Surfing wallabies? How can you be sure to save an animal from extinction? Well you could turn it into a pet, says Michael Archer, director of the Australian Museum in Sydney. So much damage has been done to Australia's marsupials (marsupials are animals that keep their babies in pouches) by cats and dogs - all brought in by European migrants - that he suggests people keep native animals like cuddly possums or friendly little quolls instead. What's more, many marsupials are very playful. Wallabies even like surfing in the ocean [1].
Uh oh! Don't even think about keeping penguins as pets please! We like cold sea, icebergs and fresh fish - not your warm houses!

1. New Scientist, 29/4/00, 40-43