Broad-Faced Potoroo (extinct c. 1875)
With 1/3 of the planets mammalian extinctions in the last 400 years occurring in the least densely populated country on the planet… what is going on?
With the breakup of Gondwana around 140 million years ago Australia began a slow journey which has led to its modern day isolation. For the last 30 million years we have been drifting alone slowly towards the equator. During this time our native species have been evolving in isolation. in order to cling to existence in our extreme environment they have been developing innovative and unique solutions like the wombat's pouch. The lack of resources in our arid land means our species often require extensive ranges of intact native habitat in order to provide adequate nutrients for their survival.
Where did it all go wrong? Besides introducing the pig, cat, fox, dog, cane toad, camel, water buffalo, deer, and cattle which either predate on our native animals or destroy sensitive habitats like peat swamps…we clear massive tracks of native bush… often just to provide more habitat for our feral animals to thrive!
Governments have been working to control feral animals with the use of poisons, trapping and culls, but unfortunately the ‘cat is out of the bag’. At best, they can only slow the feral’s advances.
Mini Mals Australia is committed to raising awareness of the importance of conserving our unique native wildlife.
FIVE things we can all do to help:
1. Manage our pets responsibly – Australian Wildlife Conservancy believe feral cats kill up to 75 million native animals in Australia…. A night!
2. Plant native flora and eliminate weeds - Native animals evolved with native flora. Plant natives and watch the birds come in!
3. Manage and minimise our use of fertilisers – Gravity ensures any excess fertilisers will eventually end up in our estuaries… disrupting the delicate nutrient cycle and leading to the loss of species.
4. Write to politicians - nothing makes a government department respond like a letter to a Minister! Don’t let them forget… they work for us.
5. Passionately protect native habitats – Tony Abbot is wrong… we don’t have enough National Parks!
With the breakup of Gondwana around 140 million years ago Australia began a slow journey which has led to its modern day isolation. For the last 30 million years we have been drifting alone slowly towards the equator. During this time our native species have been evolving in isolation. in order to cling to existence in our extreme environment they have been developing innovative and unique solutions like the wombat's pouch. The lack of resources in our arid land means our species often require extensive ranges of intact native habitat in order to provide adequate nutrients for their survival.
Where did it all go wrong? Besides introducing the pig, cat, fox, dog, cane toad, camel, water buffalo, deer, and cattle which either predate on our native animals or destroy sensitive habitats like peat swamps…we clear massive tracks of native bush… often just to provide more habitat for our feral animals to thrive!
Governments have been working to control feral animals with the use of poisons, trapping and culls, but unfortunately the ‘cat is out of the bag’. At best, they can only slow the feral’s advances.
Mini Mals Australia is committed to raising awareness of the importance of conserving our unique native wildlife.
FIVE things we can all do to help:
1. Manage our pets responsibly – Australian Wildlife Conservancy believe feral cats kill up to 75 million native animals in Australia…. A night!
2. Plant native flora and eliminate weeds - Native animals evolved with native flora. Plant natives and watch the birds come in!
3. Manage and minimise our use of fertilisers – Gravity ensures any excess fertilisers will eventually end up in our estuaries… disrupting the delicate nutrient cycle and leading to the loss of species.
4. Write to politicians - nothing makes a government department respond like a letter to a Minister! Don’t let them forget… they work for us.
5. Passionately protect native habitats – Tony Abbot is wrong… we don’t have enough National Parks!
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