For emergency rescue support 24/7 please call 1300 094 737
Australia is home to an extraordinary diversity of native wildlife, but many species are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, introduced predators, climate change, disease and other threats.
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. More than 1,700 species and ecological communities are currently recognised as threatened and facing the possibility of extinction, while the nation continues to record an exceptionally high rate of mammal loss.
Australia accounts for almost half of the 40 mammal species known to have disappeared worldwide over the past two centuries. Looking further back, more than 65 mammal species have been lost from the continent during the last 50,000 years. This is an alarming statistic that highlights the urgent need to protect Australia’s remaining biodiversity.
A species is considered threatened when its population has declined to a level where it is at risk of extinction. Understanding these threats and knowing how we can help is an important part of protecting Australia's wildlife for the future.
Threatened species are classified into one of four main groups:
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A species facing a high risk of becoming endangered.
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A species facing a high risk of extinction.
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A species facing a very high risk of extinction.
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A species that is believed to no longer exist.
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Clearing and fragmentation of native habitat can leave wildlife without the food, shelter and breeding areas they need.
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Animals such as cats and foxes can prey on native wildlife and put additional pressure on vulnerable populations.
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Changing temperatures, rainfall and extreme weather can affect food availability, habitat and breeding conditions.
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Roads, development, pollution, inappropriate fencing, fishing equipment and other human activities can injure or kill wildlife.
Rescue
WIRES provides rescue and emergency assistance to sick, injured and orphaned native animals, including threatened species.
Rehabilitation
Where appropriate, wildlife receives specialist care and rehabilitation with the goal of returning healthy animals to the wild.
Conservation
WIRES supports programs and partnerships that contribute to wildlife recovery and long-term conservation.
Community education
Helping people to understand threats to wildlife can prevent injuries and reduce the pressures facing native species.
Research and recovery
WIRES works with researchers, conservation organisations and other partners to improve outcomes for Australian wildlife. We have collaborated with more than 20 universities and invested in wildlife research projects to help improve outcomes for native species. You can find more about these projects by visiting Wildlife Research.
WIRES assists over 3,000 threatened animals each year. With the number of threatened species climbing, the active role WIRES play, rescuing and caring for threatened species is imperative and it is community support that makes it possible. WIRES also actively advocate for habitat preservation, wanting every future generation to have the opportunity to see all remaining native species of wildlife, in the wild.
Some of the threatened species we assist include:
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Conservation can make a difference. Protecting habitat, reducing human-related threats, supporting wildlife rescue and improving our understanding of native species can all contribute to better outcomes for threatened species.
Threatened Species Day
7 September
National Threatened Species Day is held each year on 7 September, commemorating the death of the last known Tasmanian Tiger at Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Their scientific name Thylacine is Greek for “dog-headed pouched one” and they were the world’s largest marsupial carnivore in modern times. Tasmanian Tigers were also the only marsupial in Australia in which both males and females had a pouch and could carry their young.
Threatened Species Day is an opportunity to remember Australia's lost wildlife and, importantly, to take action and protect the species that are still with us.
Images of the Tasmanian Tigers on this page are credited to the Australian Museum.
Learn more about the Tasmanian Tiger by visiting their site at Thylacine
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Protect habitat
Plant native species, protect mature trees and provide wildlife-friendly habitat.
Keep wildlife safe
Drive carefully, keep cats contained, use wildlife-friendly fencing and avoid unsafe netting.
Don't feed wildlife
Allow native animals to maintain their natural diets and behaviours.
Report injured wildlife
If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 for advice.
Support conservation
Donate or volunteer to support wildlife rescue and conservation work.
Sign up to receive our monthly eNewsletter with wildlife rescue stories and updates on our work rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native wildlife.
