The small grassland earless dragon was final sighted in 1969, however Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt introduced as we speak a surviving inhabitants of the species has been present in a location that can be stored beneath wraps.
The species was as soon as generally present in native grasslands west of Melbourne, however their numbers declined as a consequence of habitat loss together with predators.
“This is an amazing discovery and offers an opportunity for us to recover a species once thought lost to our state and the world,” Stitt mentioned.
“With the help of our partners we will continue to fight the extinction of this critically endangered species – ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard.
“We will proceed to work onerous at defending Victoria’s most weak creatures and safe their future for generations to come back.”
Predators such as foxes and feral cats are one of the factors that drove the small lizard to the brink of extinction.
A joint investment between the federal and state government will see $188,000 go towards a new conservation project to help protect the species.
The project will trial the use of trained detection dogs to sniff out more populations of the dragon to help inform the level of conservation required.
A breeding program will also be established by Zoos Victoria.
Scientists spot ‘extremely endangered’ animal with only around a dozen left
Source: www.9news.com.au
