Recovery plan offers hope for Australia's rarest lizard, the earless dragon
Four critically endangered earless dragon species got a major recovery plan in October with 50 recommendations.
Four species of grassland earless dragons live across Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Monaro. All are critically endangered or endangered.
Only 0.5 per cent of their temperate grassland habitat remains. A 2019 study revealed four populations once thought to be one species.
Urban development, farming, and pesticide use have broken up and destroyed their homes. A new recovery plan aims to keep genetic diversity strong and expand habitat.
It calls for real-time satellite monitoring of grasslands. It includes awareness campaigns about legal protections.
It also includes support for land stewardship. Conservationists worry the plan does not go far enough to stop urban development near dragon populations.
But the Monaro earless dragon offers the most hope for recovery.
- 0.5 per cent
- Habitat remaining
- 50
- Plan recommendations
- 4
- Species identified
- around 5 grams
- Dragon weight
Why it mattersThese tiny lizards are rarely seen and nearly gone. The recovery plan is a real step to help save them. But it only works if land use decisions support it.
AustraliaSouthern Australian communities near Canberra, the ACT, and regional Victoria now have a blueprint for protecting this uniquely Australian species from their own backyards.
