BRISBANE/SYDNEY, Tuesday 30 July 2024 — A joint report from two of Australia’s leading advocacy organisations, Greenpeace Australia Pacific and RSPCA Queensland, has exposed the shocking scale of wildlife being killed every year in Australia from deforestation. 

The new report reveals 100 million native animals are displaced, harmed or killed from deforestation in Queensland and New South Wales every year — double previous estimates. In the five years from 2016 to 2021, 2.4 million hectares of forest and woodland habitats were bulldozed or cleared in Queensland and New South Wales — over twice the size of greater Sydney.

Beef production continues to drive Australia’s deforestation crisis, with 90% of the bushland destruction recorded over this period for the development of livestock pastures, but factors like urban development and forest logging also play a role.

On average, 24,000 native animals are recorded by RSPCA Queensland being rescued or admitted into its care every year, including over 500 koalas. Approximately 1,200 koalas are killed from deforestation every year.

The groups are calling for stronger nature laws that will protect Australia’s unique and globally treasured native wildlife from forest destruction, saying existing laws are inadequate to prevent the ongoing, unmitigated suffering and killing of native wildlife that results from forest destruction.

Gemma Plesman, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the ongoing suffering and death of wildlife resulting from forest destruction must end.

“Australia is a world leader in mammal extinctions and the only OECD country on a global list of deforestation hotspots — this report exposes just how dire the situation is with 100 million native animals killed or harmed every year.

“Far from slowing down, the deforestation crisis in Australia is accelerating and pushing native wildlife like the iconic koala to the brink of extinction. Significantly, the forest destruction taking place across Queensland and New South Wales is largely being driven by livestock production.

“The devastating scale of animal deaths and injuries outlined in the report demands urgent action. Alongside our colleagues at RSPCA Queensland, we’re calling for stronger nature laws that will halt nature destruction and end the extinction crisis in Australia.” 

Dr Tim Portas, Wildlife Veterinary Director at RSPCA Queensland, said that little has improved for wild animals since the last report on the crisis in 2017.

“Unfortunately, a significant proportion of the 24,000 wildlife patients admitted each and every year to our wildlife hospital are as a result of the long-term and ongoing effects of habitat destruction and fragmentation.”

—ENDS—

Media assets:

High res images, B Roll footage and the report can be found here

For more information or to arrange an interview contact:

Kate O’Callaghan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific on 0406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org

Emma Lagoon, RSPCA Queensland on 0400 814 221 or elagoon@rspcaqld.org.au  

‘100 million killed, harmed’: Joint report sounds alarm on scale of native wildlife deaths from deforestation