals unique to Australia | 86% |
| Number of new species threatened with extinction in 2023 | 144 |
| Number of species threatened with extinction in 2024 | 41 |
| Number of species on Australia's threatened species list in 2024 | 2,142 |
| Number of species on the Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPAL) | 138 |
| Number of species threatened by habitat destruction | 11 |
| Number of reptiles threatened with extinction | 24 |
| Number of crustaceans threatened with extinction | 24 |
| Number of fish threatened with extinction | 19 |
| Number of birds threatened with extinction | 13 |
| Number of frogs threatened with extinction | 6 |
| Number of insects threatened with extinction | 3 |
| Number of plants threatened with extinction | 51 |
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What You'll Learn
Causes: climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species
Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate in the world, with nearly one in three of its unique mammals at risk of extinction. Since European settlement and the introduction of predators, hundreds of species have become extinct.
Climate Change
Climate change-fuelled extreme weather events, such as the Black Summer bushfires, have had a direct impact on many species. As the frequency of these events increases, so does the urgency of investing in resilient ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction
The destruction of habitats has led to the disappearance of many species. Introduced predators, such as foxes and wild cats, have threatened the existence of native species, which now only survive in small, isolated populations. The Orange-bellied Parrot, for example, has seen its breeding range decline significantly due to habitat loss and degradation.
Invasive Species
Invasive species, along with climate change, pollution, and other human interventions, have contributed to the collapse or near collapse of at least 19 ecosystems in Australia. Feral animals, such as cats, foxes, and dingoes, prey on native species like the Numbat, a small to medium-sized marsupial native to Western Australia. Competition with feral animals and habitat destruction have led to the extinction or near-extinction of many species.
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Mammals are most at risk
Australia is facing an extinction crisis. The country has lost more biodiversity than any other developed nation in the past 200 years. Since European settlement, hundreds of species have become extinct in Australia, and today, nearly one in three of its unique mammals is at risk of extinction. Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate in the world.
The greater glider, Australia's largest gliding mammal, is one of the mammals at risk. They are dependent on hollow-bearing trees for shelter and nesting and mainly eat eucalyptus leaves. They are classified as endangered, with their primary threat being habitat loss and fragmentation due to land clearing and bushfires.
The mountain pygmy possum is another endangered mammal. It is Australia's only mammal that has adapted to live exclusively in the snow-covered alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales. It is listed as endangered due to the destruction and fragmentation of its habitat, climate change, predation by foxes and feral cats, and major declines of its primary food source—the bogong moth.
Other mammals at risk include the eastern quoll, the golden bandicoot, the golden-backed tree-rat, the gouldian finch, and the greater bilby. These species are threatened by factors such as habitat destruction, inappropriate fires, and the increasing impacts of a changing climate.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) argues that a combination of climate change-fuelled extreme weather events and government-backed habitat destruction are behind the rising number of threatened species in Australia. The country has experienced record-breaking droughts, bushfires, and floods in the last five years, and these extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent and intense with increasing global warming.
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Reptiles, crustaceans, fish, birds, frogs, insects, plants
Reptiles in Australia are facing severe threats from invasive species and climate change, with 7% of them in danger of extinction. The Grassland Earless Dragon, for instance, is now endangered, with its population threatened by feral cats and changes in fire patterns. The Mitchell's Water Monitor, a species of monitor lizard, has seen population declines of up to 97% in some areas due to the toxic Cane Toad, which was introduced in 1935. Climate change is also a significant factor, with a predicted 1°C increase in temperature expected to result in a loss of 50% of the Bartle Frere Cool-skink population within 30 years.
Crustaceans in Australia are also under threat, with 24 species added to the threatened wildlife list in 2023. However, specific details on the number of threatened crustacean species and the factors contributing to their endangerment are not readily available from the sources.
Australia's fish populations are facing threats from a variety of sources. The introduction of non-indigenous fish, such as the mosquito fish and trout, poses a significant danger to native fish eggs and tadpoles. Additionally, the installation of in-stream structures and the removal of large woody debris from waterways can alter natural flow regimes, further endangering fish species. In 2023, 19 fish species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife.
Birds in Australia are also facing threats, and the government has implemented measures to protect them. The country's Threatened Species Strategy 2015-2020 aimed to improve the status of 20 threatened bird species by 2020. The strategy included projects to create safe havens, tackle feral cats, and address other threats to native birds.
