Wild At Art is a national threatened species competition for kids. It is a celebration of Australia's natural world. And it's an opportunity for young voices to be heard.
This year, 5000 young people across the country took on the big task of speaking up to protect Australia’s threatened plants and animals – supported by wonderful teachers, parents and guardians!
We wanted to award every artwork for creativity and passion. It was incredibly difficult for our judges to narrow the outstanding talent down to just a handful of winners – but here are their top picks.
Scroll down to view the winning artworks, written pieces and People’s Choice winner. You can also check out the full list of finalists in our Facebook album or watch the celebration event hosted live on 13 September 2024:
First place best artwork ages 5-7
Frog and snail by Junchen, age 5
I choose tree frog because they are beneficial for the environment. They are cute and very good at climbing trees. Their tongues are long so they can even capture a slow moving snail from distance!
Second place best artwork ages 5-7
The silent swimmer: guardians of Australian waters by Watson, age 7
This artwork portrays the unique and enchanting platypus, an iconic yet threatened native Australian animal. The platypus is depicted gracefully gliding through its aquatic habitat, symbolising the delicate balance of nature. The bright blue water and playful bubbles emphasize platypus‘s vital connection to its environment. With its soft fur and duck-like bill, the platypus reminds us of the amazing creature that live in our environment. This piece serves as a reminder of the fragile ecosystems that support Australia’s wildlife, urging us, especially kids to help protect these remarkable creatures before they disappear from our rivers and streams forever.
First place best artwork ages 8-10
Thorny devils under the sun by Joshua, age 10
Thorny devils are reptiles with thorns that extend from head to tail. In broad daylight in the desert, the body, which was olive brown in the morning, turns yellow and red in the warm sunlight. It's cute to walk slowly, stop frequently, and rock back and forth to hide yourself from foxes, bobcats, coyotes, goannas, falcons and snakes. The sight of the body puffing up to look bigger is also attractive. I heard that Thony devil's numbers are decreasing. This is because they are threatened by habitat loss and climate change and are often hit by cars. I am interested in animals, so when I go to the library, I read a lot of books about animals. They also draw pictures of endangered animals and give them to people around them to teach them about endangered animals. There isn't much we can do yet, so my brother, sister and I are each hoping to help a little through donations. I heard that the great and wonderful gift we have received called nature has the ability to recover. If everyone unites and acts together, we will be able to protect these precious animals and nature.
Second place best artwork ages 8-10
Talons of Tasmania by Caleb, age 10
"Talons of Tasmania – Free and Fearless" depicts a Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle soaring above its ideal habitat of lush bushes, green plains and snow-capped mountains. This contrasts to the accurate habitat of a Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, being constantly disturbed and oppressed. Tasmanian eagles can die due to electrical wires electrocuting them, eating animals that have been poisoned with pesticides and vehicle accidents while they eat dead animals on the road. This painting inspires us to work toward saving the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles and to make this ideality into reality.
First place best artwork ages 11-12
Endangered numbat by Eden, age 12
The endangered animal that I have painted is called the numbat. It lives in Western Australia and it's also the faunal emblem of Western Australia. The numbat is a small slender mammal, with a small, pointed head, small upright ears and a brown to reddish in color on its back paired with a black and white banding. The numbat is especially special because it controls the termite populations which is important because they can cause significant damage to the vegetation and the soil.
Second place best artwork ages 11-12
Lone trooper by Anya, age 12
I chose the Red Goshawk. The Red Goshawk is an incredibly rare bird of prey. It is majestic and commanding. Unfortunatly it’s listed as vulnerable and endangered in some states, this is mainly due to major habitat loss. I chose to draw it because it is a meaningful animal to me as I have always liked birds, and this bird is beautiful. I’m grateful that I was able to portray the full majesty of this bird in this unlucky circumstance.
First place best groupwork
The reflection of a koala, from Tamm Art Studio
This collage was created by 33 students (ages 5-12) over 4 weeks using recycled materials (such as newspapers, magazines, and wrapping paper).
The top half depicts a koala on a riverbank, having fun with his happy and lively friends. An emu-wren just had babies (in the tree) and comes to share the news. A rock wallaby and a quail congratulate the wren and a numbat brings a Whibley wattle as a gift. Gouldian finches sing and a greater glider and a Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle are enjoying the songs. A platypus is dancing in the river. Even the southern bent-wing bat is awake! The forest is full of beautiful plants, including Wyong sun orchid, matchstick banksias, golden tip and more!
The lower half depicts the koala’s reflection on the river. In the reflection, the koala is crying. The trees have been chopped down and a truck is removing the remaining logs. The forest has become a wasteland, surrounded by smoke from factories. All the koala’s friends are gone. He is lonely, sad and starving.
These are two possible realities—but which is the future for the koala and his friends? We hope we can all work together towards a future depicted in the upper part—one where our lovely animals and plants can enjoy a happy life!
