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Endangered species

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Putricia the corpse flower’s pollen germinating with plant ovary-seeking tubes through a microscope.

Behind the scenes at the Botanic Garden, it’s more zoo than greenhouse

Secret doors, smoke plumes, air locks, a million species and shipwrecked treasures: this world-renowned Sydney establishment could be the most biodiverse spot in the country.

  • Angus Dalton

Latest

Feral rabbits are a damaging pest.

Why Australia’s 200m wild rabbit population could soon explode

Scientists have battled the damaging feral pest for decades with world-leading efforts, but that is set to change.

  • Mike Foley
Wattle Grove is facing rezoning from rural to urban.

Rural rebellion at plan to populate Perth’s urban fringe

Paving Perth’s paddocks is one way the state’s planning to accommodate the projected 2050 population. But will the city’s most biodiverse wetland suffer?

  • Emma Young
After 1.7 million online views and at least in person 27,000 visitors, curtains fell on Putricia’s famous livestream at midnight.

The curtains have closed on Putricia. Here’s what she looks like now

The public can no longer see Sydney’s celebrated corpse flower. But what happens next is extraordinary.

  • Angus Dalton
Putricia is now fully opened.

The night I accidentally became a corpse flower’s bedside manservant

I ran to the Royal Botanic Garden late last night – and accidentally became involved with the stinky, intimate art of Putricia’s pollination.

  • Angus Dalton
“Putricia” the corpse flower is blooming.

Sydney’s long-awaited, foul-smelling ‘corpse flower’ is finally blooming

Visitors are invited to come to smell the corpse flower’s rotten perfume during extended opening hours at the botanic garden before the flower withers and dies.

  • Frances Howe and Angus Dalton
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Ballarat Wildlife Park’s head of reptiles Jack Gatto, with his “beautiful” Priscilla.

How do you care for a tiny predator that could kill 100 men?

Elvis and Priscilla’s babies are hatching, but don’t be fooled by their size: these babies are among the deadliest creatures on the planet.

  • Bianca Hall
Chief Scientist Brett Summerell at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with the rare corpse flower set to bloom next week.

Rotting flesh, wet socks: Sydney’s most putrid flower is preparing to bloom

The “giant deformed penis”, belying the smell of death, is actually beginning a new generation.

  • Frances Howe
Shark nets could be removed permanently from Sydney beaches.

Why shark nets might not return to Sydney’s beaches next summer

The science has been clear for some time that the mesh nets do little to protect humans, yet do much harm to non-target animals. The politics is finally catching up.

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons
A Carnaby’s black cockatoo in a Perth pine tree.

Lifeline for Perth Zoo vets dealing with starving black cockatoo influx

The government has acted on the starvation crisis flooding Perth vets and rehab centres with endangered black cockatoos. But will it act on the crisis’ cause?

  • Emma Young

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/endangered-species-1my8