Tasmania’s wilderness was isolated from the perils of the Australian mainland for 10,000 years but human impacts have now begun to threaten its native animals and plants.
The forest’s top predators, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the Tasmanian devil are among those under threat. A mysterious facial tumour disease now threatens the devils future and 56% of the state is already affected. Fewer than 1500 Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles remain and despite being listed as endangered under federal and state law, the population continues to decline.
Tasmania’s isolation from the mainland for over 10,000 years has until recently kept introduced predators such as the dingo and fox away
Recent evidence has confirmed that a small number of foxes has established a population in Tasmania, if this population grows, devastation of the state’s biodiversity is likely
The fox is an efficient predator and is recognised nationally as a major threat to Australia’s native land animals.
The spread of the fox on the mainland has wiped out the eastern quoll, bettong and pademelon and if it establishes in Tasmania, these 3 species could disappear altogether
Feral rabbits and hares are also established throughout Tasmania and while they provide a food source for the eagle, the impact of their relentless browsing on the Australian flora has been significant
