Latest news with #SavingourSpecies
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man 'hit the jackpot' with rare find in Aussie bush after 86 years
A native plant thought to be extinct for over 86 years has been rediscovered, and the Aussie scientists who stumbled upon it during a rare bloom admit they were "super lucky" to be in the right place at the right time. The "elusive bush-pea" had long lived up to its name until Robert T Miller, an experienced botanist, was out on field work recently with colleagues west of Wollongong in New South Wales. They were searching through the "swampy habitat" in the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area as part of the state government's Saving our Species (SoS) program when he spotted a flower in bloom. "That one plant being in flower caught Rob's eye," Simon Lee from SOS told Yahoo News. "It was super lucky. We went back a couple of weeks later to collect a bunch of seed and the plant was no longer in flower, so it was pretty hard to find." Robert sensed he had "hit the jackpot" when he made the discovery, and when the plant was confirmed as the elusive bush-pea, the scientists were "jumping in joy" as the first and last time it was recorded was back in 1938. Since the rediscovery in October, 222 of the plants have been located and 790 seeds collected in the area — situated less than 50 kilometres from where the first ever discovery was made. "We're obviously very excited... it just shows the significance of conservation programs and the efforts across the country that lead to these really remarkable discoveries," Simon said. "I was really grateful to be out there with Rob at the time and it shows the importance of these areas, and what they can hold." Incredible discovery centimetres from train tracks leaves Aussie stunned Air crew makes exciting 'once-in-a-lifetime' discovery in outback Council workers make incredible discovery on roadside The elusive bush-pea (scientific name pultenaea elusa) is a small plant with branches up to 50 centimetres long, and it is easily overlooked among the grass swamp-like habitat where it grows. There are now extensive efforts into re-establishing the "rare" plant which is currently listed as critically endangered in the state. A Project Officer from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, Alison Foster, said authorities are "committed to zero extinctions of plants and animals" and conservation programs like the SoS helps them meet this target. "Being able to quickly respond to this find with more field surveys enabled us to collect seed to help secure the future of this elusive plant," Foster said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Critically Endangered Turtle Gets A Leg Up!
Press Release – Symbio Wildlife Park World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard, said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. As World Turtle Day approaches on May 23, Symbio Wildlife Park is celebrating the incredible strides being made in the conservation of one of Australia's most endangered reptiles – the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Once on the brink of extinction following a devastating outbreak of the Bellinger River Virus (BRV) in 2015 that wiped out up to 90% of the wild population in just six weeks, the future of this unique freshwater turtle looked grim. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between government, zoos, conservationists, and local communities, there is now renewed hope for this species in the wild. Joining the NSW Government's Saving our Species (SOS) emergency response in 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park became one of only two institutions in Australia entrusted with a captive breeding programme for this critically endangered species. Since then, Symbio has built a dedicated quarantine and breeding facility and currently houses 26 turtles, 7 of which were born into the program. These turtles are key to creating a genetically diverse insurance population. 'World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard,' said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. 'The survival of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is a team effort, and we're incredibly proud to be part of it.' Together with partners including NSW Government's Saving our Species program and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio is contributing to a national recovery plan backed by the Australian Government's Threatened Species Action Plan, which has invested over $850,000 into protecting this species. To date, over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles have been released into the wild under the SOS program, with ongoing monitoring providing essential data on their health, survival, and adaptation to their natural habitat. Each year, Symbio's expert conservation team joins in field surveys along the Bellinger River, working alongside ecologists, veterinarians, and landholders to support both the species and the river ecosystem. Celebrating days like World Turtle Day is vital because it reminds us of the urgent need to protect our planet's most vulnerable species. It's an opportunity to raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action for wildlife conservation. By highlighting the challenges and successes of species like the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, we not only educate and engage the public but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world!
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Critically Endangered Turtle Gets A Leg Up!
