Threatened species

What is a threatened species?

When all the plants or animals of one particular kind are dead, we call them extinct - they are gone forever. Any plant or animal that is at risk of becoming extinct is called a threatened species.

In Australia, 140 plant and animal species have become extinct since the First Fleet arrived in 1788.

How can threatened species be saved?

We can save threatened species by protecting them from the things that threaten them. This is done by controlling weeds and feral animals, and by stopping the clearing of land where threatened species live. National parks are places where people look after threatened species and their homes.