Each year, September 7, marks National Threatened Species Day, a day to stop and reflect on the fact that on that same date in 1936, Australia’s Tasmanian tiger became extinct. Decades later and our country’s wildlife is still threatened each day with the possibility of passing over the extinction line, especially following the devastating bushfires earlier this year.
To recognise the day, WWF Australia has released a powerful video featuring influential voices – including Layne Beachley, Victoria Lee and Stephanie Rice – calling on all Aussies to take action to protect our beloved wildlife and their habitats. It brings to light Australia’s worst rate of extinction in the world, a crisis expedited by the devastating bushfires which saw more than 12 million hectares of natural habitats destroyed.
Coinciding with the call to action, WWF released a report on the impact those bushfires had on the koala population, one of the species greatly affected by the catastrophe. The worst site affected was Kiwarrak, where researchers found no evidence that any koalas survived the summer blaze.
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“Our wildlife and wild places have recently endured a disastrous bushfire season, with over three billion native animals killed or displaced by the fires. Our wildlife needs our protection now more than ever. We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to turn things around. With the help of our influential partners, we’re asking all Australians to do their part and call on our leaders to strengthen our nature laws and ensure they are properly and independently enforced,” said Rachel Lowry, WWF-Australia’s Chief Conservation Officer.
Watch the video below :
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Using her platform to draw attention to animal extinction is especially important to model Victoria Lee, who grew up surrounded by these animals in rural Australia.
“Growing up in Narrandera, I understood from a very young age the importance of taking care of our environment that it is our responsibility to preserve and live in harmony with nature,” she said. “I have so many fond memories as a kid—going for walks spotting koalas, wallabies and echidnas with my brother and cousins. At the rate we’re destroying habitat, who knows if amazing animals like koalas will be around in years to come. Now is the time to show our government that our beautiful wildlife matters to us.”
Ways To Lend Your Support
Sign the End Animal Extinction petition
Ask your local politician to protect wildlife and their homes
