Race to vaccinate after deadly bird flu milestone
An ambitious effort to vaccinate wild penguins against bird flu is ramping up as Australia recorded a distressing milestone in the worsening outbreak.
nature
Environment rules promise protection but raise concerns
Tougher rules to protect Australia's environment have been welcomed by developers, but conservation groups say they fall short of the changes needed.
‘Don’t wait’: hot, dry conditions raise bushfire risk
With dry spring conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures, parts of the country are facing an increased risk of spring bushfires.
Progress and poor marks: Reef earns a mixed report card
Efforts to cut pollution in waterways feeding Australia's Great Barrier Reef are making progress but still falling short of targets.
Coral returns to Great Barrier Reef but risks remain
The world's largest coral reef system is showing positive signs of recovery but experts warn severe climate challenges lay ahead.
Bird flu fears prompt ‘proactive’ poultry farms order
Preventative measures are set to be enforced on poultry farms to prevent the spread of a deadly strain of bird flu as more cases are detected.
Rare humpback birth caught in Australian drone footage
A humpback whale has been captured giving birth off the Australian coastline in what is believed to be just the fourth public film of its kind.
Bird handling ‘confusion’ as new case confirmed
A suspected bird flu case in Queensland has been cleared, but wildlife rescuers have complained of mixed messages and scarce facilities regarding sick birds.
Seabird negative for bird flu, quarantine centre grows
Fears Australia's bird flu outbreak had spread to a fourth state have been allayed after a petrel suspected of carrying a deadly strain tested negative.
Flat out: even geckos cook in warming climate
Two reptiles confined to one of the hottest parts of the country are threatened with extinction by global warming.
Going ballistic: spider spins a spring-loaded trap
A bizarre new species of spider has been discovered in the rainforests of far north Queensland that spins a unique trap to snare a single species of ant.
environmental issue
environmental politics
global warming
international organisation
mining
nature
politics (general)
In danger: more reef funding amid dreaded ruling threat
Another rescue plan for the Great Barrier Reef has been unveiled as critics warn new mining approvals are fuelling destructive marine heatwaves.
Humpback whale clocks new record after mega migration
A humpback whale has travelled a distance further than Sydney to London, in a record for longest proven migration by the species.
Snakes alive! Nature’s greatest storyteller turns 100
Nature-lovers across Australia are planning remarkable displays to celebrate renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.
‘Elvis of birds’: clue found in hunt for elusive parrot
Researchers are racing against time to find and protect a critically endangered parrot after a decade-long search led to audio of the rare bird's call.
Smelly spawning heralds new life on fragile reef
Scientists have harvested millions of coral babies in a bid to help a bleached reef regenerate after it was lashed by a destructive cyclone.
Cyclone-hammered reefs can take many years to recover
Coral reefs and their fish populations can take many years to recover after being hammered by severe tropical cyclones, researchers say.
Tiny frogs making themselves at home in concrete jungle
Tiny frogs that usually call the rainforest floor home are moving up into man-made concrete dwellings as the perfect tropical retreat, a study has found.
Wet year brings on-land nature wins but oceans suffer
Australia's environment has enjoyed another above-average year of rainfall, though climate change has been stressing oceans and vulnerable species.
Snow gum dieback raises fears for largest river system
The snow gum forests of Australia's high country are dying, and it could have profound consequences for the nation's largest river system.
Popular rat baits restricted over wildlife impacts
Conservationists are celebrating after the pesticides regulator moved to restrict rodenticides from sale due to their severe impact on native wildlife.
Owl be damned: regulator stops short of rat poison ban
Conservationists are pushing for a regulator to outlaw a common class of rodenticides having pervasive effects on owls and other native animals.
Dingo attack led to backpacker’s drowning: coroner
A young backpacker drowned after she was forced into waters by dingoes at a popular holiday destination while on a working holiday, a coroner has found.
Fossil wonderland submitted for World Heritage listing
A 58,000-hectare Australian expanse containing some of the world's oldest evidence of animal life could be included on the prestigious World Heritage list.
How mirroring nature might just save the humble oyster
Oyster reefs are already a restoration priority and Australian research could boost survival rates of the water-filtering, habitat-providing species.
Beaches set for holiday reopening after shark attacks
Popular beaches are expected to reopen in time for forecast hot weather across the long weekend after dozens were closed due to a series of shark attacks.
Man’s back and legs mauled in croc attack near creek
A man in his 20s has been airlifted to hospital following a crocodile attack in north Queensland, suffering puncture wounds to his back and legs near a creek.
Citizen scientist discovers ‘extinct’ native plant
A native plant species has been rediscovered decades after it was presumed extinct, highlighting the power of citizen science data in research and conservation.
Gardens glory as four corpses bloom in one week
Visitors to a tropical botanic gardens are being enthralled by a collection of plants that produce a rancid odour likened to rotting flesh, and worse.
Magpies paralysed as illness strikes swooper-stars
An unknown illness has left a wildlife hospital overwhelmed with injured magpies, while across the country a mysterious outbreak is killing the songbirds.
Bee-sieged island keeping deadly mite at bay
An island that is home to a unique population of honey bees hopes biosecurity measures will protect it from a deadly parasite taking hold across Australia.