The Department of the Environment and Energy has released a list of threatened and migratory species which have lost more than 10 per cent of their habitat in the recent bushfires.
The data, published on the Department’s website, indicates there are 49 nationally-listed threatened species that have had more than 80 per cent of their habitat affected by fire, with a further 65 losing more than half of their habitat.
Threatened Species Commissioner, Sally Box said the data was indicative only and just the first step in understanding the potential impacts of the bushfires on wildlife.
“Some species are more vulnerable to fire than others and some areas were more severely burnt than others, so further analysis will be needed before we can fully assess the impact of the fires on the ground,” Dr Box said.
“Department scientists and officials are working with states and territories, scientific experts and the new Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel to improve the mapping and determine the likely response of species to fire,” she said.
“This will help to refine the list of plants and animals of greatest concern.”
She said the Department had already seen some positive examples of threatened species having survived the fires.
“We know that the Wollemi Pine occurs within the extent of the bushfires, but we have heard the wonderful news that firefighters and park managers were able to save these dinosaur trees,” she said.
Dr Box said the Department’s early analysis and the work to follow would help guide priority actions under the Wildlife and Habitat Recovery Package.
A full list of endangered wildlife impacted by the bushfires can be downloaded from the Department website at this PS News link.