Second place best groupwork
Wild holiday to see and feel, from Art Land
Dreamed wild holiday with all treasures” this painting took 21 students (aged from 5-12) three weeks to complete by acrylic paints and recycled cosmetics that tells a story. Christmas frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) and white-tailed tropicbird (phaethon lepturus) spreads their wings and soars. Easter curlew and hooded plovers take a leisurely walk down the golden beach. Orange-bellied parrot and golden-shouldered parrot would love to joining in for a walk too. Aha, so noisy in the forest with all the creatures singing, laughing and chatting. Look! Princess parrot; red goshawk; regent honeyeater; dollarbird (eurystomus orientalis); the cicadabird (edolisoma tenuirostre); red-tailed black cockatoo; male fregata minor; purple-crowned fairywren and king-island scrubtit are surrounded by various beautiful flowers such as acacia kingiana; caladenia brachyscapa plant; diuris bracteate; Euphrasia rupture; leucopogon cryptanthus; tetratheca fasciculate; acacia purpurpetala and banksia fuscobractea. We sadly to see them endangered in Australia, please save our environment together!
First place best artwork from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
The Dance of the Brolgas by Judy, age 12
My painting is based on the Brolga because it is a threatened species. The most recent population estimate of Brolga’s in Victoria is 600 – 700 birds, with the population remaining at about the same level for the past decade. One of the biggest threats to the Brolgas is the loss and degradation of their wetland habitats. I am one of the fighters who want to fight for the survival of these birds because they are so gracious.
Second place best artwork from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
Bottle Brush Under the Sun by Bradley, age 11
I'm a Biripi young man and I chose the bottle brush because it is famous in my culture. It is unfortunately an endangered species of the myrtle family. The bottlebrush is an icon and is even more important in the Aboriginal culture giving them a source of food in rough times. Over 25 species of bottlebrush have become extinct over the past 120 million years. It may not seem like a large number however, 10 of them have become extinct in a short amount of time. It has survived many adaptations since Jurassic times and will continue to endure, like my people.
First place best entry from a regional artist
Sheltered by nature by Kayley, age 10
They are scared, they are frightened, and they are terrified! What we are doing to the numbats is so ruthless and self-centred. We are cutting down their trees, their homes. We are endangering them. They are hunted as well, not only by predators, but by Australia’s raging bushfires. This unique and interesting species, control termite population, are active during the day, and are surprisingly related to the extinct Tasmanian Tiger!
I was inspired by the artwork of Alex Artiste Peintre; a woman who creates extraordinary designs of animals backed by unique patterns created with household objects. I chose to use natural resources (sourced from our Australian native garden) to remind people that every natural resource is the numbats home.
I have titled my piece 'Sheltered by Nature' because it expresses a future that I hope for numbats, a life of peace, safety and happiness in a natural environment.
Second place best entry from a regional artist
The amazing blue whale by Willow, age 8
The species I chose is the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). It is found off the coast of western Australia, near Perth. Two interesting facts I learned is that the heart of this whale is the size of a car and its tongue weighs as much as an elephant.
I love Blue Whales and I would be very sad if they did not exist any more because of humans not caring enough about other living things, like these beautiful whales.
I would like people to stop hunting ANY whales and do better things to fix climate change so in the future the whales will still be alive as an important species on our planet.
In my painting my whale looks free and happy swimming in the clean, clear water, the way it should be forever.
First place best plant
Albany pitcher plant by Antony, age 7
The Albany pitcher plant (Cephalotus follicularis), commonly known as the Australian carnivorous plant, secretes a liquid from its pitcher-shaped leaves that attracts insects. Once the insects are lured into the pitcher, they slip inside and become trapped, eventually being digested and absorbed by the plant.
This plant can survive in nutrient-poor environments, but due to deforestation, land development, and many other reasons, its population is decreasing. I hope the government can take steps to protect them.
Second place best plant
Fletcher’s drumsticks by Bella, age 9
I chose the Fletcher’s Drumstick Plant because my last name is Fletcher and my sister used to play the drums . I love the look of the beautiful plant I also want to let people know that the plant is under threat of extinction so they stop stepping on the plant.
First place most unusual artwork
Cries from the bony deep by Hayden, age 9
This artwork is about the endangered species of the Southern Bluefin Tuna. In 2009 there were more than 490,000, but now there are less than 25,000 because of overfishing, and other human activity.
As you can see, the bluefin tuna is being turned into sushi. The sushi represents how quickly we can turn fish into food. But it takes a very long time for a fish to grow up.
The fish bones underneath the fish show us how many fish we have killed. The ‘HELP’s is called out by the fish bone. The fish holding the ‘HELP ME’ sign, is trying to withstand the pain of getting chopped up, in front of his once lively friends.
Second place most unusual work
Underneath the pier by Renee, age 12
White’s Seahorses are used to peaceful lives along the east coast of Australia, basking in sponge gardens and seagrass meadows. Now they are facing a terrible threat. Their natural habitats are disappearing too quickly for them to adjust. Within Port Stephens, over 90 percent of the soft coral habitats have been ruined boat moorings and anchors, leaving many seahorses without a home.
