Threats

Many native species in Tasmania, and indeed around the world, are at risk due to introduced animals, and other disturbances, particularly loss of habitat. Learn about some of these threats, and what you can do to help.

Foxes in Tasmania
The establishment of the fox in Tasmania would lead to the decimation of our State's unique wildlife.

Feral Cats and their Impact on Native Wildlife
Feral cats can have an adverse impact on the native animals of Tasmania. Discover what you can do to help.

Other Threatening Processes

• Tasmanian devil populations are affected by Devil Facial Tumour Disease, a fatal condition characterised by the appearance of obvious facial cancers. The Department of Primary Industries and Water's web site has details.

• Often accidentally brought into Tasmania as stowaways among imported bananas, introduced tree frogs pose a significant threat to our native frogs. The Department of Primary Industries and Water web site provides details of introduced tree frogs

• Water pollution and other forms of pollution can have detrimental effects for many species. See The Department of Primary Industries and Water's web site for details.

• The potentially lethal frog disease, chytrid fungus, has enormous ramifications for our native frog populations. See The Department of Primary Industries and Water's web site for details.

• The platypus faces potential impact from an infection caused by a fungus, Mucor amphiborum. Affected animals develop ulcers on various parts of the body that can lead to death. See The Department of Primary Industries and Water's web site for details.

• Seabird by-catch by oceanic longline fishing has been identified as a key threatening process and action to alleviate the impact of longline fishing activities on seabirds has bneen undertaken. The Department of Primary Industries and Water's web site has details of the Threat Abatement Plan for By-Catch of Seabirds.