Due to the increase in human civilization and urban development, many animals have been lost forever from the earth in recent decades. Incessant human negligence and actions not taken at the right time have led many animal species to perish permanently.

Australia is regarded as the hub of flora and fauna, and it has an incredible landscape that is the home for many species. But in the late few years, there has been a significant fall in many native Australian animals leading to a rise of endangered animals in Australia.

These were caused by natural disasters, global warming, climate change, natural habitat destruction, and mass land clearing for human needs and wants!

Endangered species are the species of animals and plants which are on the verge of extinction. But Critically endangered species is the highest level of the ultimatum given to us for taking serious action. It is estimated that more than 40,000 species of flora and fauna are either critically endangered or globally annihilated.

It was claimed that approximately 3 billion animals died in devastating Australia’s bushfires from June 2019 – to February 2020. Also, studies show that it destroyed a land area of over 28 million acres.

As recently listed by IUCN, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 96 Australian animals fall in the category of critically endangered species. These are classified as :

• 19 mammals
• 13 birds
• 20 reptiles
• 17 fish
• 5 invertebrates
• 22 crayfish

Here’s a list of some of the critically endangered Australian animals, you should know about.

Mountain pygmy possum;

This tiny possum is said to be the rarest animal species on earth. It is the only mammal species to be found in subalpine regions of southeastern Australia.

The degradation, climate change, increase in earth temperature, fragmentation, and less number of these remnant species are among the major threats to the species’ survival.

Due to ski resort expansions and the development of roads, up to a third of the finest breeding habitat of mountain pygmy possum has been destroyed at Mount Buller itself.

Gouldian finch;

Widely known as Rainbow or Painted finch, the Gouldian finch is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds. Their survival is mostly dependent on fire. They rely on controlled fires, which clear the undergrowth during the dry season and provide them with seeds to eat.

They like to live in places that have been already burned in the previous dry season during the wet season, resultant in new growth with a number of food seeds available for them to feed on.

Excessive grazing by feral animals and sudden fires are the main causes of their decline. In the early 1980s, these birds, because of their beauty were the main attraction for the local and international bird trade.

Eastern curlew;

Critically endangered species, eastern curlew are migratory birds that reproduce in China and Russia and migrate to coastal areas in Australia. In Tasmania, coastal developments, human interference, hunting while migration, and lack of food availability because of increased pollution and degradation of coastal mudflats have become some reasons for their extinction.

Further actions are taken by the Australian government along with international flyway acts for conserving them.

Kangaroo Island dunnart;

Kangaroo Island dunnart is a critically endangered species, restricted only to kangaroo island, south Australia. Before calamitous Australian bushfires, around 500 were estimated, and after fires, only 50 were left.

Habitat loss of agriculture and their already small populations made Dunnart vulnerable to deadly fires like Australian bushfires. Introduced species such as feral cats, foxes, and almost 50% of the loss of natural vegetation could be a significant cause for their extinction.

Orange-bellied parrot;

The orange-bellied parrot is claimed to be one of Australia’s most dangerously threatened species which is anticipated to perish in the coming two to five years.

It is one of the three little migratory parrot species on Earth. Only about 50 adult parrots remain in the wild. They migrate from Tasmania to Victoria’s coastline and southern Australia to feed on salt marsh vegetation during the winter season.

The primary reason for their decline in number is the loss of natural feeding habitat during winter, and wild animals predate the remnant coastal grounds. Other factors include urban development of coastal regions, disturbances in the fire management system, climate change, rise in sea level, global warming, and degradation in non-breeding areas.

Northern quoll;

The northern quoll is said to be the smallest of all Australian quoll species. They are found across the northern territory, from western Australia to the southeast Queensland coast.

Considered carnivorous marsupials, they depend primarily on insects and generally on small mammals, invertebrates, frogs, reptiles, and fleshy fruits such as figs.

Their leading causes of reduction in Northern quolls are cane toads toxins that are found abundantly in the region, feral cats, brown snakes, and changed fire patterns. Currently, they have gone missing from many parts of their former range in savanna habitats. Approximately 95% of the Northern Quoll population has been reduced in Australia.

Black flanked rock wallaby;

Also known as black-footed rock wallabies, these endangered animals are found in many regions of Western Australia, South Australia, and northern territory. Natural habitat destruction disturbed fire patterns, and the emergence of feral animals and foxes are considered to be a threat to their survival.

They can live in rugged cliffs, rocky mountains, caves, and rock piles. They live in small isolated groups. An average of 200 to 300 are left in western Australia are considered extinct in the near future.

