This National Threatened Species Day, the ACT Government is drawing attention to the unique plant and animal life at risk of extinction in Australia.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said the day shines an important spotlight on the work the ACT is doing to protect and conserve our native species.
“We’re in an extinction crisis, and the extinction of just one species is a sign of greater ecological collapse,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“Canberrans love the fact that we live in the bush capital of Australia, this includes a love for the species that come as a result of this title.
“National Threatened Species Day is an important date in Australian history, as it marks the date that the Tasmanian Tiger was officially declared an extinct species in 1936. It’s a stark reminder that the native species we respect and adore could slip away from us unless we act now.
“During the devastating fires in 2020 the ACT lost 80 percent of Namadgi National Park. We are working hard to recover from the impact of those fires by helping to preserve the species that were put at risk and rebuild the habitats that were lost.
“Koalas are one of the species needing urgent support and intervention to protect them from extinction.
“With no known wild koala populations currently in the ACT, these fluffy native icons have experienced significant decline over the years and were formally listed as endangered under the Native Conservation Act 2014 this year.
“In some very positive news however, some new koala joeys have recently been born in our breeding sanctuary at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. I encourage every Canberran to head out to the Eucalypt Forest and see these new joeys in person.
“Consultation on the Draft Native Species Conservation Plan for the Koala closed earlier this year with overwhelming support from the respondents and a clear message that Canberrans want to see wild populations of Koala established and preserved in the ACT.
“A listening report detailing the feedback on the plan, as well as next steps on how the plan will be finalised and implemented, will be released in the coming months.
“The ACT Government is committed to helping native species thrive across the Territory. We have numerous programs in place to help conserve and protect a range of species, from the Murray Cod in our lakes, through to Superb Parrots nesting in mature native trees and the Northern Corroboree Frogs exploring our unique wetlands.”
