OUR NATIVE ANIMALS. 
Our Native Animals from an Economic 
Stand-point. 
By A. S. Le SOUEF.* 
RSD EEING that great changes are taking place in our native fauna, 
{ <i|_ it is as well to consider its value or otherwise to the country, 
(A) and, if necessary, to further protect and increase, if possible, 
nf} the asset it represents. 
It may fairly be-said that in the next century only animals of 
absolutely economic value will find room in any country outside of 
reserves, so rapidly is the unused land of the earth being occupied and 
turned to commercial use. 
OX 
VULPINE_ OPOSSUM. 
{Photo. by Harry Burnell. . 
Our native animals have a very distinct commercial value not 
generally recognised, in that they can thrive in country that will not 
carry ordinary stock; opossums live in the forests, wallabies in rough 
scrub lands, and kangaroos, owing to their ability to travel long 
distances, can pick up a living in country that is of no use to the 
pastoralists, thus it is possible to make otherwise useless country yield 
“some revenue from their skins and hides. 
* Director Taronga Zoological Park, Sydney. 
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