Frogs in Australia are in decline, with 15 species currently endangered, 12 listed as vulnerable, and four extinct. The Baw Baw frog, for instance, has seen its population decline to fewer than 600, with possible reasons including climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and disease. Overall, six frog species were added to the threatened wildlife list in 2023.
Insects in Australia are facing varying levels of threat. While specific data on the total number of threatened insect species is not readily available, it is known that over 70% of the assessed insect species from the Portuguese Azores islands are in danger of extinction due to habitat degradation and invasive plant species. In 2023, three insect species were added to Australia's threatened wildlife list.
Plants in Australia are also facing significant threats, mainly from habitat destruction and climate change. In 2023, 51 plant species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife, with many more unique plant species at risk of being pushed towards extinction due to government-backed habitat destruction.
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Conservation efforts: reintroduction, habitat restoration, revegetation
Australia has witnessed an alarming rate of species extinction, with nearly 1 in 3 of its unique mammals at risk of extinction, the highest rate in the world. Since European settlement, 39 Australian mammals have gone extinct, and in 2023, 144 new species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife. The primary drivers of this crisis are habitat destruction, invasive predators, inappropriate fires, and climate change.
To address these threats, conservation efforts in Australia have focused on reintroduction, habitat restoration, and revegetation. Reintroduction involves translocating individuals of a species to supplement wild populations or reintroduce them to their former habitats. For example, the Eastern quoll, which is being translocated to Tasmania through breeding programs. The Black-flanked Rock-wallaby has also been the focus of translocation efforts in the Western Desert, with the support of the Martu people, to increase their population size and spread.
Habitat restoration and revegetation projects aim to restore critical vegetation communities and ecosystems that provide habitats for a range of species. One such initiative is Gondwana Link, a large-scale conservation program in Western Australia covering 15,500 hectares. Gondwana Link aims to restore habitat for species like Carnaby's Cockatoo and reconnect fragmented ecosystems, from wet forests to dry inland woodlands. The program has successfully partnered with farmers and pastoralists to implement restoration activities, rebuild ecological function, and support biodiversity recovery.
Community-led revegetation projects have also played a crucial role in fostering thriving ecosystems. Local communities have worked on revegetation, weed control, and stabilizing creek and river banks. These efforts have led to enhanced water quality and interconnected nature strips, showcasing the power of collaborative action. The United Nations declared 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, emphasizing the global commitment to preventing and reversing ecosystem degradation.
In addition to these efforts, partnerships with Indigenous ranger groups are also vital. These partnerships aim to identify the biodiversity benefits of different burning regimes and survey transitional areas for culturally important and threatened species. By working with Indigenous knowledge holders and land managers, conservation initiatives can incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and ensure the protection of significant cultural sites.
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The future: extinction, or recovery?
Australia has one of the worst extinction rates in the world, with about 100 species of flora and fauna lost since European colonisation. The country has lost national treasures such as the Paradise Parrot, Desert Bandicoot, Toolache Wallaby, and Thylacine. The Thylacine's extinction is commemorated annually on National Threatened Species Day.
The main causes of species loss are habitat destruction, invasive predators, inappropriate fires, and climate change. In 2023, 144 species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife, including 24 reptiles, 19 fish, 13 birds, six frogs, three insects, and one earthworm. The list also included 51 plants and three ecological communities.
The future for Australia's threatened species is uncertain. On the one hand, the country's rich biological diversity is seriously declining, with nearly one in three unique mammals at risk of extinction. The government's approval of land clearing for development further endangers these species.
On the other hand, there are efforts by organisations like WWF-Australia and The Nature Conservancy Australia to protect and restore habitats and turn the tide on the extinction crisis. These organisations work with Indigenous communities, governments, and local partners to implement conservation measures and improve land management practices.
The success of these efforts will depend on various factors, including the effectiveness of conservation measures, the ability to control invasive species, and the impact of climate change. While the future remains uncertain, the ongoing work to protect and restore habitats provides a glimmer of hope for the recovery of Australia's threatened species.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, 41 species were added to Australia's threatened list, bringing the total number of threatened species to 2,142.
In 2023, 144 new species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife, the highest number since the list was established in 1999.
The main causes of species becoming threatened in Australia include habitat destruction, invasive predators, inappropriate fires, and the impacts of a changing climate. Australia has experienced record-breaking droughts, bushfires, and floods, which have contributed to the decline of species.
Some examples of threatened species in Australia include the eastern curlew, warru, eastern quoll, orange-bellied parrot, and the eastern regent parrot.
