<
https://theconversation.com/gut-wrenching-and-infuriating-why-australia-is-the-world-leader-in-mammal-extinctions-and-what-to-do-about-it-192173>
"In fewer than 250 years, the ravages of colonisation have eroded the
evolutionary splendour forged in this continent’s relative isolation. Australia
has suffered a horrific demise of arguably the world’s most remarkable mammal
assemblage, around 87% of which is found nowhere else.
Being an Australian native mammal is perilous. Thirty-eight native mammal
species have been driven to extinction since colonisation and possibly seven
subspecies. These include:
* Yirratji (northern pig-footed bandicoot)
* Parroo (white-footed rabbit-rat)
* Kuluwarri (central hare-wallaby)
* Yallara (lesser bilby)
* Tjooyalpi (lesser stick-nest rat)
* Tjawalpa (crescent nailtail wallaby)
* Yoontoo (short-tailed hopping-mouse)
* Walilya (desert bandicoot)
* toolache wallaby
* thylacine
This makes us the world leader of mammal species extinctions in recent
centuries. But this is far from just an historical tragedy.
A further 52 mammal species are classified as either critically endangered or
endangered, such as the southern bent-wing bat, which was recently crowned the
2022 Australian Mammal of the Year. Fifty-eight mammal species are classed as
vulnerable.
Many once-abundant species, some spread over large expanses of Australia, have
greatly diminished and the distributions of their populations have become
disjointed. Such mammals include the Mala (rufous hare-wallaby), Yaminon
(northern hairy-nosed wombat), Woylie (brush-tailed bettong) and the Numbat.
This means their populations are more susceptible to being wiped out by chance
events and changes – such as fires, floods, disease, invasive predators – and
genetic issues. The ongoing existence of many species depends greatly upon
predator-free fenced sanctuaries and offshore islands.
Without substantial and rapid change, Australia’s list of extinct mammal
species is almost certain to grow. So what exactly has gone so horribly wrong?
What can and should be done to prevent further casualties and turn things
around?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
