Wildlife in our City

Barn owl perched on a tree branch, surrounded by lush green leaves.

Our recent bushland fauna surveys identified over 130 native species, including 12 that are threatened by extinction. Some of the endangered animals that live and forage in our city include:

We're focused on protecting these species and need to look after their environments to ensure that they thrive in the City.

Bushland Fauna Surveys

What you can do

Your help can directly affect the prosperity of threatened animal populations. Creating habitat within your property, such as backyards, balconies, common areas and school grounds, is a great way to provide a safe and welcoming environment for wildlife.

Here are some of our top tips to help create your own slice of backyard wildlife heaven:

  • Plant dense, local indigenous shrubs and grasses to provide food and shelter for native birds and insects.
    • Banksias, bottlebrushes, grevilleas and wattles are ideal for nectar sourcing birds such as lorikeets and honeyeaters as well as attracting insects, such as butterflies.
    • Eucalypts and Casuarinas provide fruits for seed eating birds such as finches, parrots, and rosellas. Flying foxes and possums also enjoy fruit bearing plants.
  • Provide water through a birdbath or small pond for birds, frogs and lizards.
  • Avoid using herbicides and pesticides such as snail baits which can harm indigenous wildlife. Try chemical-free gardening instead.
  • Don't feed birds, possums or other animals as it encourages the common and most aggressive species, often at the expense of others. More importantly, it may actually be making the birds unwell as it’s not their natural food. Think about planting what these animals prefer to eat and leave a water source out for them instead.

Visit Habitat Stepping Stones for more ways to support our local wildlife.

Eastern Long-Necked Turtle

The Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) is one of 23 Australian freshwater turtle species and is the most widespread turtle in south-eastern Australia. They can be found in any body of water, including Lake Parramatta. Although the Eastern long-necked Turtle spends most of its time in the water, they often travel over land in search of new waterholes and nesting areas and can be known to travel very long distances in search of a new home. Travelling from one water body to another, their biggest threat is therefore crossing roads, where they can be injured or killed.

How can you help?

You can play a role in helping your local turtles by recording sightings and nesting locations on the TurtleSAT app. This data will help to conserve and reduce turtles deaths throughout your local area and Australia.

Find out more about Eastern Long-necked Turtles in Parramatta.

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