26 February 2024
World Wildlife Day, celebrated annually on 3 March, is a global occasion to honour and raise awareness about the invaluable contributions of wild animals and plants to our planet. This year’s theme, “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation,” encourages us to explore how technology can enhance wildlife protection and conservation efforts.
When it comes to global biodiversity, technological advancement is making it increasingly easy to map, survey, catalogue and monitor the complement of life on this planet.
Digital innovations enhancing wildlife protection and conservation efforts
Infrared and remote-sensing cameras
Infrared and remote-sensing cameras have been a game-changer for the conservation of species such as the endangered spotted-tailed quoll. Camera traps are assisting Wildlife Queensland’s Quoll Seekers Network in monitoring the presence (or absence) of cryptic spotted-tailed quolls in South East Queensland.
Our projects team uses a combination of high and low-tech solutions, with the recent addition of wildlife detection dogs to sniff out traces of quolls in suitable habitats. Read about our infra-red camera surveys for quolls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
AudioMoth acoustic monitors
A trend towards increased portability and off-grid utility has resulted in lightweight telemetric trackers and transmitters, solar-powered or long-lasting remote cameras, and better audio-monitoring devices, such as the AudioMoth acoustic monitoring devices helping Wildlife Queensland’s Queensland Glider Network and Yellow-bellied Glider Project teams locate Australia’s most vocal glider species, Petaurus australis, in South East Queensland.
Deploying AudioMoths in suitable eucalypt forest habitat allows Wildlife Queensland project managers to eavesdrop on the Australian bush, listening for the familiar screech and shriek of glider colonies.
This stunning yellow-bellied glider was spotted on a Yellow-bellied Glider Project survey in SEQ.
Josh Bowell retrieving an AudioMoth that was set up at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk in the Gold Coast Hinterland to monitor yellow-bellied gliders.
10 ways you can make a difference this World Wildlife Day
On Sunday 3 March 2024, join us in celebrating Queensland’s incredible biodiversity and taking action to protect it. From wildlife conservation events to community clean-up efforts, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
- Nature Walk, Takura Environmental Reserve, Fraser Coast, 8 AM – 11 AM
Join Wildlife Queensland Fraser Coast Branch for a stunning nature walk. Learn about and spot local wildlife. >> MORE INFORMATION - Wildlife Wise workshop, Underwood Park Community Centre, Priestdale, 10 AM – 12 PM
Celebrate World Wildlife Day with Wildlife Queensland and Logan City Council at this fun, free educational workshop where you’ll get the chance to meet native animals and learn more about local wildlife. >> REGISTER NOW - Wildlife Queensland Clean-Up Australia Day events:
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- Step up for our environment and wildlife and join Wildlife Queensland Bayside Branch for a Clean Up Australia Day event from 7:30 AM at Sel Outridge Park, Redland Bay. >> REGISTER NOW
- Join Wildlife Queensland Sunshine Coast & Hinterland Branch for a Clean Up Australia Day event from 8:00 AM at Ben Bennett Bushland Park, Caloundra. >> REGISTER NOW
- Return any eligible containers you collect to your local Containers for Change refund point and cash in your containers for wildlife.
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- Be a Wildlife Protector and help protect our unique biodiversity for generations to come.
- Organise a fundraiser to support our vital wildlife conservation projects. Contact us for more information.
- Become a Wildlife Queensland member and join your local branch.
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share your love of wildlife by posting your wildlife pics and tagging us @wildlifequeensland
- Symbolically Adopt an Animal to support Wildlife Queensland’s vital conservation work for the survival of threatened wildlife and their habitats.
- Subscribe to Wildlife Australia magazine or purchase some fantastic products from our Wildlife Queensland shop. All magazine and shop proceeds support our work to protect and conserve Queensland’s native wildlife.
- Report a wildlife sighting and help us to understand the distribution and conservation needs of threatened native animals.
More information about World Wildlife Day 2024 is also available on the World Wildlife Day website.