Threatened species conservation classes

Where the necessary Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) criteria have been met the Governor in Council may assign Queensland native wildlife (flora and fauna) threatened with extinction to one of the following classes:

Alternatively, species may be classed as near threatened if they are at risk of becoming threatened in the near future but don’t yet meet the criteria for threatened wildlife. All other native Queensland plant and vertebrate species (excluding fish) are classed as ‘least concern’.

Extinct

• A species is classed as extinct if there is no reasonable doubt the last member of the species has died.

Extinct in the wild

A species is classed as extinct in the wild if:

• the wildlife is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or
• it is not known to survive in its known or expected habitat, in its past range, over a period appropriate to the life cycle or form of the wildlife.

Critically endangered

A species is classed as critically endangered if:

• the wildlife has undergone or is suspected to have undergone a very large reduction in numbers; or
• it is likely that a very large reduction in the wildlife’s numbers is imminent; or
• the wildlife’s geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife and very restricted; or
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is very low and it is likely the number will continue to decline at a very high rate, or continue to decline, and its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife; or
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low; or
• the probability of the wildlife’s extinction in the wild is at least 50% in the immediate future.

Endangered

A species is classed as endangered if:

• the wildlife has undergone or is suspected to have undergone a large reduction in numbers;
• it is likely that a large reduction in the wildlife’s numbers is imminent;
• the wildlife’s geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife and restricted;
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is low and it is likely the number will continue to decline at a high rate or continue to decline and its geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife;
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is very low;
• the probability of the wildlife’s extinction in the wild is at least 20% in the near future.

Vulnerable

A species is classed as vulnerable if:

• the wildlife has undergone or is suspected to have undergone a moderate reduction in numbers;
• it is likely a moderate reduction in the wildlife’s numbers is imminent;
• the wildlife’s geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife and limited;
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is limited and it is likely the number will continue to decline at a substantial rate or continue to decline and its geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife;
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is low;
• the probability of the wildlife’s extinction in the wild is at least 10% in the medium-term future.