South-eastern glossy black-cockatoo, mountain skink added to federal threatened species list
Today, the south-eastern glossy black-cockatoo has been listed as ‘vulnerable’, and the mountain skink listed as ‘endangered’ under federal environmental law.
When making the announcement, Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said listing a species as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) means conservation efforts can be provided with additional support and funding.
“The damage caused by the Black Summer bushfires is still being felt today and can be seen reflected in these listings today,” said Ms Plibersek.
“The fires had an immense impact on our environment, from a small reptile found in the mountains to a bird that is at home on the coast – there is still a lot of work to do.
“The Australian Government has committed to establishing the Saving Native Species Program that will boost protection for many threatened species like these, combat invasive species, and strengthen conservation planning required under national environmental law.
“These listings will ensure the prioritisation of recovery actions to protect both species and offer conservation guidance on a national scale.”
The south-eastern glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) is found in isolated patches of rocky habitat in the mountains and subalpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Current conservation projects include on-ground actions such as citizen science surveys and coordinating cross-jurisdictional monitoring, nest box installation and revegetation and protection of the black she‑oak, which is their main source of food and habitat.
The mountain skink (Liopholis montana) lives in subalpine areas stretching from the Bimberi Range in the ACT, through the Snowy Mountains in NSW and into Victoria.
The bushfires burnt approximately 32 per cent of the skink’s known and likely distribution.
The federal government has invested $800,000 in supporting the recovery and conservation of alpine reptiles, including the mountain skink.
