National Threatened Species Day 2005
07 Sep 2005
National Threatened Species Day, 2005, calls for Australians to identify threats to native plants and animals in their region and stop them!
Invasive species is the theme for National Threatened Species Day 2005. Invasive species include weeds and animals such as foxes, cane-toads and feral cats introduced to Australia.
National Threatened Species Day is held on September 7 every year, the day the last Tasmanian tiger died in captivity.
After land clearing, invasive weeds are the second biggest threat to native species in Australia.
Australia currently has 27,000 introduced plant species, 4000 more than the total number of native plants. Of these, over 1300 are agricultural, environmental and noxious weeds that are potentially harmful to the environment.
A WWF-Australia report, Jumping the Garden Fence, has revealed 40% of the most damaging weeds to farmers and the grazing industry have escaped from Australian gardens.
"Too many invasive garden plants remain for sale. At the moment, this is a freeway for the spread of weeds, and the environment and agriculture are the big losers," said WWF's Senior Policy Advisor, Andreas Glanznig.
WWF-Australia estimates there are over 54 000 plants and animals threatened with or facing the threat of extinction in Australia.
National Threatened Species Day was developed by the Threatened Species Network, a community-based program of WWF-Australia and the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust.
WWF-Australia has supported more than 270 community projects across Australia helping to protect threatened species. The 2005 TSN Community Grants were also announced on September 7.
Events will continue to be held nationally throughout Biodiversity Month.
For more information
Charlie Stevens, WWF-Australia Communications Officer
Mobile: 0424 649 689
