Working Together

Page 1

Threatened & Endangered Species Animal Conservation Awareness Activity

Background Information:Definitions: When the numbers of a species, or kind of animal, become very low, they are facing a risk of becoming extinct. Extinct means there are no more left. Critically Endangered indicates that the species is facing an extremely high risk of being extinct very soon.Endangered means a species is in danger of becoming extinct. Vulnerable means that the species is not yet classified as endangered, but numbers are continuing to drop.Endangered and Vulnerable Australian Species: In the past 200 years about 17 different Australian mammals have become extinct. Many more mammals and other animals are in danger of dying out. Australia has more endangered species than any other continent.Why are species becoming threatened?Species decline is almost never caused by one single factor but rather a host of complex factors stemming from: • Human impacts on the landscape • Loss of habitat and food supply due to land clearance and weed invasion • Feral cat and fox predation • Inappropriate livestock grazing • Dieback of vegetation caused by plant diseases • Degradation of water bodies • Climate change caused by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases • Over hunting / fishing • Increaser species – increase their numbers and expand their natural home range displacing other

species from it – particularly birds • DiseaseWhy should we worry about losing species? • Loss of biodiversity • Lack of genetic potential • Impact on tourism • Impact on cultural identity • Impact on indigenous culture • Ethical issues

Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Australian Endangered Animals [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2002).

Working Together

Page 2

Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger is probably extinct, though people still search for it. They were marsupials. They were hunted and killed by people who thought the thylacine would kill their chickens and sheep. The last known thylacine died in Hobart Zoo on 7th September 1936. This day is now known as Threatened Species Day.image: http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/austendangered.htm

The Lesser Bilby has not been sighted since the 1960s, and is probably extinct. Its relative, the Greater Bilby is now endangered. Once common in central Australian desert areas, the numbers have been reduced by fire and foxes and its habitat affected by grazing cattle and rabbits.image: http://members.optusnet.com.au/bilbies/About_Bilbies.htm

The numbat is endangered because of habitat loss and foxes. Once common across the southern part of the continent, it is now only found in a few forests in southwest Western Australia.image: http://www.lincolnhall.net/nss-folder/pictures1/OZ.Numbat.jpg

Leadbeater’s possum was not seen after 1909 and was thought to be extinct, but the possums were found again in 1961. They are endangered, and are only found in the Victorian central highlands, in old forest areas that are being logged. The animals nest in tree hollows, and these are only found in old trees.image: http://www.wherelightmeetsdark.com/images/newswatch/Leadbeaters_Possum.jpg

Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Australian Endangered Animals [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2002).

Examples of Australia’s Extinct/Endangered/Vulnerable Animals

Working Together

Page 3

Some desert species of bandicoot are extinct and the remaining species are vulnerable. If their habitats change, they will become endangered. One kind is the Western Barred Bandicoot , now only found on a few islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is now found only in Tasmania and in a few places in Victoria.image: Eastern Barred Bandicoot http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/12316/imagegallery/vic-easternbarredbandicoot-large.jpg

Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo, is a kangaroo that lives in trees. In Australia it is found only in northeastern Queensland, in highland rainforests. Queensland’s rainforests are disappearing habitats, because of land clearing, and these animals are classified as vulnerable.image: http://www.platypusbend.com.au/user-assets/Tree%20kanga%20images/28Tree-kangaroon.jpg

The Australian Sea Lion is vulnerable. These animals were hunted to near extinction. They are the only seal or sea lion found exclusively in Australia.image: http://davidkphotography.com/images/20070526082822_sea-lion-blog.jpg

Another vulnerable marine mammal is the dugong, found grazing on sea grasses in warm shallow water off the northern coast.image: http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/005/cache/dugong_518_600x450.jpg

You could also research and find out about some other endangered Australian animals:Corroboree frog...frogs... quokka...quoll...Gouldian finch...possums and pygmy-possums... red-tailed phascogale... northern hairy-nosed wombat...western swamp turtle.

Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Australian Endangered Animals [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2002).

Working Together

Page 4

Animal Conservation Awareness ActivityDevelop a short story, poem or poster about one of our Endangered animals.

Ever had an itch you couldn’t scratch? Hairy Nosed wombat has one, and somebody has chopped down his scratching tree. Join our marsupial hero on an itchity, scratchity adventure as he tries to find the perfect place to scratch his butt.This story is a great example of how human and other impacts can affect the habitat of one of our native animals - have a read and it may assist you in developing a story or poem about and animal of your choice.

1. Have a look through the background information about some of our other native animals that are threatened species and choose an animal to focus on… you could focus on an animal that’s already extinct if you like – OR make up an imaginary animal if you are feeling creative.

2. Come up with or research three problems that this animal is facing – three things that are endangering this animal’s survival and…

3. As a group OR on your own – you need to come up with either a poster, a poem or a short story about the animal, its problems and what needs to be done to ensure the animal can remain safe and not become endangered.

Your story or poster should educate people about that animal and what’s happening, as well as what can be done to ensure its safety.

4. Introduce the animal you have chosen and present your poster/story/poem to the class.