logo
Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon's fight for survival

Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon's fight for survival

A tiny lizard, only found in the Canberra region, is in a fight for survival.
Listed as critically endangered, the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is on the brink of extinction.
"This species is in quite bad shape, it's arguably the most endangered reptile species in Australia," said research ecologist with the ACT government Ben Croak.
"Habitat fragmentation and loss is easily the biggest problem this species faces and the fragmentation of the habitat has resulted in fragmented populations that are losing genetics through inbreeding."
Dr Croak said improving the genetic diversity of the dragon is regarded as the key to ensuring the species doesn't become extinct.
"Every species needs genetic diversity to be able to deal with events in the environment, whether they are extremes, droughts, floods, disease," he said.
"
When you lose genetic diversity to the point this species has, the ability for the species to deal with those events becomes very limited.
"
Government's bid to save species
An investment of $4.5 million from the ACT government is hoping to turn the lizard's fortunes around.
ACT Environment Minister Suzanne Orr said the money would fund an "ambitious four-year recovery", including through expanding captive breeding programs.
"What the breeding program does is make sure we continue to diversify the genetics of the species," Ms Orr said.
"We can reintroduce different DNA back into our wild populations to make sure they stay healthy and continue to grow."
The $4.5 million dollar investment from the territory government is hoped to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
(
ABC News: Emily Anderson
)
Ms Orr said the reptile's survival depended on the work that is done now.
"The great hope is that we get them off the critically endangered list," she said.
"With any species, particularly this one, we are still learning a lot about it, not a lot is known."
Finding the perfect match
After not being sighted for 30 years, the species was thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in the ACT in 1991.
Wild populations are now isolated in the grasslands of the Majura and Jerrabomberra Valleys and parts of Queanbeyan.
The earless dragon was rediscovered in 1991.
(
ABC News: Emily Anderson
)
Josh Dudley, who is the program manager at the breeding facility at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, said the dragons are not the easiest animals to breed.
"They are quite picky with their mate choices," he said.
"A lot of them aren't compatible, so you will have to switch them around, sometimes they'll just fight.
"
It's a bit of a guessing game.
"
He said out of 19 breeding pairs last year, only six or seven were successful.
"Sometimes it doesn't work out and sometimes it does," he said.
"You get some that get along really well but they just don't breed as well, so they just want to be friends."
The money will flow to programs being run in the ACT as well as to expand a breeding colony at Melbourne Zoo, aiming for up to 200 breeding individuals.
The species can be very picky with their mates.
(
ABC News: Emily Anderson
)
Grassland Earless Dragon specialist Rory Keenan from Melbourne Zoo said the zoo was "incredibly excited" to continue its work with the ACT.
"It's incredibly important to conserve this species because it plays a role within the ecological communities that they occupy," he said.
"Here at Melbourne Zoo we will be able to increase our housing capacity within the conservation breeding program and ultimately provide viable insurance populations for the species into the future."
Environmental fight
The fight for the lizard has recently been drawn into the public's focus as environmentalists express concerns the construction of a new road at Canberra Airport cuts straight through the dragon's habitat.
Earlier this year, the ACT Greens called on the federal environment minister to revoke approval for the road.
At the time, the airport agreed to suspend construction on part of its development until a decision on its impact on the habitat had been made.
The ACT Greens members attended a protest against the roadworks.
(
ABC News: Luke Stephenson
)
A federal Environment Department spokesperson said "the department is finalising its recommendations on the most appropriate course of action on this matter."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Canberra Airport said initial works that have commenced are not in the area in question.
"We remain committed to working constructively with the Environment Department and leading experts to achieve a nature-positive outcome," the spokesperson said.
Funding gives reptile 'red hot chance'
It's hoped some of the dragons bred in captivity will be released into the wild, depending on the success of the breeding programs.
"We need to be sure that we have got that diversity and that we put animals back out into the wild that have that in-built evolutionary potential," Dr Croak said.
Its expected the dragons bred in captivity will be released into the wild.
(
ABC News: Emily Anderson
)
"It will be quite a job to get it off the endangered species list but this funding gives it a red hot chance of that."
Ms Orr said the ACT government would look at restoration of the reptile's habitat in the future.
"As we have more dragons, we will need more space to release them into," she said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Business Council of Australia calls for R&D funding to hit 3pc GDP, amid productivity push
Business Council of Australia calls for R&D funding to hit 3pc GDP, amid productivity push

