The search is on for a tiny Aussie animal unseen since the ‘90s—but is it already too late?
- Replies 4
At the Seniors Discount Club (SDC), we deeply appreciate Australia’s beautiful landscapes and unique wildlife.
Learning about the diverse creatures that call Australia home is always a joy.
However, it was quite alarming to discover the current situation facing one particular Aussie animal…
Fields and roadside areas throughout a regional Australian city are about to be thoroughly searched for Bathurst Grassland Earless Dragons, aiming to demonstrate that they haven’t vanished from existence.
Ecologist George Madani said, ‘Since the mid-90s, there have been no sightings. Time is running out.’
Mr Madani is part of the team focused on finding the rare lizard, named after the New South Wales (NSW) region where it was once commonly found.
Photos of this dragon are scarce, but one of the last known observers has provided a recent image.
The photograph depicted the diminutive lizard basking on a rock, its distinct white stripes contrasting with its dotted brown skin.
The Bathurst dragons are federally recognised as critically endangered, but concerns arise that they might already be extinct.
To shield any remaining specimens from potential threats like poachers or photographers who could harm their habitats, researchers keep the presumed locations of these dragons confidential.
‘People who have seen them previously have been very reluctant to share the sites, but we’ve now got a few of them on board,’ Mr Madani said.
Bathurst holds the distinction of being Australia’s initial inland European settlement, leading to significant development in the area.
George Park, located in the town’s heart, was one of the final sightings of these creatures, but it has now been transformed into a sports field.
Key facts about grassland earless dragons:
He collaborates with the Grassland Earless Dragons Alliance and NSW Local Land Services, aiming to raise awareness within the community about the species and secure permission to explore properties for them.
The dragons typically stay underground during colder periods, but Mr Stein and his team are gearing up for surveys in the fall, following the dragon's breeding season.
For property owners who may host these lizards, Mr Stein shared some insights.
‘While some people might have fear around people coming onto their land, if we find the dragon is present it means the land is being managed with good practices, and it probably has very good biodiversity,’ Mr Stein explained.
‘So if we find a dragon on their land, it’s a sign to the owner to keep doing what they’re doing.’
Hunters of the Bathurst dragon are invigorated after a species related to it was unexpectedly found during a property survey near Melbourne, Victoria.
The area where the dragons were discovered had been marked for housing development, and several nearby lands are also designated for similar purposes.
Nevertheless, significant funds are being channelled to protect the Victorian species.
Additionally, US-based company Colossal Biosciences is actively involved in establishing a safeguarded population for these dragons.
The search for the Bathurst species hasn’t received equivalent funding yet.
However, Mr. Madani, the lead ecologist of the Grassland Earless Dragons Alliance, remains hopeful for a potential shift in support.
‘Their situation is believed to be dire, but there are lots of unknowns because no work has ever really been done on this species. It's probably the least known reptile species on mainland Australia,’ he said.
‘We’re just a grassroots organisation with a couple of members. But with development pressures in the area, we need help, and we need financial support.’
Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!
Learning about the diverse creatures that call Australia home is always a joy.
However, it was quite alarming to discover the current situation facing one particular Aussie animal…
Fields and roadside areas throughout a regional Australian city are about to be thoroughly searched for Bathurst Grassland Earless Dragons, aiming to demonstrate that they haven’t vanished from existence.
Ecologist George Madani said, ‘Since the mid-90s, there have been no sightings. Time is running out.’
Mr Madani is part of the team focused on finding the rare lizard, named after the New South Wales (NSW) region where it was once commonly found.
Here’s a rare photo of the Bathurst grasslands earless dragon. Image source: Gavin Waters.
Photos of this dragon are scarce, but one of the last known observers has provided a recent image.
The photograph depicted the diminutive lizard basking on a rock, its distinct white stripes contrasting with its dotted brown skin.
The Bathurst dragons are federally recognised as critically endangered, but concerns arise that they might already be extinct.
To shield any remaining specimens from potential threats like poachers or photographers who could harm their habitats, researchers keep the presumed locations of these dragons confidential.
‘People who have seen them previously have been very reluctant to share the sites, but we’ve now got a few of them on board,’ Mr Madani said.
Bathurst holds the distinction of being Australia’s initial inland European settlement, leading to significant development in the area.
George Park, located in the town’s heart, was one of the final sightings of these creatures, but it has now been transformed into a sports field.
Key facts about grassland earless dragons:
- The Bathurst, Victorian, Monaro, and Canberra grassland earless dragons were mistakenly believed to be a single species.
- Each of these species is now at risk of extinction.
- Only about 1 per cent of the southeastern Australian habitat crucial for grassland earless dragons' survival remains healthy.
He collaborates with the Grassland Earless Dragons Alliance and NSW Local Land Services, aiming to raise awareness within the community about the species and secure permission to explore properties for them.
The dragons typically stay underground during colder periods, but Mr Stein and his team are gearing up for surveys in the fall, following the dragon's breeding season.
For property owners who may host these lizards, Mr Stein shared some insights.
‘While some people might have fear around people coming onto their land, if we find the dragon is present it means the land is being managed with good practices, and it probably has very good biodiversity,’ Mr Stein explained.
‘So if we find a dragon on their land, it’s a sign to the owner to keep doing what they’re doing.’
Researchers Ted Stein, Tim McGrath, George Madani, and Chad Beranek at the last known location of the dragon species. Image source: Sophie Frame
Hunters of the Bathurst dragon are invigorated after a species related to it was unexpectedly found during a property survey near Melbourne, Victoria.
The area where the dragons were discovered had been marked for housing development, and several nearby lands are also designated for similar purposes.
Nevertheless, significant funds are being channelled to protect the Victorian species.
Additionally, US-based company Colossal Biosciences is actively involved in establishing a safeguarded population for these dragons.
The search for the Bathurst species hasn’t received equivalent funding yet.
However, Mr. Madani, the lead ecologist of the Grassland Earless Dragons Alliance, remains hopeful for a potential shift in support.
‘Their situation is believed to be dire, but there are lots of unknowns because no work has ever really been done on this species. It's probably the least known reptile species on mainland Australia,’ he said.
‘We’re just a grassroots organisation with a couple of members. But with development pressures in the area, we need help, and we need financial support.’
Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
