Publications
Department of the Environment and Heritage
No one will ever again see a Paradise Parrot flash its rainbow colours across the sky or see the Tasmanian tiger slink through the wet Tasmanian forest. They are gone forever - they are now extinct. There are over 50 types, or species, of Australian animals and over 60 species of Australian plants that are extinct. It is very sad, but it is too late. Extinction is forever.
But we can still do something about our threatened plants and animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. About 110 species of animals and over 520 species of native plants are classified as nationally endangered (they may become extinct in the near future). Over 180 species of animals and nearly 660 species of plants are classified as nationally vulnerable (they are likely to become endangered if present trends continue).
1. Be informed! Find out more about Australia's threatened animals and plants and where they are found.
You can start by exploring this Department of the Environment and Heritage site and by visiting the following web sites for more information:
2. Enter the HANDS ON FOR HABITAT AWARDS (entries open between April and June each year). Ring freecall 1800 803 772 for an information kit for you and your class. Ask your teacher if you can do the classroom activities and then use the information to enter the competition. You could win great prizes, including money for your school to help threatened species in your local community.
3. Find out about ways you can get involved to help save threatened species by reading the following publications.
4. Get involved in the annual National Threatened Species Day events in your region. Calendar of events are posted each year in August from the National Threatened Species Day Home Page
5. Join a group. Find out about activities happening in your local area and get involved. Contact your State Threatened Species Network Coordinator
For more information about threatened species call the Department of Environment and Heritage's Community Information Unit on freecall 1800 803 772 or email ciu@environment.gov.au.