Conservation needed to protect dragons
A NEW report has found two lizard species from the Darling Downs and southwest are at risk of extinction unless there is conservation action to save them.
The Condamine earless dragon and the Roma earless dragon have been named on the list of Australia’s most imperilled snakes and lizards, recently released by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program.
The study published in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology estimated that unless there is new effort to conserve these species they each have around a one in four chance of becoming extinct by 2040.
Loss of native-grassland habitats has been a major contributor in the decline of the two species according to Museums Victoria senior curator of herpetology Dr Jane Melville, but she said they are hanging on in grassy areas.
“Stock routes and grassy verges beside roads and between paddocks are very important habitat for these two species,” Dr Melville said.
“The best ways we can help these species to survive is to make sure we leave some of these grassy areas in the landscape; not over graze, leave some areas uncropped and notill cropping methods.
“We have found the Condamine earless dragon around areas with mixed crops, but could no longer find them at sites after they were converted to very large single species laser-graded crops.
“Encouraging native grasses is also a big help.”
Lead author of the national study, Charles Darwin University Researcher Hayley Geyle, said the conservation of Australian reptiles received less attention than for birds or mammals.
“By identifying the species at most risk we aim to give governments, conservation groups and the community time to implement emergency conservation actions before it is too late,” Ms Geyle said.
The study is part of a broader project by the Australian Government’s National Environmental science Program to identify the Australian plants and animals at most risk of extinction.
Pittsworth District Landcare Association has also helped advocate for the earless dragon species.
In the past the group partnered with a confectioner to produce chocolate dragons, which helped fund further research and education on sustainable farming practices.