Threatened species conservation classes

Species may be classed as near threatened if they are at risk of becoming threatened in the near future.

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 or
• it is likely that a large reduction in the wildlife’s numbers is imminent or
• the wildlife’s geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife and restricted or
• 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 or
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is very low or
• 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 or
• it is likely a moderate reduction in the wildlife’s numbers is imminent or
• the wildlife’s geographical distribution is precarious for the survival of the wildlife and limited or
• 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 or
• the estimated total number of mature individuals is low or
• the probability of the wildlife’s extinction in the wild is at least 10% in the medium-term future.

Near threatened

A species is classed as near threatened if:

• the population size or distribution of the wildlife is small and may become smaller or
• the population size of the wildlife has declined, or is likely to decline, at a rate higher than the usual rate for population changes for the wildlife or
• the survival of the wildlife in the wild is affected to an extent that the wildlife is in danger of becoming vulnerable (as defined above) or
• wildlife is the subject of a threatening process.

Least concern species

A species is classed as least concern if:

• the wildlife is common or abundant and likely to survive in the wild.

Native wildlife may be prescribed as least concern wildlife even if:

• the wildlife is the subject of a threatening process or
• the population size or distribution of the wildlife has declined or
• there is insufficient information about the wildlife to conclude whether the wildlife is common or abundant or likely to survive in the wild.

All plants, birds, reptiles and amphibians indigenous to Australia, other than those that are extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or near threatened wildlife, are least concern wildlife.

Related information

• The Nature Conservation (Plants) Regulation 2020 and the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 lists species that are classed as threatened in Queensland.
• The Threatened Species Listing report, which provides more detailed information, is updated when changes are made to the regulations.
• View recent changes to the classification of Queensland wildlife.
• The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) lists species that are threatened nationally.
• Refer to the Australian Government’s Species Profile and Threats Database to access recovery plans, conservation advices and other information for wildlife classed as nationally threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
• Obtain a report on the classes of wildlife in specific areas of Queensland, or request a property report and vegetation maps to see if there is essential habitat for a species for a particular area.
• Make a nomination to change the conservation status of a species.