Help an Aussie out

It’s all too easy to think about climate change in reference to humans. You may not be aware (or have even considered) that many animal and plant species will be affected by climate change before we are. This is highlighted in a study published in the scientific journal Nature in 2004, which reported that a global temperature rise of 2°C, would result in the extinction of between 15 and 37 percent of the world’s species by the year 2050.

Australian studies have identified that 90 Australian animal species are at risk of extinction due to changing climates. These include Western Quolls, Mountain Pygmy-Possums and a range of frogs, lizards and birds. The Climate Action Network of Australia believe that many more species would be identified as ‘threatened’ if it were not for the low level of federal government funding allocated to research into the impact of climate change on Australian animals.

Many Australian animal species are highly vulnerable to long term increases in temperatures. They rely on particular plant species for habitat and food, and changing climates can lead to a loss (or change) of vegetation, dramatically reducing an animal’s ability to survive. Fire and introduced species, such as cats and cane toads, also threaten the survival of native animals and their habitats.

So what can we do to prevent our native species from becoming extinct?

One possible solution is for Australians to keep Aussie animals as pets. We need to expand our idea of pets as dogs, cats, goldfish and budgerigars to include native marsupials, mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs.

Owning Aussie animals can reap double benefits. Not only will increased contact with them raise awareness of their situation in our changing climate, but animals living in our backyards could potentially be bred to restock wild populations. From this point of view, owning an Aussie could be like biological insurance. And there is already cases of this happening. For example, captive bred Lake Eacham Rainbow Fish and Gouldian Finches have been released to boost numbers in struggling populations where habitats have been damaged.

If you’re thinking of buying an Aussie animal, the state or territory you live in will influence which species you can own. Some states make it very difficult or impossible to own native animals, others restrict you to particular species, while some, such as South Australia, allow permit holders to own a wide range of marsupials, mammals, birds, lizards and frogs. If Aussie animals are to stand a chance of surviving the changing climates predicted for Australia, legislation preventing native animal ownership must be amended to allow more flexibility.

Before you rush out to buy an Aussie animal, you need to take some things into consideration. Owning a native animal generally requires a licence, which includes a yearly fee and paperwork. This fee is usually reasonable and comparable to the cost of registering a dog or cat.

You should also consider the needs of your animal before you purchase one. Considerations should include whether your new pet will fit your lifestyle, whether your backyard is suitable and whether you can obtain appropriate food.

It’s also important to note that Aussie animals are wild. While they may become tame, they probably won’t come when you call them, or learn to fetch and roll over. If this is what you’re looking for, stick with a dog. However, bonding with a native animal is possible. Bob Beale, co-author of Going Native, claims his quoll is affectionate and playful like a dog, and clean like a cat.

Some animal liberationists believe that owning wild animals is inhumane. They claim that wild animals should be able to roam free and live in their natural environments. Wouldn’t these animals much rather be living in someone’s backyard than be extinct?

Australia has become known for its unique wildlife and it would be a terrible shame if species were to become extinct without an attempt to secure their future. So if you’re looking at getting a pet, why not be patriotic, and own an Aussie?

How do I know this?

Information about Australian animals

Australianfauna.com, Australian Animals, http://www.australianfauna.com/australiananimals.php  

Marsupial Society of Australia, Marsupials as pets, http://www.marsupialsociety.org/pets.html  

Marsupial Society of Australia, Fact sheets, http://www.marsupialsociety.org/facts.html  

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Search for a Species—information on native animal,s, http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/
Content/Search+for+a+species+upperlevel  

Native animal ownership permit information by state and territory

Australian Capital Territory,

Territory and Municipal Services, Licensing of plants and animals, http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/environment/
native_plants_and_animals/licensing_of_plants_and_animals  

New South Wales

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Keeping native animals as ‘pets’, http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf
/Content/keeping_native_animals  

Northern Territory

Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Wildlife permits, http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/permits/index.html  

Queensland

Environmental Protection Agency, Permits and licenses, http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/ecoaccess/plants_and_animals/
recreational_use_of_animals/keeping_wildlife_for_
recreational_purposes/  

South Australia

Department for Environment and Heritage, Fauna permits, http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/fauna_permits/index.htm  

Victoria

Department of Sustainability and Environment, Forms—plants and animals, http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrenpa.nsf/childdocs/-B1BECDD7C74958EE4A2567D7000250FE?open  

Western Australia

Department of Environment and Conservation, Reptiles as pets, http://www.naturebase.net/content/view/871/808/  

Tasmania

Department of Primary Industries, Native plants and animals, http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/SSKA-4X33SG?open  

General information

Archer, M. & Beale, B 2004, Going native: living in the Australian environment, Hodder Headline Australia Pty Limited, Sydney.

Bass, D 2007, ‘Climate change and implications for Australian ecosystems (Lecture)’, Australian Environmental Change, Flinders University, Adelaide.

Climate Action Network Australia, Australian Animals http://www.cana.net.au/bush/aus_animals.htm  

Leggett, J 2000, The Carbon War: global warming and the end of the oil era, Penguin Books Ltd, London.

Monbiot, G, 2006, Heat—how to stop the planet burning, Penguin Books, Australia