About Australian Endangered Animals

Find out more about endangered animals around us!

Australia has many animal species that are found nowhere else on earth.Australia is unique in many ways. According to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), more than 80 percent of its mammals, reptiles, frogs and marine species and almost 50 percent of the birds are native only to Australia. Unfortunately, Australia also has the highest extinction rate for mammals and more than 1,500 plants, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles are on the federal threatened species list, according to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Endangered
The classification of endangered is used for species at risk of becoming extinct either in the entire world or in a specific region or country. Extinct means the species is completely gone. A species that has a decreasing population and could become endangered is classified as vulnerable. The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts maintains a list of Australian species that are on the endangered list.

 

Animals
Most categories have endangered animals listed. According to Earth's Endangered Creatures, endangered mammals include the Australian sea lion and snubfin dolphin, Bennett's tree kangaroo, black wallaroo, several wallaby and bandicoot species and large-eared pied bat. Among the endangered bird species are the blue-billed duck, fairy tern, grey falcon and several species of parrots, albatross, penguins and petrels. Various species of turtles, snakes, skinks and geckos are part of the endangered reptiles. Other species include fish, insects, worms, clams, crustaceans and snails. The Australian oceans have endangered species of corals, jellyfish and anemones.
Ecology Changes
The changes in Australia's ecology systems began in the late 1700s with European settlements. Population growths result in loss of animal habitats and damage to easily disrupted places such as rain forests. Pollution is another factor in endangering animals. According to the Australian Museum, climate change may affect some Australian species or cause their extinction. According to DFAT, the drought that began in 2001 poses a severe threat.

Invasive Species
Settlers brought with them species such as grazing livestock, insects, plants and domesticated and feral animals, such as pigs, cats and dogs, which were not native to Australia. According to the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), these invasive species, as well as humans, have caused damage to native species by competing for food and habitat.Protection
The Australian government, private groups and local and international wildlife conservation groups are working to help improve the loss of species. According to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, measures include research, monitoring, feral animal control, improving vegetation growth, weed control, removal of cattle and preservation of species, including breeding and reintroduction to native areas. Australia has over 11 percent of its land under federal, state or territory protection status, according to DFAT. The protected areas include national parks, conservation regions and marine areas that help preserve native animals' habitats. Other measures to help protect endangered animals include pollution control and research on climate change.

References: About Australian Endangered Animals | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6645958_australian-endangered-animals.html#ixzz27TPIAcqs

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