Although National Threatened Species Day, held on Sept 7 each year, commemorates the death of the last Tasmanian tiger, we at WWF’s Threatened Species Network look at it from a positive point of view – we have the opportunity to make a difference!
This year it’s all about Australia’s amazing kangaroos and wallabies. Not many people know that over half of our 76 types of kangaroos and wallabies are threatened. We’ve all seen our iconic red and grey kangaroos but have you heard about the bridled nail-tail wallaby or the Gilbert’s potoroo, two of our smaller species that are in a bit of trouble?
Bridled nail-tail wallabies are threatened by land clearing, predation by foxes and fire. At the time of European settlement, they were commonly seen along eastern Australia. But numbers have dramatically dropped in the last 100 years and for over 30 years they were believed to be extinct. But like all good stories there is a twist with the wallabies being rediscovered near Dingo, Qld in 1973! Now that is a true back from the brink story.
On the other side of the country we have the Gilbert’s potoroo. These cute little rat kangaroos are also threatened by fire and feral predators like foxes and cats and live on the south coast of WA. The bad news for them is that there are only about 50 left!
These guys really they need our help!
Positive you say? Well there is a positive on all this doom and gloom – we can make a difference. Conservation is everybody’s business and it is up to us to help protect our wildlife.
So what can I do?
Joining a conservation or community group and assist with nature conservation activities in your area is a great way to get involved and do some good. I am lucky enough to be involved with the Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise group in WA. We spend time planting native plants around the area where Australia’s most endangered reptile lives, raising awareness about the tortoise and fundraising. I get a real buzz out of knowing I’ve done a bit to help these unique animals.
Keeping your garden native is another easy way to provide homes for many of our birds, insects and, if you’re lucky, mammals to live in.
Re-use and recycle all your rubbish at home and when you’re out and about. Plastic bags can be lethal to marine animals like turtles and sea birds if they end up in our oceans and waterways.
Switch off unused lights and appliances around the house. It’s easy and will also save you money! Reducing our carbon footprint can help our wildlife by reducing the effects of climate change on their habitat.
So this National Threatened Species Day think about what you can do to make life a bit easier for our feathered, furred and finned friends.
Check out www.wwf.org.au/tsn
