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Wildlife
When we talk about wildlife we’re talking about all of the mammals, birds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, insects, crustaceans, sponges, jellyfish and bacteria: we’re talking about all the walking, flying, hopping, swimming, slithering and squirming creatures that make up the wonderful mix of creatures that we share our planet with.
Can you even begin to imagine if they weren’t here with us, if we had only human companions on our planet?
MYTH
Our wildlife can look after itself and will continue to survive with or without our help. It’s been around for longer than us and will be around long after we’re gone. Our earth is so big we cannot possible upset nature’s balance.
FACT
Our wildlife is in serious strife. Our wildlife is loosing habitats, their water and food sources are being destroyed, and the very systems that they depend upon for life are being damaged - all due to human activities.
In Australia we are blessed with some truly amazing examples of wildlife. With 45% of our birds, 83% of our mammals, 89% of our reptiles, 90% of our fish and insects and 93% of our amphibians are found nowhere else on earth. They are unique to Australia. Sadly, around 20% of these species face extinction. Some 54 species have become extinct since European settlement in Australia.
Wildlife is a fundamental part of our biodiversity. Biodiversity is the spice of life that makes everything work. It is the variety of plants, animals, insects and micro-organisms on earth. It is all their genes too, and the web of life that they make up.
Why should we care about biodiversity? There is a selfish reason: we need it to survive. We need biodiversity for our health, well-being and quality of life. We rely on biodiversity for clean water and clean air. The food we eat, the energy that powers our homes, the medicines that fix us when we are crook, the homes we live in and the clothes that keep us warm all come from our earth’s biodiversity.
Despite what you may have read, nature does not exist merely for our pleasure. Aside from the benefits we gain, biodiversity has intrinsic value that deserves our respect. As mentioned earlier life would be very boring if there were just humans around, so boring in fact that we would cease to exist.
'If all the insects on earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on earth would disappear. If all humans disappeared within 50 years all species would flourish as never before.' - Jonas Sulk, discoverer of the Polio Vaccine.
Latest information
Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 20 years
July 15th, 2009
The Great Barrier Reef will be so degraded by warming waters that it will be unrecognisable within 20 years, an eminent marine scientist has said. Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told The Times: “There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.”
How do we threaten biodiversity?
July 9th, 2009
The world’s ecosystems have changed more rapidly in the last half of the twentieth century than ever before in recorded history. The human-caused rate of extinction is 1000 times greater now than at any time in our earth’s history.
How do we protect Australia's birds?
July 9th, 2009
The State of Australia’s Birds Reports are overviews of the status of Australia’s birds, the threats they face and the conservation actions taken. This 2008 report focuses on trends in bird populations revealed by about 50 long-term monitoring programs running for up to 40 years.
EU to back temporary bluefin tuna fishing ban
September 23rd, 2009
The European Union is reportedly preparing to back a temporary ban on bluefin tuna fishing which would see the suspension of catches around the world.
Bird sounds from the lyre bird - David Attenborough
July 9th, 2009
David Attenborough presents the amazing lyre bird, which mimics the calls of other birds - and chainsaws and camera shutters - in this video clip from 'The Life of Birds'.
New program lists five ‘sustainable’ seafood products
March 31st, 2010
The Australian Conservation Foundation has announced the first five seafood products to be assessed as ‘sustainable’ under a new seafood assessment program. The Sustainable Australian Seafood Assessment Program has been developed by ACF in conjunction with a team of independent marine scientists and the University of Technology, Sydney.
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