Here is Australia, we have foxes, rabbits, cane toads, donkeys, camels, fire ants, crazy ants, feral pigs and cats, common mynas and numerous other ‘introduced’ species destroying our native habitats.
And that doesn’t include the 2,800 plants that have ‘naturalized’ with at least 10% of those already classified as invasive!
According to a study by Flinders University, over the past 60 years, that continuing invasion has cost the economy $390 billion!
Just one economy but, it’s a global problem affecting every continent and country!
Now, a new report published by The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, people have transferred around 37,000 species of animals, plants, and microbes to new habitats around the world!
More than 3,500 of these are classed as harmful invasive alien species that seriously threaten nature, nature’s contributions to people and a good quality of life
If that doesn’t worry you, consider that these invasive species could cause up to $432 billion annually in economic damage!
So next time airport customs want to take a look inside your bags, be thankful that someone is watching out for your natural environment and economic wellbeing!
