Australia's range of wildlife is amongst the most unique and interesting in the world. Thousands of years ago the island continent of Australia separated from the super-continent Godwana - leaving Australia in isolation from the rest of the world. This isolation lead to the development of fauna which were uniquely suited to an environment with few predators and little competition for resources.

European settlement on the continent, however, has brought threat and devastation to many native animals in Australia. Over the past two centuries, 17 of Australia's native mammals have become extinct . Nine other species that once occurred over much of the mainland now survive only on offshore islands and many others are threatened with extinction. The clear felling of forests, the impact of farming and mining activity, and the introduction of many aggressive and ecologically damaging species are the main reasons for this.

Care for the welfare of Australia's unique wildlife is an issue that we, as a community, should all embrace. The RSPCA urges all levels of the community to accept individual responsibility to protect the environment as it relates to animal welfare issues. The more we understand about Australian native animals and the threats to their survival, the greater the chance of protecting the remaining species.