Care for the rare: On National Wildlife Day, check out these endangered species found only in Australia

Wildlife undoubtedly is an imperative part of the ecosystem, but the rapid pace of industrialisation and urbanisation in today’s era has taken its toll on the prevailing wildlife.

Colleen Paige, the Pet Lifestyle Expert, and author founded National Wildlife Day in 2005 in memory of wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin.

The day serves to bring global awareness and education concerning the number of endangered animals and the need for conservation and preservation. 

With National Wildlife Day (4th September) just around the corner, we have curated a list of rare species which one can only spot in Australia. 

Koala 
The eucalyptus forests and woodlands of Australia’s east coast are disappearing quickly, with a significant loss occurring throughout the local area.

Australia Zoo has identified the koala, an icon of this dwindling habitat, as an important conservation species. Although not listed as endangered it is on the verge of getting endangered given its pace of declined population.

The koala population has been devastated over the last hundred years and is currently under great threat due to urbanization.

Habitat Protected At: Feather dale Wildlife Park, Sydney. One can actually go and meet the Koalas and Reptile with its animal encounter experiences.

The Corroboree Frog
The Corroboree Frogs are two species of small, venomous ground-dwelling frogs, native to Southern Tablelands of Australia.

They can be widely divided into two categories which are the southern corroboree frog and the northern corroboree frog.

They are unique among frogs in that they produce their own poison rather than obtain it from their food source as is the case in every other poisonous frog species.

Habitat Protected At: Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales. The Park entails Australia’s tallest peak and one can enjoy recreational activities like skiing, Mountain Biking, white water rafting, etc.

The Eastern Curlew
The critically endangered species is the largest of all the world’s shorebirds and is one of its kind.

The Eastern Curlew is declining as a result of habitat destruction and alteration to the chain of coastal wetlands and their migratory path.

The Eastern Curlew is one of 20 birds that the Australian Government has deployed resource allocation to support the species recovery. 

Habitat Protected At: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland. More than a wildlife park it is the largest and best-known coral reef ecosystem in the world. 

Black-footed Tree-Rat
The black-footed tree-rat is also known as Djintamoonga. It is one of two endemic arboreal rat species from the genus Mesembriomys found in the northern regions of Australia.

Their population has been reduced between 30 and 50% in the last decade.

Earlier the species was thought to be extinct but now it has resurfaced and the government is taking all the measures to protect it. 

Habitat Protected At: Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, New South Wales. 

Short-nosed Sea Snakes
Short-nose sea snakes also known as Aipysurus Apraefrontalis are majorly found in the northern Western regions of Australia.

With an impressive breathing ability, it can spend up to two hours underwater, exchanging oxygen by means of a single long lung.

During the 1990s, it was one of the commonly found species of snake, but its population has declined in the past two decades.

The major reason behind the same is warming ocean temperatures as higher water temperatures themselves make survival difficult.

Habitat Protected At: Australian Reptile Park, New South Wales. One can again experience and be around the reptiles, all thanks to their venom program. 

Spotted Hand Fish
The Spotted Hand Fish is a bottom-dwelling fish with unusual fins that look like hands. The most unique feature of this fish is that it doesn’t swim rather walks to navigate across the ocean waves.

According to the state government, it was common throughout the Derwent estuary in Tasmania’s south-east prior to the 1980s, but not anymore.

The main causes of decline are uncertain, although research suggests lower numbers are related loss of sandy habitat by land clearing and heavy-metal contamination.

Monitoring of extant populations and education programs supports this species’ survival.

Habitat Protected At: CSIRO Zoo, Melbourne. If you are looking for a conventional yet fun zoo experience then this is your go-to place.