What animal’s are Endangered?

“Safeguard Nature’s Wonders for Future Generations!”

To Commemorate World Wildlife Day, We would love to share the most endangered Australian animals with our followers and to educate. We love teaching others about our beautiful animals and our native flora & fauna. To begin this I would love to know, What do you think is one of our most endangered species in Australia?

Whilst there is an awful number of Australian species currently threatened and considered endangered, We are sticking to one that is found near us. The Koala are among some of the animals that are endangered near us. Alongside multiple other mammals that are such special and pretty creatures such as the Leadbeater’s Possum & Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. We are also aware of lots of extict species that are only surviving in captivity such as the Brush-Tailed Bettong. Lots of these species will be found in a document attached below, so you can look at & learn more about some of these amazing species.

I say it all too often, But the ecosystems around us truly need the species we have and did once have to be the best they very well could be. The biodiversity is not what it once was. We need to step up and do more, Learn more and most of all Teach more! Knowledge is power.

Some may not see the koala as a species that needs saving, But it does. It relies heavily on our forests, Living in the dense bushland ranging from SA across to VIC all the way to the tip top of QLD. Koalas are most commonly found in the eucalyptus forests, & rely on these lush forests for both food and shelter and feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. They can eat up to 500g of leaves per day, Always seeking out the freshest and juiciest ones. This diet is extremely low in nutrients that koalas need lots of rest and sleep majority of their lives away. They spend roughly 20hours sleeping! ( i mean, I wish! )

Koala’s are territorial and other then when mating or breeding, live a very simple solace life. Eat, Sleep, Climb, Repeat. During breeding season they will hunt out a mate, with males using glands in their chest to make tree’s and females will follow that scent to find the mate. Once they have mated, and they have a young. that baby will stay in mum’s pouch for up to 6 months. Once they are half a year old they jump on mums back and start riding around & exploring from there. Once the baby reaches 12 months old, they venture out into the wilderness on their own and find a territory just for them. These amazing creatures are considered Marsupials, Overtime working with Marsupials I have began to see how incredible these Australian animals truly are! Pouches are such a interesting feature.

Historically speaking these creatures were hunted for their fur, but in recent times the hunting has stopped. Instead koalas now face an ever-growing number of threats. Ranging from deforestation for agricultural and urban developments to the spread of the deadly koala Chlamydia disease, traffic strikes and dog attacks. Alongside Mange a skin disease caused by microscopic mites.

Koala’s also have a pretty unique defense response. Have you ever seen or heard a Koala when they are scared? They make a Grunting or Growling sound, The only animal I’ve heard make a sound remotely like it is a Brush-Tailed Possum. They also have extremely sharp claws and teeth, that when feeling threatened they will use and cause significant injuries for those inflicted. ( I mean, Unless trained to do so… Never attempt to pick up or handle these animals. They might be cute and fluffy, but they can be rather aggressive. Additionally the energy used to defend themselves and try to get away, will exhaust & dehydrate them. Which is not something you should ever attempt to do! )

Additional information can be found at https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/conserving-threatened-species/threatened-species

Koala pictured in Lethbridge, VIC 3332 - Taken by friend.