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Business Council of Australia calls for R&D funding to hit 3pc GDP, amid productivity push

Australia could miss out on its next great invention plus significant economic benefits, with one prominent business leader calling for an increase in research and development spending so we no longer lag behind other developed countries. Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black says the Albanese government should help boost public and private spending into research and development from 1.7 per cent of GDP to 3 per cent. As it stands, Australia is dragging behind the other OECD countries which on average invest 2.7 per cent of GDP into funding and developing innovating ideas. Australia was also significantly behind the United States and South Korea which invest 3.59 per cent and 5.21 per cent respectively. As a result, the country was missing out on the economic returns, with Mr Black pointing to analysis from the CSIRO which found that every dollar invested in R&D offered a $3 return to GDP. 'They're doing that because they see that the economic return, the dividend to their economy associated with these types of investment makes it worthwhile,' he said. More and better innovation also had the power to make 'life better' too, said Mr Black, pointing to world-leading Australian inventions such as the cochlear implant, Google Maps, pacemakers and even Wi-Fi. 'If we talk about these types of inventions – being able to hear, being able to see your child, being able to navigate your way through cities and towns with confidence – that is genuinely a reflection of how our society has changed as a consequence of good old Australian R&D,' he said. 'R&D when done right changes the way we live, every single day.' While sectors such as agriculture, health, renewables and the resources sector were areas where Australia had 'existing advantages,' he said there was also 'scope for opportunity' in more left field areas like quantum computing. Figures released by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources tip Australia's technology sector is set to contribute $244bn a year to the economy by 2031, a rapid increase from the current $167bn. Increasing Australia's quantum capabilities is set to amplify the growth of the sector. 'Who would have thought that Australia would be at the absolute forefront of global research with respect to this cutting edge technology, and yet we are,' he said. The push for a higher spend on R&D comes as Labor seeks to unite union and business leaders for a productivity roundtable which will be held at Parliament House in August. Mr Black said boosting Australian innovation was a key way to expose Australia to new market, create new jobs and develop emerging industries. In addition for a 5 per cent target on increased funding from the public and private sector, the BCA is also calling for a better tax incentives to encourage domestic and international to invest in Australian projects, plus a publicly accessible National Researcher Directory to help connect industry with research expertise. 'Ultimately what that means is that R&D is an excellent way of driving productivity (and) productivity is the main determinant for how we can deliver real wages growth across our economy,' he said. Labor is undertaking a strategic review into its R&D processes, with the government set to receive the recommendations by the end of the year. Former industry and science minister Ed Husic also acknowledged in October last year that R&D funding in Australia was at a 'sorry state,' and said the government was 'very focused on fixing up our languishing national R&D spend'.

What to know about sunscreen, SPF and protecting yourself from the sun all year round
What to know about sunscreen, SPF and protecting yourself from the sun all year round

ABC News

time8 hours ago

  • ABC News

What to know about sunscreen, SPF and protecting yourself from the sun all year round

