australia

First Sighting of Critically Endangered Plains-Wanderer in Australia in More Than 3 Decades

First Sighting of Critically Endangered Plains-Wanderer in Australia in More Than 3 Decades

The first sighting of the critically endangered Plains-wanderer in Australia in more than three decades was detected by Zoos Victoria in two areas of remnant grassland west of Melbourne, reported The Guardian. Evolutionarily speaking, Plains-wanderers are unique. As the only member of the Pedionomidae family, there is no other bird like it on Earth. “They’re […]

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    Despite Weather Extremes, Australia’s Grey-Headed Flying Fox ‘Is Doing OK’

    Despite Weather Extremes, Australia’s Grey-Headed Flying Fox ‘Is Doing OK’

    The grey-headed and spectacled species of mainland flying fox — common in Australia, also known as “fruit bats” — have historically experienced such low numbers that they faced the possibility of extinction, reported The Conversation. But after a decade-long survey by the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP) — coordinated by CSIRO, along with state and […]

    ‘An Underwater Bushfire’: Major Coral Bleaching Event in Northern Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

    ‘An Underwater Bushfire’: Major Coral Bleaching Event in Northern Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

    In the past eight years, the Great Barrier Reef — the largest coral reef in the world, stretching 1,429 miles — has experienced five mass bleaching events, tied by scientists to climate change. Most recently, corals around six islands in Turtle Group National Park, located about 6.2 miles off Australia’s Queensland Coast, have seen extensive […]

    Thousands Evacuated as Australia Bushfire Burns Out of Control

    Thousands Evacuated as Australia Bushfire Burns Out of Control

    More than 2,000 residents of Australia’s Victoria state were under evacuation orders on Thursday due to an out of control bushfire. Residents of Beaufort, Raglan and surrounding areas were encouraged by the state emergency service to leave and head east toward Melbourne while it was safe to do so, reported Reuters. “Leaving immediately is the […]

    Pollution Threatens Endangered Sea Turtle Reproduction

    Pollution Threatens Endangered Sea Turtle Reproduction

    A new study led by researchers from Griffith University in Australia contributes to the growing research on how global warming and pollution are impacting reproduction for endangered sea turtles. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, found that pollution exposure to heavy metals, like cadmium and antimony, as well as organic contaminants […]

    The Great Barrier Reef Is Being Polluted Largely by Groundwater, Study Finds

    The Great Barrier Reef Is Being Polluted Largely by Groundwater, Study Finds

    Groundwater is carrying a significant portion of the pollutants coming into the Great Barrier Reef, a recent study has found. According to the study, previously unquantified nitrogen and phosphorus have been discharging into and impacting the reef system, and researchers have now found that groundwater is responsible for about one-third of new nitrogen and two-thirds […]