Australians’ declining knowledge of native wildlife and threats to quolls

Consensus Summary

A survey of 5,000 Australians revealed alarming gaps in public knowledge about native wildlife, with one in six mistakenly believing red foxes are indigenous and one in three failing to recognize quolls as native species. The findings, commissioned by the Invasive Species Council, underscore a 'growing disconnect' between Australians and their native fauna, as invasive species like foxes and cats dominate public awareness. The survey, conducted by DemosAU, also showed that while kangaroos and wombats are widely recognized, other species such as quolls, bandicoots, and bettongs are fading from public consciousness. Experts warn this trend risks normalizing extinction, as species disappear from backyards and neighborhoods before vanishing entirely from memory.

The decline in native species knowledge is linked to habitat destruction and the proliferation of invasive animals, which now outnumber native wildlife in many regions. Cane toads, introduced in 1935 as a failed pest control measure, have had disastrous ecological consequences, further threatening native species. Quolls, once widespread in urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne up until the 1950s and 60s, now face critical population declines due to invasive predators and habitat loss. Conservationists argue that without intervention, future generations may grow up without ever encountering these animals, accelerating their extinction before the last individuals disappear.

Key figures in the debate include Rob Brewster, the Invasive Species Council’s rewilding manager, who described quolls as 'magnificent marsupials' with deep cultural significance to First Nations peoples. Brewster emphasized that the absence of native species from daily life makes their eventual extinction feel inevitable. Associate Professor Diana Fisher and Professor Euan Ritchie, both wildlife ecologists, highlighted the ecological and cultural importance of quolls, with Ritchie advocating for their promotion through initiatives like the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. Their calls for greater public awareness and conservation investment reflect a broader concern about Australia’s role as a global leader in species extinctions.

While both articles agree on the core findings of the survey, the *Guardian* provides additional context about quolls’ historical presence in urban areas and their ecological role, including their predation on invasive rabbits. The *Guardian* also features proposals to use lesser-known species as Olympic mascots to raise their profiles, a suggestion not mentioned in 7NEWS. Both outlets, however, emphasize the urgent need for action to reverse the trend of native species fading from public awareness, with the Invasive Species Council urging the Labor Government to back its commitment to preventing new extinctions with tangible investment.

The articles do not identify any unresolved disputes, but they collectively highlight a critical moment for Australian wildlife conservation. The survey’s results serve as a wake-up call, revealing how quickly native species can slip from public recognition when invasive threats and habitat destruction go unchecked. Experts stress that without concerted efforts to restore ecosystems and educate the public, the loss of species like quolls could become irreversible, leaving future generations with a diminished natural heritage.