I’ve chosen to depict this endangered Australian species in my drawing because seahorses are often printed onto kid’s stationery and accessories, but are rarely portrayed as an animal in danger.
I’ve used fine liners and colored pencils to create this artwork, which is picturing a family of safe seahorses, wishing it will become reality.
Breeding programs are doing everything they can to help bring back this species after decades of struggle. With hundreds released back into wild, they may learn to thrive again.
Best written work ages 5-7
The Mary River turtles' polluted playground by Hannah, age 7
The Mary River Turtle is like a little green-haired superhero from Australia, with a funny green “wig” of algae. These turtles are super rare and need our help because their ocean playground is getting dirty.
In my picture, a mommy Mary River Turtle is swimming with her two baby turtles in their once-beautiful ocean. Now, their playground is full of trash like leftover French fries, empty bottles, and plastic bags. It’s sad because these baby turtles see trash as their first toys and it can make them sick.
We need to keep our Earth clean so turtles like these can have a safe and fun playground again!
Second place best written work ages 5-7
Gang-gang cockatoo by Alfie, age 6
The Gang Gang Cockatoo is special to me because it is part of my Aboriginal culture. They have soft feathers that I love to collect and feel them. I love to hear the sounds they make, that's when I know when they are around. I think they are so special, we have to look after them!!
Alfie is vision impaired and created his artwork with found objects that he could touch and feel.
First place best written work ages 8-10
Blue tongued orchid by Ivy, age 10
Little orchid swaying in the breeze, everything is peaceful, done with ease. Then suddenly she hears a big crash, a truck approaches, coming to stash. It rips her friends out, one by one, so fast, no time to run. Then come the pigs, feral and sly, uprooting, up-shooting, more orchids die. She looks into the distance, her heart on fire, and sees cattle racing towards them, none seem to tire. Now the world is filled with gloom, nothing like before, only more doom. The orchid has become very rare, we have to give them all our care. Little orchid swaying in the breeze, lets all help them please, please, please.
Second place best written work ages 8-10
The silent wings of the orange-bellied parrot by Jiaqi, age 9
Sometimes, I imagine myself as a lonely orange-bellied parrot, flying through the deep forests of Tasmania, feeling the sadness of losing my friends and my home. When I feel really lonely, I close my eyes and listen. It’s like I can hear the soft calls of other birds, reminding me that even the smallest life is beautiful and worth protecting. I dream that one day, I can become someone who protects animals, helping creatures like the orange-bellied parrot find safety and a future. I know that every soft call is like the heartbeat of the earth, telling us to take care of these fragile lives. What I want to do is make sure that every living thing has a chance to keep flying and singing on this beautiful planet.
First place best written work ages 11-12
The vanishing koala by Yebin, age 11
Fear grips my heart as I plunge from the eucalyptus tree, branches slipping through my paws like raindrops. The ground rushes closer, and everything blurs in a dizzying whirl of green and brown. I brace for impact, hoping to land safely amidst the chaos.
Living among these trees isn't just about finding food and shelter; it's my entire world. But the trees are disappearing rapidly. The sound of chainsaws fills the air; each tree lost means another home is lost for us, koalas. Without them, we struggle to survive, our habitats are shrinking, and our numbers are decreasing. Humans must realize that cutting down trees isn't just affecting the forest; it's pushing us towards extinction. Saving the trees means saving us, the koalas, and so many other creatures that depend on these forests for their lives.
Second place best written work ages 11-12
The burning staircase to extinction by Henry, age 11
When I was four, I was walking on the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay in Broome to see the historic plane wreck. I was fascinated to see a Green Sea Turtle, especially the way it moved. It looked pre-historic and majestic. I remember thinking of all the things it could tell me if it could talk. My painting shows a Green Sea Turtle that is endangered due to human activity. A fishing net represents fishing bycatch, and a city shows the impact of human development. An abstract background using reds and oranges indicates global warming. I have drawn the staircase to the moon as my memory of being in Broome was also seeing this dazzling sight. My artwork represents that if humans do not change their behaviour the turtle will walk up the staircase to the moon and never be seen again.
People's Choice award
Captured sea by Ashley, age 11
I have chosen to do the Elseya Albagula turtle, as this animal has fascinated me with its beautiful patterned shell. I have come to learn that some of the reasons, this turtle is at risk of extinction, is because of Pollution. So, I have incorporated some plastic. For this artwork I used pencil for sketching, watercolour pencils for the colour, black coloured markers for the patterns on the shell and the outlining, a variety of shells, and lastly plastic. Not only this painting has a message, it also has a good memory in it, for me because those shells that I used for decor, were actually from a holiday in Sorrento, at the beach. Overall I have really enjoyed this and I hope that you will like my finish product.
ACF would like to thank every child who took part in the 2024 Wild At Art threatened species art competition.
Header image: Darwinian Carnea by Ray, age 10 from the 2024 Wild At Art competition.
