Why safe havens protect Australian mammals but fail other endangered species
Fenced safe havens protect mammals like bilbies and bettongs. They fail to protect frogs, reptiles, fish, birds, and other small animals.
Australia uses safe havens to protect wildlife. These are islands or large fenced areas where cats and foxes are removed.
Bilbies and brush-tailed bettongs now thrive in them. But new research shows these havens don't protect frogs, reptiles, fish, birds, and small animals.
That's because they were built for mammals. They don't keep out black rats or stop deadly fungal infections that harm other species.
Researchers have found the best places in eastern Australia to build new safe havens for these other animals.
Why it mattersAustralia's protected areas only save mammals right now. We need to expand them to save frogs, fish, insects, and other animals before they go extinct.
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