Australian animal fears as bird flu hits the Antarctic
Australia is preparing for a bird flu onslaught that could do untold harm to native species, as scientists wait to see what will happen in Antarctica.
conservation
NSW Forestry Corp sorry for destroying protected trees
The NSW Forestry Corporation has apologised for destroying 17 protected trees in a state forest, and will fund compensatory projects worth $500,000.
Pumbah rounds on parliament in defence of dingoes
Pumbah the domesticated dingo has made a special trip to Canberra as defenders of the native species work to stop them from being shot and poisoned.
Bait shortage white-ants bid to end spread of tiny pest
A shortage of baits is frustrating efforts to stop the spread of fire ants, which pose a huge threat to the Australian economy and the environment.
Tas govt lashes Plibersek over salmon industry warning
Tasmania's Liberal government has accused federal Labor of trying to kill off its salmon industry, amid a feud over how best to save an ancient species.
Sanctuary rises from the ashes of Black Summer fires
A wildlife sanctuary is bringing native species back with man-made homes but its owner fears for animals in barren bushfire zones where nothing's being done.
Time and oxygen running short for last of ancient fish
A salmon industry plan to help an endangered fish on the brink of extinction isn't fully funded yet, despite plans to start work next month.
Rare white platypus spotted, but it’s not an albino
A researcher has shared extraordinary images of a rare white platypus spotted in a NSW stream.
Company directors face nature-related risk: opinion
Conservationists hope a new legal opinion will compel corporate Australia to get a handle on how it uses and affects nature.
Experts celebrate enormous bounds in reef restoration
Experts behind a new survival kit for the Great Barrier Reef say they've achieved monumental leaps that will help coral reefs worldwide endure climate change.
Government grilled over plans for new nature laws
New laws to protect Australia's ailing environment are proving complex, and won't be available for the public to scrutinise until next year.
Small island makes big effort in caring for environment
Pristine coral reefs in East Timor are naturally buffered due to their location, but residents on a small island are also doing their bit for the environment.
Warming climate gives reef devouring starfish a leg up
Scientists have more bad news for the Great Barrier Reef - baby crown-of-thorns starfish are very good at dealing with the heat climate change is dishing out.
Senate to probe efforts to eradicate fire ants
The Senate will investigate Australia's efforts to squash invasive fire ants, amid claims a national eradication program hasn't been given the cash it needs.
‘Extinction risk’: federal backing for feral horse cull
A federal inquiry says NSW must allow the aerial culling of brumbies in the Australian Alps, saying they pose an immediate extinction risk for native species.
NSW must allow aerial culling of brumbies: inquiry
A federal inquiry says NSW must allow the aerial culling of brumbies in the Australian Alps, saying they pose an immediate extinction risk for native species.
Australia doing a poor job of protecting unique plants
Australia is doing a very poor job of working out if its unique plants are in danger of extinction, scientists warn.
Major new threat to Great Barrier Reef identified
Yet another serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef has emerged - invisible flows of groundwater that are dumping harmful nutrients into the fragile ecosystem.
Watchdog hits back at Forestry Corp over glider search
Forestry authorities say they met all necessary requirements when they held daytime searches for an endangered nocturnal glider before logging a NSW forest.
Forestry Corp looked for nocturnal glider at daytime
A harvesting ban has been extended in a NSW forest after authorities said the Forestry Corporation failed to identify den trees for an endangered glider.
Dugongs in steady decline along Great Barrier Reef
Dugong numbers are shrinking over a vast area of the Great Barrier Reef and it's been happening for almost 20 years, scientists say.
Declining dugongs add to Great Barrier Reef alarm
Dugong populations are shrinking along a vast stretch of the Great Barrier Reef and it's been happening for almost 20 years, scientists say.
Australia signs global treaty to protect the high seas
Conservationists are praising Australia's leadership after it signed a new pact to protect the parts of the global ocean that don't belong to any country.
Minister faces court over coal mines’ climate harms
A small conservation group is challenging Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in court, arguing she failed to adequately consider fossil fuel harms to nature.
Australia granted more time to address reef threats
The World Heritage Committee has confirmed it won't yet list the Great Barrier Reef as in-danger but Australia's guardianship remains under close scrutiny.
Fire ants invade Qld islands, raising fears for K’gari
There are fears fire ants could invade World Heritage-listed K'gari after 130 nests were found on another large sand island off Brisbane.
Reef used to road-test water quality forecasting system
The CSIRO is testing a new system on the Great Barrier Reef that could one day pump out water quality forecasts, much like weather reports.
Citizen scientists asked to help unpack platypus enigma
Ecologists want Australians to look for platypuses in their local rivers and creeks to help plug knowledge gaps about the declining species.
Plan to shield native species from threat posed by cats
The federal government has released a new plan that aims to stop feral and pet cats from driving more native species to extinction.
Stormwater loaded with microplastics from car tyres
Tiny toxic particles from tyres are polluting the stormwater that flows into Australian waterways, but scientists say there are simple solutions available.
Invaders top threat to Australia’s native treasures
A landmark international report has detailed the extraordinary toll invasive species are taking on ecosystem health worldwide, and Australia is no exception.