Fauna of Australia in Australia, feeding on sea grass in coastal areas. The destruction of sea grass beds is a threat to the survival of this species. Eleven species of seal—family Pinnipedia—live off the southern coast. Australia and its territories are home to around 800 species of bird; 45% of these are endemic to Australia. The fossil record of birds in Australia is patchy; however, there are records of the ancestors of contemporary species as early as the Late Oligocene. Birds with a Gondwanan history include the flightless ratites (the emu and southern cassowary), megapodes (the malleefowl and Australian brush-turkey), and a huge
Emu (ship) Emu (ship) Emu was merchant ship that transported convicts to Australia. An American privateer captured her in 1812 as she was carrying female convicts to Van Diemen's Land. Governor Lachlan Macquarie requested on 30 April 1810 that the British Government supply the colony with two brigs (colonial ships) that would not be subject to the control of the Admiralty. The British government provided "Emu" and "Kangaroo". Lieutenant Alexander Bisset received a letter of marque for "Emu" on 21 September 1812. "Emu" left England in October 1812 with 49 female convicts. While she was en route to Hobart Town, the American