A population of a critically-endangered reptile has been rediscovered in Victoria, more than 50 years after it was believed to have gone extinct in the wild.
The small grassland earless dragon was last sighted in 1969, but Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt announced today a surviving population of the species has been found in a location that will be kept under wraps.
The species was once commonly found in native grasslands west of Melbourne, but their numbers declined due to habitat loss along with predators.
“This is an amazing discovery and offers an opportunity for us to recover a species once thought lost to our state and the world,” Stitt said.
“With the help of our partners we will continue to fight the extinction of this critically endangered species – ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard.
“We will continue to work hard at protecting Victoria’s most vulnerable creatures and secure their future for generations to come.”
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Predators such as foxes and feral cats are one of the factors that drove the small lizard to the brink of extinction.
A joint investment between the federal and state government will see $188,000 go towards a new conservation project to help protect the species.
The project will trial the use of trained detection dogs to sniff out more populations of the dragon to help inform the level of conservation required.
A breeding program will also be established by Zoos Victoria.
Scientists spot ‘extremely endangered’ animal with only around a dozen left
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