Australia's threatened species

http://www.science.org.au/nova/010/010key.htm

When Captain Cook was exploring the east coast of Australia, he had with him a very talented young botanist, Joseph Banks. Banks quickly realised that he was observing thousands of plant species that were obviously unique. He and Cook went home excited by all the different plants and animals they had seen during the expedition. Soon the whole of Europe was talking and speculating about the strange flora and fauna of Terra Australis.

Since then hundreds of species have become extinct in Australia, including at least 41 bird and mammal species and more than 100 plant species. It is likely that other species have disappeared too, without our knowledge (Box 1).

Biologists have now listed all those plants and animals that they know are at risk of extinction in Australia. These are called endangered species. The list includes 10 species of fish, 12 frogs, 13 reptiles, 32 birds, 33 mammals and 209 plants. In addition, there are many more species that are listed as vulnerable and some that are classified as rare.

Walpiri's Quest

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/ozreading/activities/walpiri.htm

Walpiri's Quest is based on the book An Apology to Bilbies (with good grace) written by Rob Atherton. Rob was a Senior Ranger for Queensland National Parks and Wildlife and his job was to learn as much as he could about bilbies so he could understand why there are so few of them left in Australia and think about how they could be saved.

Hands on for Habitat Awards 2003

http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/information/ts-day/habitat/

Australia's Threatened Animals and Plants Need Your Help!

One of the biggest threats to our native species is loss of habitat. When animals lose their habitat they lose the food, water and shelter they need to stay alive.

The Commonwealth Government's Natural Heritage Trust and Cadbury Yowie have joined together to offer school groups a great opportunity to help Australia's threatened species.

By entering the Hands on for Habitat Awards primary school children will learn all about Australia's amazing plants and animals, their habitat, the threats they face and most importantly what they can do to help save our native species.