Leslie Massey
Australia is home to some of the world's most beautiful nature and iconic wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. However, Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, with over 2,000 of its animals and plants at risk of extinction. This is due to a variety of factors, including habitat destruction, introduced species, and urban expansion. Native Australian wildlife faces many threats, including hunting, commercial killing, and bushfires. To protect Australian wildlife, it is crucial to address these issues and provide support through initiatives such as Water for Wildlife, which assists native species impacted by natural disasters. With the right actions, we can ensure the survival of Australia's unique and diverse wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species classified as endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act | 380 |
| Number of species protected under state and territory legislation | Not mentioned |
| Number of Aussie animals and plants at risk of extinction | Over 2000 |
| Number of native species lost to extinction in the last decade | 3 |
| Number of threatened species in 2022 | Not mentioned |
| Number of shark attacks in 2004 | 12 |
| Number of shark attacks that were fatal | 2 |
| Percentage of animal species in Australia that are invertebrates | 96% |
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What You'll Learn
The impact of invasive species
Australia's geographical isolation allowed its plants and animals to adapt to its distinctive environments over tens of thousands of years. However, in the last 250 years, foreign species have been introduced, and many are disrupting the established ecosystems. Invasive species are one of the biggest environmental problems facing Australia.
Invasive species can be introduced to an environment through human action or natural processes. Most introduced species do not become a problem, and some even have positive effects on the environment. For example, the introduction of dung beetles has helped control fly populations in areas with high cattle numbers, and non-native earthworms have improved soil quality in urban areas. However, when an introduced species negatively impacts the environment, economy, or human health, it is classified as invasive.
Invasive species can have devastating effects on native plants and animals, leading to loss or alteration of habitats, killing of native species, extinction, impacts on human health, and economic costs. For example, the Indian myna bird, introduced to control locust plagues, has become a serious threat to native birds in eastern states. Similarly, invasive freshwater fish species like carp and trout have dominated much of southeastern Australia's freshwater systems, outcompeting endemic species. The cane toad is another example of a highly invasive species in Australia, with its population exploding from 2,400 to over 57,600 in just two months after being released into the wild due to the absence of natural predators and its breeding cycle.
The management of invasive species in Australia is carried out by individuals, volunteer groups, conservation groups, and government agencies. While it is challenging to control and prevent the spread of invasive species, efforts are being made to limit their impacts and prevent new invasive species from arriving.
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Human-wildlife conflict
In Australia, human-wildlife conflict is prevalent, with negative interactions between humans and wild animals such as dingoes, flying foxes, and sharks. For example, in New South Wales, flying foxes, also known as fruit bats, are critical to the survival of Australian forests as pollinators, but they negatively impact farmers' livelihoods when they consume fruits grown in orchards. Similarly, in Queensland, lethal control programs aim to reduce the risk of shark bites by culling shark populations, killing hundreds of marine animals annually. However, Humane Society International Australia (HSI) is committed to ending these lethal programs and promoting the use of non-lethal technologies, such as drone surveillance and alert systems, to reduce the risk of shark bites without harming marine life.
To address human-wildlife conflicts and foster coexistence, interdisciplinary approaches are necessary, incorporating scientific research, sociological studies, and the arts. Governments are increasingly recognizing the importance of human-wildlife coexistence, as evidenced by the inclusion of HWC in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Community-based initiatives, such as Water for Wildlife, also play a vital role in assisting native species impacted by bushfires, heatwaves, and drought.
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Wildlife conservation efforts
Australia is home to some of the world's most beautiful nature and iconic wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. However, Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, with over 2,000 of its animals and plants at risk of extinction. This highlights the country's poor track record in protecting its wildlife and wild places.
The Australian government scored an F on several threatened species recovery indicators – the worst possible score. This indicates that urgent action is needed to support the nation's threatened species. The WWF calls on all parties to commit to fixing Australia's broken nature laws as a priority.
