Conserving wildlife
The survival prospects of our plants and animals are strongly linked together. For example, the endangered Piceatus blue butterfly depends on one she-oak tree species for its survival. Other plants and animals share special relationships—the same flying-fox that feeds on the fruit of a tree also spreads its seeds, helping the tree to regenerate.
Legislation provides some protection for native plants and animals (e.g. permits are required for activities such as collecting, trapping and hunting). National parks and other protected areas also provide habitats for wildlife, and we can also help.
Conserving native plants
All native plants are protected on national parks and other protected areas; however, conserving them is not an easy task. Soil, landscape and climate conditions influence where they grow and every one needs water, sunlight and nutrients from the soil to survive and thrive.
The long-term effects on plants of fire, weeds, and insect pests are poorly understood. The greatest threats to their survival are land clearing (for subdivision and cultivation), cattle grazing, changing fire patterns and the spread of weeds.
Unregulated collecting of native plants and plant parts for the nursery, cut flower and bush tucker trade is another potential threat to some of our native plants.
Recovery plans and conservation plans are developed to protect native plants (especially rare and threatened species) and to regulate commercial use of some native plants; however, little is known about the survival requirements of many rare and threatened species.
You can help
In the past, rare and threatened plants did not have the same public exposure as native animals, so the community has been less concerned about their survival.
The role of the community in conserving plants is crucial because half the rare and threatened species occur outside protected areas. Retaining natural vegetation on private lands is therefore essential to protecting them.
You can help conserve native plants by:
- planting local native species on your property and in your garden—rven common species provide food and shelter for wildlife
- making a special effort to grow rare or threatened species from your local area
- retaining native bushland on your property, including shrubs and grasses as well as trees.
- reporting sightings of rare or unusual species to the ranger when you visit a national park
- looking for tags on protected plants when you buy native plants, and refraining from buying any untagged plants.
Conserving native animals
The key to ensuring the survival of many native animals is protecting their habitat. They need food, water and nutrients, and places to breed and shelter from weather and predators—keep the habitat, keep the animal. National parks and other protected areas are therefore critical for wildlife conservation.
Wild animals often need large areas of bushland or wetland to survive and thrive. Where an animal's natural habitat has been cleared or reduced to small isolated patches, the local population is unlikely to survive.
Protection measures
All native animals are protected on national parks and similar reserves. In Queensland, rare and threatened animals are protected everywhere, and legislative controls help protect them from exploitation.
Native mammals, birds, and most reptiles and frogs cannot be captured, kept or used without a permit. A permit to take them from the wild is issued only when research shows that a species' natural population can sustain the permitted harvesting levels.
Illegal trafficking in native wildlife is a serious problem, and federal, state and territory governments work together to reduce it and protect our native animals.
Recovery and conservation plans are developed to:
- protect rare and threatened animals
- reduce the likelihood of their extinction
- regulate the commercial use of some common animals such as kangaroos.
Non-native species
Legislation also prevents people from keeping non-native species such as ferrets which, if they establish in the wild, could seriously threaten our native animals.
Feral animals prey on our native animals and compete with them for scarce food and shelter. The government has designed control programs to minimise this threat.
You can help
Government actions to protect our wildlife are important, but success depends on the support of the whole community.
You can help protect our native animals by:
- planting local native species in your garden and on your property
- making your garden as natural as possible with ponds and vegetation layers from ground covers to trees
- keeping or replanting natural bushland especially along creeks and fencelines so animals can use them to move between bushland remnants
- planting native shrubs and trees preferred by particular local animal species.
- growing plants which flower, as many native animals eat nectar
- leaving fallen leaves and twigs on the ground as this litter provides living places for many insects, increases nutrients in the soil, and reduces water loss
- avoiding the use of pesticides as they can harm the same insects which eat your plants and attract other native animals into your garden
- ensuring you have the necessary permits from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service before keeping any native animals
- seeking expert advice about any sick, injured or orphaned native animals you find
- focusing on what's special about an animal rather than dwelling on its possible nuisance value
- providing natural food such as flowers and fruits, rather than artificial foods such as honey and seed bells
- refraining from feeding native animals, and letting them find their own food
- refraining from harassing or chasing native animals
- restraining your dog and locking up your cat when appropriate
- driving slowly in areas where native animals are known to cross the road
- considering making your property a nature refuge, or part of a coordinated conservation area
- establishing nesting boxes for possums and birds in trees on your property.
Sick, injured or orphaned animals
If you see a sick, injured or orphaned animal in your yard or neighbourhood, you should:
- contact someone qualified to care for such animals; or
- leave it alone and let nature take its course.
If you feel strongly you want to help the animal, contact a local vet, wildlife care group or the nearest Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office, or call the department hotline.
If you want to conserve or restore native bushland in your area, funding may be available through the Caring for our Country initiative.
With your support, we can ensure the needs of our native wildlife are met—in the bush and in your backyard.
Last updated: 27 October 2009