Vulnerable and Threatened Fauna

Loss or depletion of habitat is a major threat to the future survival of our native fauna.

Pockets of remnant bushland like the Kananook Creek Reserves help to provide food, shelter and a safe refuge where breeding can take place.

Lists below indicate fauna noted in the Kananook Reserves and also listed as endangered or possibly vulnerable to endangerment in Victoria. Fish listed are patchy or restricted in their distribution.

Birds Fish

Birds

Endangered (not Critically Endangered but facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future)
Scientific Name
Common Name
 FFG
Status 		ANZECC
Status

Egretta Alba

Great Egret
(also known as Large Egret)
 

Listedegret 9k

Vulnerable (not Critically Endangered or Endangered but facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future)

Scientific Name
Common Name
 FFG
Status		 ANZECC
Status

Platalea regia

Royal Spoonbill

 

Not listed at this timespoonbill 7k

Lower Risk- near threatened (close to qualifying for Vulnerable) 
Scientific Name
Common Name
 FFG
Status		 ANZECC Status

Phalacrocorax varius

Pied Cormorant
 

Not listed at this timePied Coormorant 8k

2. Fish
Scientific Name
Common Name
 Conservation Listing in Victoria DWR, 1989

Galaxias brevipinnis

Broad Finned Galaxias

Other common names:
Climbing Galaxias, Short-finned Galaxias, Broad-finned Galaxias, Cox's Mountain Galaxias, Pieman Galaxias

Restricted / Rare

galaxias brevipinnis.jpg Description
Size: Up to 270 mm, commonly 150-170 mm.
Famous for its ability to climb steep waterfalls and rocky surfaces, it clings to the rock surface, using its fins.
Spawning may occur in the late Autumn or early Winter in upper reaches. Newly hatched larvae are carried downstream to the sea. After further development, they return to fresh water the following spring. Food includes insect larvae and surface prey such as flies.

Galaxias truttaceus

Spotted Galaxias

Also commonly (incorrectly) named as
Spotted Mountain Trout, Mountain Trout)

Restricted / Rare

Spotted Galaxias 4kDescription
Size 12 cm-14 cm maximum 20 cm. Spawning is reported as occurring in autumn or early winter near adult habitats. Larvae probably go to sea, returning as slender transparent juveniles during Spring. Reputedly good at mosquito control.

References:
1. Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2000)
Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria 2000: a systematic list of vertebrate fauna considered extinct, at risk of extinction or in danger of decline in Victoria

2. DWR, 1989. Water Victoria: An Environmental Handbook. Department of Water Resources Victoria
For more information, see contact details on Links Page
FFG: listing Status under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Schedule II
ANZECC: The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council List of Threatened Australian Vertebrate Fauna (1995) (indicating national conservation status)

 
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Photos Egret, Pied Cormorant © YL December 2002
Spoonbill © IG 2002
Fish photos we would like to credit; photographer unknown however