The wallaby has joined the list of endangered species.

Australia listed, Tuesday, October 4, 15 new species in danger of extinction.

The country has sworn to prevent the total disappearance of animal and plant species.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has announced a new ten-year plan to try to stem the extinction of 110 "priority species" and protect 20 "priority places" from further degradation.

The objective is to prevent any further extinction of plant or animal species, while preserving at least 30% of Australia's landmass.

Devastating bushfires

Among the 15 species newly classified as threatened are the small Parma wallaby - threatened by bushfires and predators - the venomous gray Queensland snake or a small wingless grasshopper called in English "grasshopper-matchstick", vulnerable face drought and frequent bush fires.

Many species unique to Australia are seeing their existence challenged as their habitats shrink due to human activities and extreme events caused by global warming, such as the 2019-2020 bushfires, according to researchers. biodiversity advocacy groups.

These devastating fires have burned 5.8 million hectares in eastern Australia and caused the death or displacement of 1 to 3 billion animals.

"The (2019-2020) bushfires in particular have had devastating consequences for many species. We are determined to give wildlife a better chance," said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek .

"A crucial step"

"Classifying species as endangered in law...is a crucial step in protecting species and people that need emergency help."

Listing a species as endangered gives it protection under Australia's Conservancy Act.

Wildlife groups have hailed the government's drive to prevent the extinction of new animal and plant species.

The goal "is ambitious but essential to empower future generations of Australians to (know) animals such as koalas, mountain mouse possums, sugar gliders and red-capped cockatoos," Basha observed. Stasak of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

“Halting the destruction of wildlife habitats is key to achieving this goal.”

Researchers have estimated the cost of tackling species extinction in Australia at $1 billion a year, according to Basha Stasak.

With AFP

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