How can you help threatened species?
Be informed
Find out how to identify invasive species to ensure your actions are appropriate. Weeds vs. native plants - are you planting non-native plants that might become a problem?
Cane toads vs. native frogs - not all native frogs are green!
Check before you move plants and animals - are you taking plants/animals to a place where they do not naturally occur?
Introduced rats and mice vs. native rodent and marsupial species - ensure that if you are using mouse/rat traps that they are not catching native species.
We are all responsible, especially if we own, manage or use land or water resources. Since most environmental weeds are not declared noxious at present, this responsibility is not a legal, but a moral one - a duty of care.
What else can you do?
Do not dump garden waste containing weeds at the edge of bushland (particularly national parks and conservation parks) as the weeds can grow and spread.
Choose appropriate native plants for your garden. It is important that, as a community, we choose to grow non-invasive garden plants. This is not as simple as just buying native plants; as mentioned earlier, some native species have become serious weeds when grown outside their natural ranges. Weeds are also spread from gardens by wind and by birds and flying foxes. To tackle the environmental weed problem all parties (urban and rural landholders, industry, State and local governments) need to understand the issues and work together.
Weedbuster Week.
Weedbuster Week in the second week of October is a time when people all over the country join together to help stop the spread of weeds. For more information log on to the Weedbuster Week website
Do not deliberately move plants and animals. Even short-distance movements can spread diseases, lead to local extinctions and disrupt genetic diversity.
Check for stowaways.
When travelling (especially when camping) check for stowaways before you leave an area.
FoxWatch.
Report sightings of foxes on the Atherton Tableland to confirm their presence and ensure they do not spread. Foxes are potentially a very serious threat to the endangered northern bettong.
Domestic cats can become wild if abandoned or allowed to stray. Even domestic cats hunt and kill animals instinctively. Cat control should begin in the home. If you're a cat owner, please:
- label your cat with a collar, tag, microchip or tattoo.
- desex your cat to avoid unwanted litters.
- keep your cat indoors at night (ideally in an enclosure) to prevent it from preying on native animals.
- provide adequate food and shelter for your cat. Provide your cat with enclosed areas for exercise.
- attach bells to your cat's collar so that it can't stalk animals.
- support moves to introduce cat controls, such as identification, registration and curfews.
Amphibian disease
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is working with James Cook University on a Natural Heritage Trust-funded project to find solutions to the threats posed by the amphibian chytrid fungus to native frog populations. Report frog deaths to your local QPWS office.
Last updated: 09 August 2007