Threatened species

Threatened species

Australia’s threatened species face growing pressure from habitat loss, invasive species and climate change. This introduction explores their vulnerabilities, ecological importance and the conservation work helping them survive.

Australia’s threatened species reflect the pressures facing the continent’s unique biodiversity. Many plants and animals found here exist nowhere else, and their survival depends on landscapes shaped by long ecological history. Habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and altered fire patterns have placed increasing strain on native wildlife, pushing some species into decline and others to the edge of extinction.

Threatened species range from well-known animals such as the koala, mountain pygmy possum and numbat to lesser-known plants, insects and marine life that play essential roles in their ecosystems. Each species carries its own story of adaptation, vulnerability and resilience. Protecting them often involves restoring habitat, managing predators, supporting breeding programs and working with communities to reduce pressures on fragile populations.

These stories highlight the importance of understanding why species become threatened and how targeted conservation can support their recovery. They offer a grounded view of the challenges facing Australia’s wildlife and the ongoing work needed to ensure these species endure.

Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is a vast biodiverse nature reserve consisting of wetlands, rivers and sandstone escarpments, abundant wildlife, salt water crocodiles and Aboriginal rock paintings.
10 Years Ago