Weipa Wildlife Care Inc.
Threats to native wildlife
Biodiversity in Australia and around the world is declining from direct and indirect impacts of threats, such as clearing of habitats, pest species, industrial development and climate change. It is everyone’s responsibility to curb the loss of biodiversity, which can be achieved in many ways.
Here are some:
► implementing sustainable development and land management practices
► actively reducing threats
► conducting monitoring and research
► improving environmental awareness and education
► setting up appropriate governance structures
► implementing policies for market-based approaches to conservation, such as through water, tourism or carbon sequestration
Unfortunately, many small native animals in Cape York are on the endangered species list due to threats from feral animals, especially cats. Part of being a responsible pet owner is knowing where your pets are at all times and what they are doing. If you own a cat, please keep it inside at night time and build a protected run or enclosures for it to explore safely.
CSIRO scientist autopsided the guts of a feral pig near Pennefather Beach and found dozens of freshly hatched turtles. Unfortunately, many of the species of turtles that nest here are also on the endangered species list due to feral pigs, tourism and fishing.