The main threats to Australian wildlife include habitat destruction, introduced species, urban expansion, hunting, commercial killing, and bushfires. Since European settlement, hundreds of species have become extinct in Australia. Many introduced species are not regulated through wildlife services and can be regularly hunted year-round. According to a 2023 report, invasive species are the leading cause of native Australian animal extinctions since the 1960s.
Some conservation efforts are being made to protect Australian wildlife. The federal government established the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) in 1973, which coordinates research in the taxonomy, identification, classification, and distribution of flora and fauna. The ABRS maintains free online databases cataloguing much of the described Australian flora and fauna. The Water for Wildlife initiative assists native species impacted by bushfires, heatwaves, and drought. The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife supports wildlife carers in need. Thousands of Animals Australia supporters have also led to the QLD government protecting turtles and dugongs under animal cruelty laws.
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The role of government policies
In Australia, the responsibility for animal welfare is largely retained by individual state and territory governments, with no mention of native animals in the Australian constitution. Each state and territory government enforces domestic animal welfare legislation, including for animals in captivity, through officers or the RSPCA. There is also legislation in some states and territories covering specific aspects of keeping animals in captivity, mostly in the form of prohibitions or restrictions on activities in relation to the use of confined or captive animals.
The Australian government has also implemented the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which promotes the humane treatment of wildlife in the import and export of captive wildlife. This requires facilities to meet certain standards to obtain permits to house animals.
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a non-government conservation organisation that owns, manages, or influences more land for conservation than any other such organisation in Australia. The AWC works to restore ecosystems and return animals to landscapes where they have been lost.
The Primary Industries Ministerial Council, a part of the Council of Australian Governments, endorsed the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) in 2004. The AAWS aimed to improve the welfare of animals by building partnerships, improving coordination, and reducing duplication of effort. However, the incoming Liberal-National Party coalition ceased funding of the AAWS in 2014–2015.
There is also a community-based initiative called Water for Wildlife, which assists native species impacted by bushfires, heatwaves, and drought.
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Community initiatives for protection
Australia is home to numerous unique species, and community initiatives play a crucial role in their protection. One notable organisation is the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), which is dedicated to conserving Australia's biodiversity through science, innovation, and partnerships. AWC works to restore ecosystems and protect threatened species across its sanctuaries and partnership sites. They also have a reintroduction program that returns animals to their natural habitats, helping to restore ecosystems and prevent extinctions.
Another community initiative is WIRES, which stands for Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service. WIRES is committed to securing a sustainable future for Australian wildlife through conservation, habitat protection, and collaboration. They have a community of volunteers who rescue and care for injured or orphaned wildlife, and they also provide education and training to raise awareness about wildlife issues.
Additionally, community-based initiatives like "Water for Wildlife" aim to assist native species severely impacted by bushfires, heatwaves, and drought. These initiatives provide support to wildlife carers and help protect animals from the threats they face due to natural disasters.
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is another organisation supporting wildlife carers and aiding in the recovery of native animals after devastating events like bushfires.
Community support is vital in these initiatives, and individuals can contribute by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness about the issues facing Australia's unique wildlife. These collective efforts ensure the protection and recovery of native species, helping to create a harmonious balance between humans and wildlife in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Wild animals in Australia are facing numerous threats, from natural disasters like bushfires and heat waves to human-induced dangers like hunting, commercial killing, and habitat destruction. With their natural habitats and food sources destroyed, many animals are left with no choice but to accept help from humans to survive.
Introduced species, urban expansion, and habitat destruction are significant threats to the survival of native species in Australia. Since European settlement, hundreds of species have gone extinct due to invasive species, which are now the leading cause of native animal extinctions.
Various initiatives are in place to protect Australian wildlife, such as the Water for Wildlife community-based initiative, which assists native species impacted by natural disasters. Organizations like Animals Australia and WWF Australia are also actively advocating for stronger nature laws and raising awareness about the issues facing Australian wildlife.
Individuals can make a difference by supporting campaigns, contacting local MPs, and donating to organizations working to protect Australian wildlife. Additionally, when visiting areas with wildlife, it's important to follow guidelines and avoid touching or feeding wild animals to minimize stress and potential conflicts.
