WWF Australia Supports Priority List

The Australian government has announced its plan to save 110 species of animals and plants from becoming extinct.

Species in danger

Australia has a large number of species that are in danger of dying out. More than 1,900 species are on the endangered list. The government report produced in July this year showed that Australia has lost more mammals than any other continent.

The newly elected Australian government has pledged to make a change. They have flagged 110 priority species that they hope to protect from extinction.

Zero extinction plan

The list includes 22 birds, 11 reptiles, 30 plants, 21 mammals and various fish and invertebrates. It is the first time a zero extinction plan has been put in place by the Australian government, and covers the whole of Australia not just a particular region.

Protection of land too

Alongside protecting the listed species, the government is also looking to protect at least 30% of its land, including large mountainous regions. In all the project will cost in excess of £250 million.

Conservationists have broadly welcomed the plan but some believe protecting specific species leaves others in danger. There are many species that are not on the list that may not be so critical in terms of their numbers but are no less in danger from external threats such as climate change or habitat destruction.

The WWF in Australia is supportive of the government’s stance, and believe that wealthy countries such as Australia can afford to apply the latest scientific methods of conservation to combat the issue.