Latest news with #NSWDepartmentofEnvironment
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Remarkable find in shadow of Australia's tallest mountain
A record-breaking population of some of the world's smallest and rarest marsupials was discovered in a rugged national park. Walking across the boulder fields of the Snow Ridge Hill site in search of possums during the recent expedition was hard going. Source: Justine Hauser An expedition across some of Australia's most rugged boulder fields has resulted in a remarkable discovery. Under the shadow of the nation's tallest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, researchers have documented a record number of some of the world's smallest and rarest marsupials. Mountain pygmy possums are thought to have dropped from 1,000 to 700 as a result of two crippling blows that affected the species' habitat and main food source. The first was the scorching of their stronghold in the Kosciuszko National Park during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, and the second was the sudden demise of the once-plentiful bogong moth. So when an expedition led by veteran scientist Dr Linda Broome discovered 107 possums at a single site, she was left feeling elated. 'It is heartening to see mountain pygmy-possum numbers thriving again,' she said. Pictures supplied to Yahoo News from the most recent survey, and the 2023 expedition, highlight the fragile environment, up in the clouds where the possums live. Weighing between 30 and 40 grams, and smaller than two human fingers, to the untrained eye, they are easy to miss. Pictures from the 2023 expedition highlight the rough conditions researchers encountered during the possum population surveys. Source: Justine Hauser The tiny possums are difficult for the untrained eye to spot. Source: Alex Pike Broome is approaching the end of her career after dedicating almost half her working life to studying mountain pygmy possums. While the discovery is great news for the species, it comes with a warning that the fight to save them is "far from over". ADVERTISEMENT "We will continue our work to support these possums and strengthen their population, ensuring these iconic marsupials have the best chance of long-term survival," she said. What's helped populations of mountain pygmy possums grow? Broome is a threatened species officer with the NSW Department of Environment. Her pygmy possum count was completed with support from national parks staff and volunteers. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe welcomed news of the recent count. 'It's wonderful to see the population of mountain pygmy possums showing signs of recovery thanks to important conservation work,' she said. ADVERTISEMENT Supplying the possums with a hand-baked alternative food called 'bogong bickies' is believed to be a key reason for the healthy population. The project was developed by Saving Our Species, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and local kids from Berridale Public School, Cooma Public School, Adaminaby Public School and Jindabyne Central School. Remarkably, the combined population at its two main habitats is now estimated to be 940. But as the weather cools, a new man-made problem threatens to hamper the species' recovery at another site. Fresh warnings have been issued for snowboarders to stay out of a closed habitat at Blue Cow, where numbers are still low. Snowboarders are being urged to stay away from fields where possum populations are still recovering. Source: Dr Broome Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hunt for Aussie animal not seen for 30 years: 'Rarest in the world'
The hunt is on for a rare lizard not seen in over 30 years. Found only in one part of regional Australia, residents are being asked to scour paddocks and roadsides for the specific conditions the Bathurst grassland earless dragon needs to survive. 'It hasn't been seen since the mid-90s, and it could be holding on in someone's back paddock without anyone knowing,' ecologist George Madani explained to Yahoo News. 'This species is perhaps one of the rarest reptiles, not just in Australia — but the world. It's on the cusp of extinction and if it's going to persist, we need to be able to find it so we can protect it.' Of the four species of grassland earless dragon three are listed as critically endangered, and one is endangered. Madani heads up the Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance, a listed charity that advocates for their protection. It had been thought the Victorian species was extinct as it hadn't been seen since the 1960s, but then in 2023, authorities confirmed with Yahoo News it had been rediscovered at a single site west of Melbourne. While it's possible the Bathurst species could be extinct, the rediscovery of the Victorian species renewed hope the Bathurst species might persist. Related: Rare Aussie animal you can only see at one zoo Working with the NSW Department of Environment's Saving our Species (SoS) program and the Central Tablelands Local Land Services, the Grassland Earless Dragon Alliance has put together an online questionnaire that contains five simple questions designed to ascertain whether dragons are living on properties. It's not just Bathurst itself that could harbour the species, but also the surrounding local government areas of Blayney and Oberon. Less than 1 per cent of the southeastern Australian habitat the four species need for survival remains in good condition. So finding sites that could harbour the Bathurst species won't be an easy task. 'We're looking for natural temperate grassland and we're looking for habitat that hasn't been modified, so areas that haven't been ploughed or subject to lots of fertilising,' Madani explained. 'If there's any sort of small surface rock scattered through the paddocks, that's also good, because the dragons will use them. And these dragons co-occur with wolf spiders, which they rely on, because they utilise their burrows for shelter.' Related: Fears for future of tiny lizard stalling construction of 310,000 new homes While over-grazed land isn't ideal, paddocks with a few sheep in them are perfect. That's because they are able to keep the grass level low without denuding it completely. 'What we want landowners to know is if dragons have persisted on their property for that long, then clearly what they're doing is right. And we don't want them to change any of their practices,' Madani added. 'We want them to continue business as usual, and we might be able to learn from them.' Landholders who discover dragons on their properties could be able to access extra government funding to undertake weed control and fencing. If you think your land could be home to the rare Bathurst species, you can fill out the questionnaire here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
