The Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel has compiled a list of 113 “high priority” animals set to receive recovery support following the bushfire season.
Among the animals identified for the most urgent management intervention were the Kangaroo Island Dunnart (pictured), the Northern Corroboree Frog, the Blue Mountains Water Skink and the Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo.
The panel’s review overlays the status of species before the fires, the area of habitat potentially impacted by fires and the species’ overall vulnerability to fire events.
In a statement, the panel said an initial $50 million wildlife and habitat recovery package was flowing to States, natural resource managers and zoos to help fund animal treatment, insurance of populations, food drops and pest animal control.
“The expert panel’s work is identifying species in most critical need of action for short-term protection and long-term recovery,” the Panel said.
“The panel’s scientific advice will help the Government’s on-ground delivery partners to target their efforts to where it is most needed.”
It said 13 birds, 19 mammals, 20 reptiles, 17 frogs, five invertebrates, 22 crayfish and 17 fish species had been identified as the highest priorities for urgent management intervention over the coming weeks and months.
“Some species were already threatened before the fires, but this new analysis also includes other mammal, bird, reptile, frog and crayfish species that were not previously considered to be under threat,” the Panel said.
“While we are not aware of any extinctions due to the bushfires, and while there have been some encouraging sightings of threatened animals in fire-affected places, it is still not safe to enter many areas to make more detailed on-ground assessments.”