As World Turtle Day approaches on May 23, Symbio Wildlife Park is celebrating the incredible strides being made in the conservation of one of Australia's most endangered reptiles – the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Once on the brink of extinction following a devastating outbreak of the Bellinger River Virus (BRV) in 2015 that wiped out up to 90% of the wild population in just six weeks, the future of this unique freshwater turtle looked grim. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between government, zoos, conservationists, and local communities, there is now renewed hope for this species in the wild. Joining the NSW Government's Saving our Species (SOS) emergency response in 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park became one of only two institutions in Australia entrusted with a captive breeding programme for this critically endangered species. Since then, Symbio has built a dedicated quarantine and breeding facility and currently houses 26 turtles, 7 of which were born into the program. These turtles are key to creating a genetically diverse insurance population. 'World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard,' said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. 'The survival of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is a team effort, and we're incredibly proud to be part of it.' Together with partners including NSW Government's Saving our Species program and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio is contributing to a national recovery plan backed by the Australian Government's Threatened Species Action Plan, which has invested over $850,000 into protecting this species. To date, over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles have been released into the wild under the SOS program, with ongoing monitoring providing essential data on their health, survival, and adaptation to their natural habitat. Each year, Symbio's expert conservation team joins in field surveys along the Bellinger River, working alongside ecologists, veterinarians, and landholders to support both the species and the river ecosystem. Celebrating days like World Turtle Day is vital because it reminds us of the urgent need to protect our planet's most vulnerable species. It's an opportunity to raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action for wildlife conservation. By highlighting the challenges and successes of species like the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, we not only educate and engage the public but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world!
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists turn to unlikely helpers in quest for plant that's almost impossible to find: 'Demonstrates the potential to replicate this method'
Conservationists faced a daunting challenge in the dense undergrowth of Australia's central coast — locating the elusive Wyong sun orchid (Thelymitra adorata). However, they enlisted the help of three dogs to make a breakthrough. The Wyong sun orchid typically blooms from September to November, with the flowers opening on warm, sunny days. This short blooming window makes finding the orchids difficult, but not impossible, thanks to the efforts of the Central Coast Council and the New South Wales government's Saving our Species program. In collaboration with On The Scent and The Good Dog, they successfully trained three talented spaniels named Paddy, Sully, and Vera to detect orchid tubers without relying on visible plants or floral scents. Conservationists have used scent-detection dogs in other efforts. Yet, this was the first time they've trained them to locate the critically endangered Wyong sun orchid. Unlike other plants that are easy to spot above ground, this particular species spends most of its life dormant beneath the soil. With their keen sense of smell, the trio helped the council monitor the rare orchid population and locate new orchid habitats in a minimally invasive way. Not only that, but they opened up a way for detecting other species in the future. Senior regional biodiversity conservation officer for the Saving our Species program Paul Hillier stated, "If successful, this method may enable a year-round survey window, give greater certainty of survey results, and assist in planning conservation actions, such as targeting areas for controlled burns." Though easy to overlook, the Wyong sun orchid plays a vital role in its ecosystem. Like other orchids, it has a specialized relationship with local fungi and pollinators. If a species like this orchid disappears, it could trigger a ripple effect by weakening the entire system's stability. Protecting endangered species isn't just about saving something beautiful — it's about maintaining the balance of nature itself. Dogs like Paddy, Sully, and Vera are like ecological detectives on a mission, sniffing out plants humans would otherwise miss. With their help, conservation teams have located orchid populations without disrupting delicate habitats. Their work is now transforming how experts approach species location and protection, allowing year-round monitoring that was once limited to a very short time period. The goal now is to expand this method to other elusive species, proving that a sharp canine nose may be just as powerful — if not more charming — than high-tech tools. 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. Detection dogs like Paddy, Sully, and Vera could revolutionize how conservationists monitor threatened species. "The project not only enhances Council's ability to manage and protect threatened orchid habitats but also demonstrates the potential to replicate this method for other cryptic species in the future," said Paul Hillier. 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
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.