White-bellied frog;

This single species of frog to be found only in the drylands of Perth, Western Australia, has been considered critically endangered.

Loss of natural habitats, clearance of land areas, illegal marijuana crops, adding chemicals and fertilizers for agriculture crops, excessive grazing and lowering of groundwater, and pollution are all factors for the decline.

Southern bluefin tuna;

Falls in the category of Australian endangered animals, this fish is highly demanded in the Japanese sashimi market. The biggest threat to the tuna is the overfishing that occurred immensely after industrialization in the fishery in the 1950s and a low number of breeding adults found in the species.

Margaret River burrowing crayfish;

It is a crayfish that is in danger due to the competition with other crayfish that are found in Margaret River. This area is also a famous tourist location and is used for wine plantations.

Smooth marron is the third-largest crayfish globally, which is the biggest threat for burrowing crayfish. The biological differences between the two marrons are creating trouble for the same.

Tasmanian tiger;

The Tasmanian tiger, the Tasmanian wolf or marsupial wolf, is officially declared extinct by IUCN in early 1982. It is one of the recently extinct Australian animals. They used to feed upon other marsupials, kangaroos, small rodents, and sheep. The main reason for their extinction could be competition with the rivalry Dingo, the Australian wild dog, and excessive hunting by human beings.

Tasmanian devil;

Named after the Australian island Tasmania, its only native habitat, the Tasmanian devil is considered to be the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world for over 80 years. Due to the emergence of the Dingo, these Australian animals became extinct in 2008.

Their population fell rapidly from 1996 to 2007, almost by 50%, estimated approx. From 150,000 to that only 25,000.

Also, they have been hit by a contagious facial tumor cancer or disease, called DFTD (devil facial tumour disease), which prevented them to eat, leading to their death through starvation. Since then, Australian wildlife officials paid heed and shifted 30 healthy Australian animals to the wildlife reserve in New South Wales.

Southern cassowary;

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Southern cassowary is registered as endangered species (EPBC Act). The conservation status is vulnerable caused due to habitat loss and increasing development, car strikes on roads, domestic dog attacks, and natural disasters.

It is also said keystone species for their crucial roleplay in maintaining ecological balance. Scientists estimate that only 1500 to 2000 species are left in North Queensland, Australia.

Some other critically endangered Australian animals which really need to be taken into consideration are-

Scottsdale burrowing crayfish

Dunsborough burrowing crayfish

Carpentarian rock rat

Christmas Island flying fox

Green turtle

Northern river shark

Southern sandstone cave cricket

What is EPBC Act?

It stands for Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act of 1999, is the Australian government environment’s legal framework to protect and conserve plant and animal species, ecosystems, and habitats. Its main objective is to seek decisions to protect and save the environment.

There is a massive habitat loss and destruction by the worst bushfires, which have negatively impacted the integrated population of the Australian capital territory, New South Wales, and North Queensland, ruining almost one-third of the east coast population. In addition, kangaroo island fires hit worst to the koala animal species.

Adopting Global Climate Diplomacy Strategies

Josh Prigge, the Company Owner of Sustridge, suggests adopting global climate diplomacy strategies to build a comprehensive climate change strategy:

“Australia is facing the diverse impacts of global climate change, especially with [all these] droughts, bushfires, and coral bleaching incidents happening frequently.

While reducing carbon emissions is a part of the solution, it’s not the answer. Australia’s contribution to emissions is relatively small at around 1.3%; bringing it down to zero wouldn’t change much.

However, by drawing inspiration from the European Union’s efforts and New Zealand’s innovative approaches in agriculture, Australia has the potential to play a role in global climate diplomacy.

By adopting targets similar to those set by the EU and following New Zealand’s success in reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions, we can enhance worldwide endeavors towards achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Australia can learn from flood management strategies employed by countries like the Netherlands and examine initiatives such as Africa’s Green Wall project, which focuses on large-scale carbon sequestration.”

A shift in status from vulnerable to endangered animals and to critically endangered Australian animals show us the deteriorating conditions of Australian biodiversity.

Therefore, this act came into existence to conserve endangered Australian animals. In New South Wales, Kosciuszko national park is home to many threatened species and endangered animals.

Great barrier reef has protected marine life, including green turtles and hawksbill turtles, and has now become World Heritage Site acclaimed globally.

To protect our beautiful ecosystem and biodiversity, we have to adopt the ideology of co-existence, keeping in my that the animal world also needs a safe place as humans do.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Sanjana