The Victorian grassland earless dragon was thought to be extinct for 50 years. When it was rediscovered two years ago on a sheep paddock west of Melbourne, this beautiful little grass then found itself in a very precarious position. The property owners are eager to sell a portion of their land, which is suitable for conservation efforts, to the Victorian government. Those plans have run into complications due to the siting of the farm beyond the boundaries drawn for state purchase. This has really put a kink in our implementation plans.
The Victorian grassland earless dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla), subspecies first described by early 20th century scientists. In 2019, researchers worked to get it recognized as a separate species unto itself. Conservationists hope that the recent rediscovery will help restore a community-wide fervor for conservation and preservation efforts. Since European colonization we’ve lost close to 98 percent of the original grasslands. To rein in the greedy vines of urban sprawl, the Victorian government adopted an ambitious target to acquire 15,000 hectares of remnant grasslands by 2020. So far at least, they’ve only been able to win about 4,000 hectares, or 26 percent of their goal.
Rediscovery and Its Implications
The rediscovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon has important implications for conservation strategies in the area. The species was long thought to be extinct after years of habitat destruction and urban sprawl. Its recent appearance on the sheep farm has led to calls for immediate action to protect this vulnerable population.
Professor Brendan Wintle, conservation biology expert, said it was “imperative” to protect the earless dragon. He cautioned that failing to do so would be an indictment of neglect. He discussed what made this species such an important bioindicator of ecological health within its habitat. Urban development proposals encircling Bacchus Marsh and Geelong are threatened by distinct federal environmental law. This unfortunate reality makes the need for smart, effective conservation measures more urgent than ever.
The Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) signed by the Victorian and federal governments. It commits the Victorian government to acquire 15,000 hectares of private land with remnant grasslands in Victoria’s western plains over the next ten years. As acquisition efforts still languish well behind need, the threat of additional habitat loss is a real possibility.
Challenges in Conservation
The challenges to conserving the Victorian grassland earless dragon go well beyond just buying land. The property where the dragons were found lies well outside the acquisition area determined by the state. This zone was created 13 years before their rediscovery. This shocking oversight makes it hugely more difficult to do the protective work that’s now incredibly urgent.
Reptile ecologist Peter Robertson stressed the need for sensitive grazing management on the property. He cautioned that even slight alterations would put the last lizards on earth at great risk. The increasing tension between agricultural production and wildlife preservation continues to be a debated topic among all parties engaged in policy conversations on these matters.
Additionally, recommendations from the Biodiversity Council suggest increasing funding for surveying potential dragon habitats and translocating zoo-bred lizards to establish at least 12 new wild populations. This forward-looking strategy is an important step towards minimizing the impacts associated with habitat destruction. It helps to safeguard the long-term survival of this amazing species.
Government and Stakeholder Collaboration
Luckily, the Victorian government is taking serious action to address these challenges. This is why they are currently collaborating with private landholders and other stakeholders to find the most effective means of protecting the rediscovery site. Through these ongoing discussions, they are developing a long-term, sustainable conservation strategy that balances ecological stewardship with supporting agricultural vitality.
The new collaboration highlights an emerging acknowledgment of the need for more integrated, regional land-use planning that reconciles development with environmental conservation. At the same time urban sprawl is quickly eating away at adjacent natural habitats. We need solutions that enable us to continue to build the economy and protect biodiversity.
Conservationists have reason to be hopeful. They are hopeful that with coordinated action from all stakeholders, we can save the future of the Victorian grassland earless dragon. Ongoing pressure for conservation dollars and policy changes will be key in this effort.
