The disappearing mammal fauna of northern Australia: context, cause, and response

A rapid and severe decline in native mammal fauna has been observed in Kakadu National Park, Northern Australia, with potential implications for global biodiversity. This decline may be more pronounced than previously reported in the region but is consistent with earlier extinction patterns. The study identifies four key factors—habitat change, predation by feral cats, poisoning from cane toads, and novel diseases—as possible drivers of this decline, though no single factor alone explains the observed trends. The findings underscore the insufficiency of conservation reserves in maintaining biodiversity without intensive management, regular audits, and targeted interventions.

Woinarski, J. C. Z., Legge, S., Fitzsimons, J. A., Traill, B. J., Burbidge, A. A., Fisher, A., Firth, R. S. C., Gordon, I. J., Griffiths, A. D., Johnson, C. N., McKenzie, N. L., Palmer, C., Radford, I., Rankmore, B., Ritchie, E. G., Ward, S., & Ziembicki, M. (2011). The disappearing mammal fauna of northern Australia: context, cause, and response. Conservation Letters, 4(3), 192–201. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263x.2011.00164.x