New plan to save Aussie species after bushfires
Among this fire season’s most permanent devastation is the possible extinction of many of our most distinctly Australian wildlife. But now, a new response is offering affected animals fresh hope for survival.
Bushfire Support
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bushfire Support. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Freshwater fish, small mammals and unique plant species are at risk of extinction following the severe summer of bushfires which has now prompted a national 10-point response plan.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley this week approved the plan, to fully assess and respond to the ecological disaster across every state.
The plan’s goals include reducing the impact of future fires on species, and preventing the extinction and limiting the decline of native species.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee chair Helene Marsh told Senate Estimates on Monday she was concerned about “a lot” of animals and plants but that the full impact was not yet known.
“The 2019/2020 bushfires have not only had tragic consequences for human lives and property, but also had a devastating impact on Australia’s globally significant biological diversity and increase the risk of extinction for species and ecological communities,” Prof Marsh said.
“We are very concerned about the status of our freshwater fish because they have also been impacted by the fires, because of the ash and debris that have washed into our freshwater streams.”
The committee has been working alongside the CSIRO to come up with a list of the animals, plants and habitats worst affected by the fires.
Among them is Victoria’s critically endangered leadbeater’s possum.
Fifty million dollars has already been promised by the federal government for post-fire wildlife and habitat recovery.
An initial list of 113 species in need of urgent help after the fires was released by the
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment last month.
MORE NEWS
LAST OF MAJOR VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES UNDER CONTROL
INCREDIBLE PHOTOS FROM VICTORIA’S BUSHFIRE CRISIS
WHY AUSTRALIA’S BUSHFIRES HIT MILEY CYRUS CLOSE TO HOME
Originally published as New plan to save Aussie species after bushfires