Latest news with #Bounceback
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Two endangered species once thought extinct make unlikely comeback in national park: 'Like time-traveling'
Two species have made a remarkable comeback in South Australia, according to The Guardian. Western quolls and brushtail possums were reintroduced to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park 10 years ago, and populations are now booming. Rangers and volunteers were able to identify 135 western quolls and 30 brushtail possums over the course of five nights in protected habitat. The quolls were last seen in the area in the 1880s and are only otherwise found in parts of Western Australia. The carnivorous marsupial used to inhabit 80% of the entire Australian continent, but predation by foxes and feral cats has been a major threat, according to the IUCN. Meanwhile, the brushtail possums had been considered extinct in the 1940s. Repopulation efforts were led by the government's Bounceback program, which has been protecting key habitat for these and other species. By managing certain areas of national parks, the program has provided habitat for sensitive populations to grow with additional safety measures. Biodiversity loss is already tragic in its own right, but it entails material loss for human society as well. For example, bat populations in Southeast Asia have been helpful to rice farmers by predating on destructive insects. Elsewhere, sea otters have been feeding on sea urchins, which would otherwise destroy kelp forests. Kelp forests are vital fish habitat, supporting the fishing industry. Pollinators play a massive role in propagating crops we rely on in food supply chains. Supporting healthy ecosystems and endangered animals of all kinds can provide benefits to humanity in ways that aren't always immediately apparent. Non-profit Wild Deserts has been working on a separate campaign in New South Wales. Its principal ecologist, Rebecca West, said the reintroduction of western quolls was "like time-travelling … going back to what it would have been like 200 years ago if you set up camp in the Strzelecki desert," per the The Guardian. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Forgotten marsupial makes unprecedented return home after being on the brink of disappearing: 'Extinction has now been headed off'
Lately, Australia has been making great strides in bringing back nearly extinct animals. Another impeccable example has come with the recent news that the red-tailed phascogale, a carnivorous native marsupial, has been successfully reintroduced to South Australia. For decades, these marsupials were only found in the wild southwest woodlands of Western Australia, and their population was so low that they were not able to be recorded in the wild of South Australia. As detailed by the region's government, 45 of the critters were reintroduced into the Gawler Ranges National Park in May. Since then, a whopping 30 young red-tailed phascogales have been born into the wild for the first time in years. More reintroduction efforts successfully followed in the winter of 2024. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Combined efforts of the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME) have ensured a future for the marsupials. FAME CEO Tracy McNamara said in the government's press release, "After years of determined effort, the western quoll, the brush-tailed possum and now the phascogale are thriving in those northern areas of SA and extinction has now been headed off. This program is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by committed, capable and like-minded partners." The overarching mission of the DEW's 30-year Bounceback project was to manage the threats to particular species. This meant an effort to reduce fox and cat numbers as well as managing goat numbers. A combination of habitat loss and an abundance of predators like foxes and cats led to the marsupials' near extinction. Australia's continued mission of reintroducing animals on the brink of extinction is rebalancing ecosystems, playing a role in managing food sources and creating a healthy world for all living things. McNamara noted that a shared, determined effort is the needed factor to create a better environment: "The importance of private/public partnerships in nature positive conservation and the collaboration that comes with it drives success." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
