Caring for wildlife
Australia's native wildlife is particularly interesting because many species are unusual and found nowhere else in the world. Our native plants and animals are part of our folklore and help make Australia special.
Saving individual species from extinction makes good sense. Apart from the potential economic value of a species for food, medicine, eco-tourism and other productive uses, each species has an important role to play in maintaining the balance of nature.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) protects our wildlife in many ways, including protecting areas specifically for nature conservation, such as national parks. It also works with landholders to conserve areas of habitat for native plants and animals through nature refuges. Activities like clearing native vegetation and plants, hunting animals and harvesting plants, which could harm our native wildlife, are controlled through a system of permits.
Last updated 14 June 2011