Australia is one of the most important nations on Earth for biodiversity. We have the largest biodiversity of any developed nation on Earth - and we must protect it! Australia is one of the only 17 megadiverse nations and is home to more species than any other developed country.
80% of Australian species are unique to this country:
Australia is facing an extinction crisis. This is due mainly to predation by feral cats and foxes, clearing of native vegetation, habitat destruction and bush-fire.
Sadly, many Australian species face an uncertain future. Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, with 1 out of 3 mammal extinctions in the last 400 years occurring in Australia. Most of Australia's wildlife is found nowhere else in the world, making its conservation even more important.
Cats are natural born killers. The feral cat is one of the main predators of Australian wildlife. However domestic cats can kill wildlife too; in fact it is estimated that cats kill 3.8 million native Australian animals each year. Of course, they are blameless; they are simply following their instincts. However cats are a major threat to our native wildlife and cat owners need to take responsibility.
If you have a cat, be a responsible owner and follow these easy steps to minimise the impact your cat has on local wildlife:
In 2023, research from the Invasive Species Council, in coordination with the Biodiversity Council and Birdlife Australia, found the following:
Allowing domestic cats to roam can put their safety at risk, making them vulnerable to attacks and fights with other cats and animals, vehicle strike, exposure to the elements, illness or disease, or even contributing to the stray cat population. By keeping cats safely at home, we not only protect their wellbeing but also reduce the impact they have on native wildlife. When cats are kept at home, it helps prevent hunting and other disturbances to wildlife. Our much-loved pets deserve a safe and healthy life – and so do our local wildlife in their natural environment.
"The fact is, the more time a pet cat spends safe at home, the less risk of injury or death from road accidents, fighting, and disease. A pet cat kept safe at home can live up to four times longer than a cat left to roam" - Australian Veterinarian Association 2016
Impact of Roaming Pet Cats (PDF)To learn more and to be a responsible cat owner, please head to the Safe Cat, Wild Cat website - Home | Safe Cat Safe Wildlife
Through responsible behaviours, we can contribute to the well-being of our planet’s diverse ecosystems and safeguard the creatures that inhabit them.
Our everyday choices can have a powerful effect on the environment, ecosystems, and the wildlife that depends on them. By choosing sustainable products and being mindful of our daily habits, we can help ensure the safety and long-term survival of our native species. Even small changes can make a big difference.
If you come across sick, injured, or displaced native wildlife in Western Australia, the Wildcare Helpline is your first point of contact for expert advice and assistance.
Please do not try to look after a sick, injured, or orphaned animal yourself – the best thing you can do is transfer the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to ensure they receive the best care.
See here for more info - Wildcare Helpline | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
When driving, stay alert and slow down, especially on rural roads, near waterholes and vegetation, and especially at dawn and dusk when wildlife are often actively foraging.
Feeding native animals may seem kind, but it can cause serious harm. Human food is often unsuitable for wildlife, leading to malnutrition, disease, and dependency. Animals that become reliant on handouts may lose their natural foraging skills, increasing their risk of injury or death. Feeding can also attract pests, disrupt local ecosystems, and encourage aggressive behavior in some species. To protect our unique fauna, it's best to admire wildlife from a distance and let them find their own natural food sources.
In Western Australia, feeding wildlife without proper authorization can result in fines of up to $20,000.
See here for more info – Creating a waterwise verge - Water Corporation
Secondary poisoning occurs when an animal eats another animal that has ingested a pesticide. Rodenticides are the most common and harmful pesticides to Australian wildlife. Australian owl and other bird of prey numbers have declines due to secondary poisoning.
If you must use a rodenticide, always follow label instructions, be sure to search for, collect, and dispose of poisoned rodents, and secure bin lids to minimise pet or wildlife access to poisoned rodents.
We can make better choices for our wildlife:
See here for more tips and info – Act for Birds
Discarded or poorly managed nets pose a serious threat to birds, mammals, and marine animals, often leading to entanglement. Every year, hundreds of thousands of land and marine creatures lose their lives after becoming trapped in netting. This entanglement can cause serious injuries, limit their ability to move, and, in many cases, result in death. Animals that attempt to escape often suffer from deep wounds and high levels of stress, which can severely impact their health and overall well-being.
While netting is often used in gardens to protect fruits and vegetables from pests, it can unintentionally cause serious harm to wildlife. Birds, bats, and flying foxes frequently become entangled in netting because they either can’t see it or misjudge its distance. Once caught, these animals can suffer injuries, stress, or even death. If you must use netting, always choose wildlife-safe options—those with a mesh size of less than 5mm, tightly secured and pulled taut to prevent entrapment. Better yet, explore alternatives like fruit bags, shade cloth, or exclusion cages.
When not in use, pack away hammocks and sport nets (volleyball, soccer, etc) to avoid the entanglement risk.
Balloons are a silent killer of wildlife. Studies have shown that balloons are found to be the deadliest marine plastic for seabirds and the cause of death in 1733 seabirds in Australia in a single year (2019). Western Australian banned the release of helium balloons in 2022. We look forward to a future where all balloons are banned across all of the world.
The release of balloons is nothing more than littering and a major threat to wildlife of the water and land. Whether latex, Mylar, foil or plastic, don’t be fooled into thinking any type of balloon is ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’– they simply do not degrade quickly enough to cause no risk. They are often mistaken for food by seabirds, turtles, and other wildlife, blocking their digestive tracts and causing them to starve to death. They are also a leading cause of entanglement.
Instead of balloons, try bubbles, leaf confetti, flower and foliage garlands, tree planting, paper planes, wool pompoms, kites or flags.
See here for more info – Clean Up Australia
There are numerous small and simple steps we can all take to lead a more sustainable and eco-conscious life:
See here for more info – Sustainability and environment
We can all make a real difference for wildlife! Whether it's volunteering at a rehab centre or wildlife park, raising funds for habitat protection or a specific wildlife organisation, or joining local clean-up and conservation events, every action helps protect our precious animals and their environments. Get involved today and be a voice for those who can't speak for themselves.
Aussie Bird Count – Aussie Bird Count 2025
Save The Black Cockatoos – Conservation Council of Western Australia
Threatened Species Bake Off – DCCEEW
https://www.reversethered.org/
Image kindly taken by Alex Cearns @ Houndstooth Studio.
