Threatened species in Queensland are listed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) in these categories:
- vulnerable
- endangered
- critically endangered
- extinct in the wild
- extinct wildlife.
Comparison of species numbers between 2019 and 2024
- The total number of fauna species listed as threatened has increased by 48.
- The total number of fauna listed under vulnerable decreased by 22.
- The total number of fauna listed under endangered increased by 19. The number of species listed as critically endangered is 48 (new category).
- The total number of species listed as extinct in the wild and extinct was 15 in 2024, compared to 12 presumed extinct in 2018.
The number of listed threatened species in Queensland includes:
- 78 birds
- 58 mammals
- 55 reptiles
- 37 frogs
- 21 fish
- one spider.
The number of fish species listed increased from five in 2019 to 21 in 2024, while the number of crayfish increased from two to 16.
A spider was added to the vulnerable list for the first time. The Darling Downs giant trapdoor spider was newly described in 2023 and listed as vulnerable due to its limited dispersal ability and restricted habitat.
Threatened species status changes
As part of the Common Assessment Method process to align threatened species status between the NCA and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC), the following new classes were added:
- extinct
- critically endangered
Misaligned species have been reviewed, resulting in some significant changes to:
- the status of many listed species
- the number of species in each category
- the total number of listed species.
Changes in the number of species within each category may reflect the reassessment of species’ status, not just the addition of new species to the threatened list.
First Nations impact
The loss of fauna species significantly impacts First Nations peoples. Through thousands of generations, they have passed on their knowledge relating to the protection, management, and sustainable use of fauna species as:
- a food source
- for medicine, shelter, tools and utensils
- totemic, religious and ceremonial purposes.
Any future loss of fauna species compromises First Nations peoples’ responsibility to maintain their cultural knowledge systems and connection to Country through culturally led stewardship.
