Australia to lose 45 species in 20 years

AAP Herald Sun 23 Mar 11;

UP to 45 native species in Western Australia's Kimberley region will die out within 20 years if no action is taken, a CSIRO-led study says.

It's called for an immediate cash injection of $95 million to save creatures like the Golden Bandicoot, the Scaly-Tailed Possum and the Monjon Rock Wallaby from extinction.

The study, released today, was commissioned by the Wilderness Society, which has gone on to urge all tiers of government to open their wallets.

At the moment, just $20 million a year is spent on conservation efforts in the Kimberley, which is home to an assortment of threatened species.

But the report said even if that money was spent properly, the region would still lose some 31 native animals.

The numbers of many more birds, reptiles and mammals, such as the Spotted Tree Monitor and the Western Chestnut Mouse, would dwindle.

The report said containing feral cats was the best cost-effective measure to prevent species decline, which would be a three-pronged attack, including education, research and an end to dingo baiting.

But it conceded the "feasibility of success" was low.

Next best would be to effectively manage the threats of fire and foreign herbivores, which would see improvements for almost all wildlife species.

"This report is like a business plan for nature," one of the report's six co-authors Hugh Possingham said. "Our analysis shows the best bang for the buck and identifies not just the best things to do but what we can't afford not to do."

About $40 million would be needed annually in the Kimberley to protect its species, as well as boost plant life, help the climate and conserve indigenous land.

"This investment is great value," Prof Possingham said. "We can save some of Australia's most iconic mammals and birds at a cost of only about $1 million per species per year."

The Priority Threat Management to Protect Kimberley Wildlife report relied heavily on expert feedback because of a lack of available data on certain species and costs.

It recommended getting other social, economic and cultural perspectives to round out a more comprehensive action plan.