Starting In Conservation
     The conservation of Australia wildlife has several aspects.  Habitat preservation, feral predator control, an understanding what they need and an interest in Australian wildlife conservation.
     Sadly, Australia is a different place to what it was before the Aborigines came and after European settlement.  It will never be the same, but we can do things to make it better.
     The preservation of habitats and ecosystems is very important.  Expanding these areas via the planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses and weed control. 
     It is no point in preserving a habitat when nothing is done to exclude introduced predators like foxes, cats, wild dogs and dingoes.  These animals need to be controlled.
     Today the emphasis is on keeping things tidy and clean.  Farmers clean up fallen branches, old car bodies etc.  These places provide great habitats for lizards, snakes, insects, small mammals and birds.  There need to be a balance.  The only place where the Eastern-barred Bandicoot was found to still exist was in a garbage tip.  The tip provided food and excellent cover. 
     Wildlife corridors are good for animal movement but are not practical as a habitat.  They are too narrow and the planting of trees in lines creates straight runways.  A fox will penetrate 50 metres into a forest from a trail.  Small birds do not feel safe from native predators like hawks and falcons.  In order to provide an effective area of habitat, the plantings need to be random and scattered.  Large areas need to be planted and conserved.

© Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat 2009