Australia's Extinction Crisis

Australia holds a sobering record: since European colonisation, it has lost more mammal species than any other continent. Today, hundreds of native animals and plants are listed as threatened or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The main drivers of this crisis include habitat clearing, introduced predators (particularly foxes and feral cats), invasive weeds, altered fire regimes, and climate change.

The good news? Individual and community action genuinely makes a difference. Here's how you can contribute.

1. Make Your Garden a Wildlife Haven

Your backyard can serve as a vital refuge for native species, particularly in urban areas where natural habitat is fragmented. Consider:

  • Planting locally native species that provide food and shelter for local birds, insects, and reptiles.
  • Installing nest boxes for small parrots, possums, or microbats to replace hollows lost when old trees are removed.
  • Creating a frog pond to support declining amphibian populations.
  • Leaving leaf litter and logs on the ground as habitat for skinks, beetles, and small mammals.
  • Keeping pet cats indoors or in a cat-proof enclosure — feral and roaming domestic cats are responsible for billions of native animal deaths each year in Australia.

2. Support Reputable Conservation Organisations

Donating to, or volunteering with, established conservation groups channels resources directly into threatened species recovery. Some respected organisations include:

  • Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) — manages large feral-predator-free sanctuaries.
  • Zoos Victoria's Wildlife Conservation Fund — supports captive breeding and wild release programs.
  • Bush Heritage Australia — purchases and protects high-biodiversity private land.
  • WIRES — trains and coordinates volunteer wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

3. Participate in Citizen Science

Your wildlife observations are scientifically valuable. Apps like iNaturalist, eBird, and the Atlas of Living Australia allow anyone to contribute species sightings that inform conservation planning and research. Even a photo of a common backyard skink adds to the national database of species distribution.

4. Reduce Your Ecological Footprint

Broader environmental choices also support wildlife:

  1. Buy timber and paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to reduce demand for old-growth logging.
  2. Choose sustainably sourced seafood to reduce pressure on marine ecosystems.
  3. Reduce single-use plastics that end up in waterways and harm aquatic wildlife.
  4. Support political candidates and policies that prioritise biodiversity protection.

5. Report Wildlife in Distress

If you encounter an injured or orphaned native animal, do not attempt to care for it yourself without training. Contact:

  • WIRES: 1300 094 737 (NSW)
  • Wildlife Victoria: 03 8400 7300
  • RSPCA in your state for general animal welfare emergencies.

Every Action Counts

Conservation can feel overwhelming when faced with the scale of Australia's biodiversity crisis. But ecosystems are resilient when given the chance to recover. The cumulative impact of millions of Australians making small, informed choices in their daily lives creates the conditions for native species to survive, recover, and thrive.