Wildlife
The department hotline
To report wildlife emergencies relating to cassowaries, crocodiles or C3 bats (a bat that has bitten or scratched a person, or the person has had exposure to the bat’s saliva or neural tissue through their mucous membranes, e.g. eye), pollution incidents and enquiries, contact the department.
To report all other wildlife emergencies such as sick, injured or orphaned animals, marine animal strikes or strandings, contact the RSPCA Qld.
As the agency responsible for nature conservation in Queensland, the department is closely involved in identifying and assessing the living parts of the state's natural resources—plants, animals and ecosystems.
Part of this identification and assessment occurs through the species prioritisation framework 'Back on Track', which the department has initiated. The 'Back on Track' framework is designed to prioritise species, regardless of their current legislative classification, to better reflect the level of management required to conserve Queensland's plants and animals in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
Research and monitoring programs determine what is happening to our wildlife and ecosystems and how best to protect these precious resources.
Some research programs have been operating for more than 20 years, providing very reliable data on the conservation status of those species.
WildNet, a computerised information database on Queensland's wildlife, is vital to the effective storage and distribution of research information.
However, knowledge of some species and ecosystems is inadequate to ensure their conservation. To protect nature, we have to understand how species and ecosystems are affected by threats to wildlife.
So, research is vitally important if we are to conserve and manage Queensland's natural heritage.
Changes and new additions to Queensland's wildlife categories
The Department of Environment and Resource Management's Species Technical Committee (STC) progressively assesses the categories assigned to Queensland wildlife—in conjunction with various scientific experts—to ensure they remain current.
Read more about wildlife reclassification.
Last updated 31 August 2011