For many Australians, the first port of call for sun safety is sunscreen. However, a new Choice report found 16 from a sample of 20 widely available sunscreen products failed to meet the SPF level on their label. But experts say there's no need to panic. Here's everything they say you need to know — from how sunscreen is tested, what to look out for when shopping and what else you can do to protect yourself from the sun. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor — how well something protects you against ultraviolet radiation (UV). The higher the number, the less UV passes through to your skin. SPF measures how much time it takes for an individual to burn while wearing a particular sunscreen. If someone normally burns after 10 minutes in the sun, an SPF of 10 should allow them to spend 100 minutes in the sun before burning, says Melanoma Institute dermatologist Dr Linda Martin. In percentages, that means the difference between an SPF50 and SPF30 might not be as much as you think. If applied correctly, an SPF50 lets through just 2 per cent of UV rays, whereas an SPF30 allows 3.3 per cent through, Dr Martin says. But Michelle Wong*, a cosmetic chemist and science communicator, says the gap in effectiveness grows, the less you apply. "So instead of just 2 per cent or 3.3 per cent of UV getting in, you will be getting either 4 per cent or 6.7 per cent," she said. Most of us only apply around a quarter of what is used in testing conditions, Dr Martin says. An SPF rating is calculated through testing on humans in an accredited laboratory. It can't be done in the sun because the conditions would be variable and dangerous. Instead, an instrument called a solar simulator that imitates sunlight is used. Researchers measure the time it takes for the skin to redden in an area where sunscreen has been applied, versus an area that has no sunscreen on it. Australia follows the international standard for sunscreen testing, which mandates testing on 10 volunteers. Many sunscreen brands sold in Australia test in labs overseas. In most cases, yes — sunscreens are very effective and the Choice results shouldn't make you lose faith, Dr Wong says. Australia has some of the strictest sunscreen regulations in the world and all are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). But the TGA says SPF results can vary between different laboratories because of the reliance on human testing. For example, Dr Wong says the redness of skin can be interpreted differently by testing staff, and results can differ depending on ethnicity and where testing is done. "Someone in Australia that's just come out of our summer is also going to have much more sun-tolerant skin than someone in, let's say, Europe," she says. Dr Wong said the best one is the one you will apply generously and regularly, and fits in with your budget. She says most of the time, an SPF30 is going to provide enough protection if you apply the right amount. The higher the SPF, the better — but remember if you only apply a quarter of the right amount of SPF50, you're essentially wearing an SPF 12.5, Dr Wong says. The TGA says SPFs in the range of 30 to 59 provide "high protection", while a SPF of 60 or higher provides "very high" protection. While SPF filters what's called UVB rays, you also need to protect from UVA radiation. UVB rays typically causes sunburn, while UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and can get through glass. So, make sure your sunscreen says something like 'UVB and UVA protection' or 'broad spectrum'. Also, if you're going to be spending a lot of time in the water (or just sweating heaps) then go for a water-resistant sunscreen. Dr Wong said there's a lot of debate about chemical versus mineral sunscreens, but at the end of the day they offer similar protection. You'll know you have a chemical sunscreen if the ingredients include things like octocrylene or aobenzone. You'll see zinc oxide or titanium oxide if it's a mineral sunscreen. She says in general, chemical sunscreens are lighter but have a higher chance of stinging your eyes, while mineral ones will have a more matte texture but may leave more white residue. Sunscreen can be applied underneath moisturisers and make-up, but Dr Wong says research shows they can be more effective when put over the top of skincare. The general recommendation is that when the UV index is forecast to reach 3 or above you should apply sunscreen as part of your daily routine. While UV radiation is generally higher in summer than winter, it's still there all year round. You might even need to wear sunscreen indoors, depending on your circumstances. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving, remember that untinted windows don't completely block UVA radiation. However, the latest advice, which you can read here and is backed by the Australasian College of Dermatologists, reflects the fact that people with darker skin tones need different sun safety advice. There's a lot we could cover here, but the most common mistakes are: You remember slip, slop, slap, right? Since that campaign was rolled out in 1981, two more have been added: seek shade and slide on sunglasses. In full, the Melanoma Institute's five rules for greater sun protection are: "Remember sunscreen is a filter. It's not a coat of armour and it's not the only step," Dr Martin says. "Skin cancer is the most common, the most expensive and the most preventable cancer in Australia." *Michelle Wong says in 2022 she did one-off sponsored posts with some of the brands tested by CHOICE.

Critically endangered Victorian grassland earless lizard habitat threatened by land sale limbo
Critically endangered Victorian grassland earless lizard habitat threatened by land sale limbo

ABC News

time17 hours ago

  • ABC News

Critically endangered Victorian grassland earless lizard habitat threatened by land sale limbo

