Held each year on 7 September, Threatened Species Day commemorates the death of the very last Tasmanian Tiger in 1936.
The day raises awareness about how we can protect our threatened species and is also a celebration of our diverse wildlife.
According to the IUCN Red List, Australia has 86 species that are considered Critically Endangered.
Learn more about some of our country’s most endangered animals below.
Mountain Pygmy Possum
The mountain pygmy possum relies on a snow depth of at least one metre to get enough insulation to stay warm during hibernation, so anything that reduces snow is a threat to the possum. Other threats include foxes, feral cats, habitat loss and climate change.
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
The largest of Australia’s three wombat species, the Northern hairy-nosed wombat, is also our most endangered. At the last census in 2010, there were just 163 adult wombats remaining. Threats to their survival include wild dogs, competition for food, disease, droughts, floods and fires.
With fewer than 90 adult birds left in the wild, the orange-bellied parrot has been in serious decline since the start of the 1900s. Habitat loss, reproductive cycle and short lifespan of only two years are key factors in the parrot’s endangered status.
Western Swamp Tortoise
The Western Swamp Tortoise, also known as the short-necked tortoise, is Australia’s most endangered reptile. Its biggest threats include climate change, fires and habitat loss.