Hundreds of Tasmanian species on Threatened Species list

The Tasmanian Greens today (Wed, May 25)outlined the devastating list of endangered or critically endangered species listed under the Threatened Species Protection Act(1) and called on the Labor and Liberal parties to do their utmost to protect them.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said as the International Day for Biodiversity was celebrated on 22 May 2011, the state should be proudly recognising our biodiverse ecosystems, including our precious threatened species.

Cassy O’Connor MP also said there was a worldwide biodiversity crisis and Tasmania was a microcosm, and it must be acknowledged that the natural environment underpins every part of social wellbeing.

“The Tasmanian species listed as endangered or critically endangered is large and widespread, which is depressing and embarrassing to say the least,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The International Day for Biodiversity highlights the need to adequately protect and celebrate Tasmania’s ecosystems and our unique threatened species, many of which are on the knife’s edge of survival.”

“Tasmania already lives in the shadow of the extinction from the Thylacine and the alarming lack of policy or leadership towards our remaining icons, such as the Tasmanian Devil and Wedge tailed Eagle, threatens to send them to the same fate.”

“The wellbeing of the natural environment is directly related to the wellbeing of society, including economic wellbeing; and Tasmania has an opportunity to be a beacon of sustainability and biodiversity, if we protect natives species habitat and work harder to protect those species now on the brink,” Ms O’Connor said.

References:
1 http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-58E2VD?open#ListingInformation