On a sheep farm west of Melbourne two years ago, a lizard species thought extinct was discovered to be well and truly alive. State and federal environment ministers jointly announced the surprise find that Victorian grasslands earless dragons (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla) were still going half a century after their last sighting. The species survived in a remnant of once-widespread native grasses that were periodically grazed by sheep and left to go to seed in summer. But after the plaudits, the family that owns the property has faced a stressful conundrum as they try to conserve the species amid drought, dropping wool prices and rising farm costs. The farm owners — whose identities and location can't be revealed because of the threat posed by wildlife poachers — want to sell the portion of their land suitable for conservation to the Victorian government. But the state government won't buy them out despite having a program that aims to purchase land containing endangered grasslands as an offset to urban development. "There's zero incentive for farmers to protect native pastures," a spokesperson for the family said. "We feel that the financial incentive is for us to do the opposite … the problem is with climate change and the drought it's always changing how we do things. With the preservation of the lizard in mind, the family has refrained from changing grazing practices used since World War II. Reptile ecologist Peter Robertson, who is a member of the recovery team for the dragon, said any grazing management changes could be disastrous for the remaining lizards. "Farming with sheep grazing appears to be what has most likely allowed the dragon to persist on that land," he said. Mr Robertson was a co-author of a new report from the Biodiversity Council, an independent biodiversity expert group founded by 11 Australian universities, with a list of recommendations to conserve the dragon and the wider grasslands. He said the number-one priority in the report, titled "Delivering houses and saving dragons", was to secure the wild site. "It may well be that we never find this species anywhere else," Mr Robertson said. University of Melbourne wildlife ecologist Brendan Wintle, who is also a Biodiversity Council lead councillor, said the species could be lost again without action. "We're not even seeing a guarantee of its protection of its last wild population, despite the goodwill of the people who currently own the land. "The obvious action is for the Victorian government and maybe with some help from the commonwealth government to purchase and secure the only known wild population." Around 98 per cent of the grasslands have been lost since European colonisation. The Victorian government in 2010 agreed to purchase 15,000 hectares of private land containing what's left of the grasslands over a decade to create the Western Grassland Reserve. That commitment was made as part of an agreement — called the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) — with the federal government for suburban development to go ahead in other sensitive areas. But the property in which the dragons were found doesn't fall into the acquisition zone that was drawn up by the state some 13 years before the rediscovery. And despite provisions allowing changes, the MSA has not been updated to include likely lizard habitat in the new reserves. A federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson said land purchases for the reserve were the responsibility of the state government. "The department is working with the Victorian government on specific protections for the Victorian grassland earless dragon." The Victorian government would not say why it wouldn't buy the property nor update the MSA. But a spokesperson said it was working with the private landholder and other stakeholders on ways to protect the dragon rediscovery site, "as well as delivering a successful conservation breeding program for the Victorian grassland earless dragon with the commonwealth government". Melbourne Zoo successfully hatched dragon babies at the end of 2023 after 16 male and 13 females were removed from the farm. Dragon-detecting dogs have also been trained on the farm to potentially find other surviving lizards elsewhere in the state. But the Biodiversity Council's report states this isn't enough, and calls out the speed of government initiatives to help the dragon. It recommends more funding to survey potential dragon sites and to translocate zoo-bred lizards to establish at least 12 new wild populations. Professor Wintle said more resources were needed to urgently undertake translocations and remove threats such as cats. "But at the moment we're not seeing any investment in trials." The report is also critical of the effectiveness of the MSA and conservation reserve planning. New proposals for urban development around Bacchus Marsh and Geelong haven't been incorporated into the MSA, but are instead covered by separate federal environment legislation. The Biodiversity Council also reported several alleged incidents of habitat (protected by federal law) in the proposed Western Grassland Reserve being cleared illegally. And while 15,000 hectares of land was supposed to be purchased by 2020 for the reserve, so far about 4,000 hectares (or 26 per cent of properties) have been bought by the Victorian government. Professor Wintle said that should put the state in breach of its agreement, and the Biodiversity Council has called on the federal government to audit the MSA and bring it up to date. He also said the original environmental value of flagged conservation land was declining because of the lack of urgency to finalise the reserves. But a Victorian government spokesperson defended the pace of its buy-up. "We're protecting our native grassland habitats and the species that occupy them by continuing to acquire and rehabilitate land to create the Western Grasslands Reserve," they said. "This is funded by the MSA levy that is paid by developers and therefore proceeds in line with the rate of development in the area." A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson added the MSA was a "robust framework" balancing housing and threatened species. But back at the farm with the dragons, the view is government policies need to change to better balance landscape management. "There are big issues on farms in peri-urban areas," a family spokesperson said. "If you want farmers to maintain Australia's landscape, particularly the western plains, there has to be something better."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store