Two more Australian species pushed closer to extinction

The south-eastern glossy black cockatoo and the mountain skink have been added to the growing list of Australia’s threatened species.

The mountain skink is being listed as endangered under national environmental law, while the south-eastern glossy black cockatoo is being listed as vulnerable.

They join the koala, greater glider and gang-gang cockatoo as Australian species recently categorised as under threat of extinction.

The Glossy Black-Cockatoo is the smallest black-cockatoo in Australia about 46-50 cm long. Males have brownish heads and chests, with red tail feathers. Females have yellow patches on their heads and necks, with orange-red barred tail panels.

Australian Conservation Foundation’s biodiversity policy adviser, Sophie Power notes “It’s terrible to have two more Australian species pushed closer to extinction.

“The unique biodiversity of this ancient land is under threat from a combination of land clearing, logging, invasive species and climate change.

“South-eastern glossy black cockatoos feed almost exclusively on cones from mature female casuarina trees and they need the hollows of old eucalypts for nesting – these trees were hit hard by the devastating bushfires of 2019-20.

“The mountain skink, listed today as endangered, is an essential part of the biodiversity of the mountains that straddle NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

The State of the Environment report, released last month by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, concluded that Australia’s natural environment is in poor condition and is deteriorating.

Power adds “Australia has one of the world’s highest extinction rates. Since our national environment law came into force more than 20 years ago, the list of threatened species and ecosystems has continued to grow.

“To halt Australia’s extinction crisis we need stronger national environment laws, an independent regulator to enforce them and adequate funding for the recovery of Australia’s threatened species.”

Image credit Backyard Buddies