The Threatened Species of Australia

National Threatened Species Day 

Australia is home to some of the most unique and iconic animals in the world, many of which can’t be found on any other continent. At the moment many face not being around even on their home soil. With the ICUN endangered species list growing and over 54 of the amazing species already gone from the land in the last 2 centuries. Australian animals are facing many hardships, with many currently battling for their own lives.

WILD LIFE Sydney plays host to 8 Australian animals that are on the ICUN endangered species list. Ranging from vulnerable to endangered, WILD LIFE plays an important role in protecting and preserving the special and distinctive creatures that call Australia home.

• Near Threatened – Yellow-Bellied Glider
• Near Threated – Platypus
• Near Threatened – Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby
• Vulnerable – Bilby
• Vulnerable – Koala
• Endangered – Numbat
• Endangered - Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo
• Endangered - Tasmanian Devils

Australia has one of the worst animal extinction records in the world - some of the reasons behind such high extinction rates being:

• The arrival of species not native to Australia that either kill or monopolise food and habitat resources
• Habitat destruction leaving our creatures nowhere to go.
• Bushfires – the catastrophic 2019/2020 bushfires destroyed 12.6 million hectares of forest and woodland, impacting nearly 3 billion native animals and pushing many more towards extinction.

Populations of our endangered species are continuing to decline. All is not lost with many organisations committed to the protection of our species. For example our Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo – Kofi, is part of a national breeding program that will help to replenish his species numbers, as is our Platypus Jackie; whose story you can read here.

If you would like to be involved in helping to save our incredible wildlife consider volunteering, donating or keeping a look out for ways you can reduce your impact in your home life, such as choosing products that don't contain palm oil, recycling your plastic and keeping your pets indoors. 

Together we can protect, nurture and save the greatest Australian animals.