From a ‘worm’ that shoots deadly slime from its head, to a blind marsupial mole that ‘swims’ underground, let’s take a look at three leading candidates (plus 13 special mentions).
About a third of Victoria’s land-based plants, animals and ecological communities face extinction. We look at what the political parties have promised ahead of the state election.
Populations of Fleay’s barred frog in Australia’s ancient rainforests were decimated by the chytrid fungus. Now, the frogs have developed a natural resistance.
A hopping mouse from the arid desert of Australia (Notomys). Hopping mice have evolved highly efficient kidneys to deal with the low water environments of Australia’s deserts.
David Paul/Museums Victoria
Australia has more than 60 species of native rodents found nowhere else in the world. New research used museum specimens to find out how they got here.
The findings are staggering in their representation of loss and environmental degradation across Australia. While I am disappointed, I am unfortunately not surprised.
Gilbert’s potoroo, a marsupial that may be extinct in 20 years.
Dick Walker/Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group
The hardest to save will be five reptiles, four birds, four frogs, two mammals and one fish, for which there are no recent confirmed records of their continued existence.
Labor and the Greens launched environmental policies last week. We take a close look at what was promised, and if they’re enough to tackle Australia’s extinction crisis.
With temperatures plunging, rodents have started seeking the warmth and food inside our houses. Here’s how to deal with them effectively and humanely – without accidentally catching native animals.
A koala joey was found drenched and trembling near the edge of the Brisbane River. It was one of the lucky animals to be rescued from the severe floodwaters.
WWF Australia
These are poignant cries of a disappearing landscape – the creaking calls of gang-gangs, buzzing bowerbirds and the mournful cry of the far eastern curlew.
The critically endangered regent honeyeater.
Friends of Chiltern
New research finds the last 250 years has seen more than 100 million hectares of bird habitat destroyed on mainland Australia – that’s 15% of Australia’s landmass.
The only species of Australian bird which remains unphotographed. This is one of the most accurate illustrations of the species.
John Keulemans published in Gregory Mathews ‘The Birds of Australia’ 1911
This is no simple story, but one of a generational mining community on the brink of social change and an often thankless, hard-won battle for ecological recognition in the heart of coal country.
Monjon, a small, native mammal in the tropical savanna under threat from fire.
David Bettini
Northern Australia’s tropical savanna is one of the most fire-prone regions on the planet. We need to change the way we manage fires so we can help native wildlife come back from the brink.
It’s still not known exactly how female birds produce such colourful and intricately-patterned eggs. But we do have some theories about the survival advantage this provides.