(Sydney) Australia on Tuesday listed 15 new endangered species, including a small wallaby, vowing to prevent the total disappearance of animal and plant species.
Posted at 12:52 a.m.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has announced a new 10-year plan to try to stem the extinction of 110 “priority species” and protect 20 “priority places” from further degradation.
The aim is to prevent any further extinction of plant or animal species while preserving at least 30% of Australia’s landmass.
Among the 15 species newly classified as threatened are the small Parma wallaby – threatened by bushfires and predators – the venomous gray Queensland snake, or even a small wingless grasshopper called in English “grasshopper-match”, vulnerable in the face of drought and frequent bush fires.
Many species unique to Australia are seeing their existence called into question as their habitats shrink due to human activities and extreme events, such as the 2019-2020 bushfires, according to conservation groups. biodiversity.
These devastating fires have burned 5.8 million hectares in eastern Australia and caused the death or displacement of 1 to 3 billion animals.
“The bushfires (of 2019-2020), in particular, have had devastating consequences for many species. We are determined to give wildlife a better chance,” said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
“Classify species as threatened in the law […] is a crucial step to protect species and inhabitants that need emergency help. »
Listing a species as endangered gives it protection under Australia’s Conservancy Act.
Wildlife groups have hailed the government’s drive to prevent the extinction of new animal and plant species.
The goal “is ambitious, but essential to empower future generations of Australians to (experience) animals such as koalas, mountain mouse possums, sugar gliders and red-capped cockatoos”, observed Basha Stasak of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
“Halting the destruction of wildlife habitats is key to achieving this goal. »
Researchers have estimated the cost of tackling species extinction in Australia at $1 billion a year, according to Basha Stasak.