Fears for endangered species after bushfires

Fears for endangered species after bushfires

23 March 2009

published by www.abc.net.au

Australia —

Environmentalists fear the bushfires have threatened the survival of some of Australia’s most endangered species.

An investigation by the Wilderness Society has found the intense fires burnt through the habitats of the Sooty Owl, Spotted Tree Frog, Ground Parrot and the Barred Glalaxias Fish.

Spokesman Richard Hughes says there are also fears for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum.

“It’s had a significant percentage of its habitat impacted by these fires,” he said.

“There’s going to need to be careful monitoring and management because these areas are going to be sensitive and important in terms of the species’ survival.”

Mr Hughes says we need specific rescue plans for a number of endangered species that live in areas affected by the fires.

“The implications may not be known in terms of the broader populations for some time, it may in fact be some years,” he said.