Dr. Chantelle Doyle, a research associate at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), leads this charge on a new and vital front. She’s taking on the legal limbo that surrounds rediscovered species in Australia. Her most recent research brings to light the story of Gould’s mouse, a species believed to be extinct for over 100 years. The mouse is now listed as extinct on the national threatened species list. A series of recent genomic studies point to connections with the Djoongari, a near relative that remains prosperous in Shark Bay.
In response, Dr. Doyle and her co-authors, Frank Hemmings and David Eldridge, urge two primary actions. These actions are intended to help state and federal governments to close this legal gap. The urgency stems from the potential risks that delays in species listings pose to their survival and protection from development pressures.
The Case of Gould’s Mouse
Gould’s mouse, or Pseudomys gouldii, was officially extinct more than a century ago. Thanks to new evidence, it’s looking like it may not be lost after all. A genetic analysis done four years ago found that Gould’s mouse is, in fact, the Djoongari. This species only inhabits islands of Shark Bay, WA, and one continental reserve on the mainland. The conservation status of the Djoongari is currently listed as vulnerable under national conservation legislation.
Even after its rediscovery, Gould’s mouse is still legally considered extinct. This difference fuels worries over its endangered status and ability to garner needed funds for preservation. According to Dr. Doyle, “You would assume that when something’s extinct, if it’s rediscovered it automatically gets listed as threatened so it can get resources for protection or research.”
Dr. Doyle argues that the existing legal protections are inadequate for these species once they are found. “But actually it doesn’t get anything … species that are extinct actually are like a non-entity,” she remarked. Without this immediate action to refresh their national status, these species are at risk of being forgotten in today’s push for development and expanding land clearing efforts.
Impact of Delays on Other Species
The consequences of delayed listings go far past Gould’s mouse. This saltbush, once thought to be extinct in New South Wales, was recently rediscovered by the researchers. Even with this exciting discovery, authorities continue to consider it extinct. Dr. Doyle and her colleagues are preparing a submission to the NSW government advocating for a re-evaluation of its status.
Dr. Doyle warns that if not given adequate legal protection, these newly rediscovered species could be at risk from land development. “So if there’s a threatened species [in that area] or an endangered species there and it is not listed as protected, [the land] could be just cleared or developed with nobody checking,” she explained. The absence of these protections would result in permanent harm to critical habitats where these species live.
The Esperance dog weed, Opercularia acolytantha, is another great example. Though it was removed from Western Australia’s extinction list in 2017, it continues to be on the national list. In 2019 Hymenophyllum whitei, a type of fern, was re-removed from Queensland’s extinction list. Yet it is now listed as being in a status of critically endangered.
Legislative Recommendations for Protection
We’re glad Dr. Doyle and her team have come out with two key recommendations. These recommendations, informed by the Center’s research, would improve the way legally-protected rediscovered species are treated under the law. To fix this, first they call for species that are automatically re-listed as threatened, upon rediscovery, so that protective measures are taken without delay. This legislative approach is already being used in Western Australia, allowing rediscovered species to be automatically re-listed under conservation legislation as soon as they are found.
They’re pushing for a more streamlined process between state and federal governments. This will allow for faster reaffirmation of species listings across various jurisdictions. This amendment would save costly delays that threaten the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and their habitats.
The value of these recommendations shouldn’t be underestimated, especially as development pressures persistently increase nationwide throughout Australia. As Dr. Doyle noted, “It seems like it occurs actually fairly commonly when it does occur in NSW and then it’s kind of gone from an area for who knows how long.”
The researchers hope to elicit some changes in policy by making these problems more visible. They hope to save not only Gould’s mouse, but other recently rediscovered species that are battling the same fate.
