Rare wildlife find homes on northern isles

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Islands off the Kimberley coast have emerged as a biodiversity hotspot with the first comprehensive survey of the area turning up a host of previously unrecorded species. A team of researchers led by the Department of Environment and Conservation has been studying plants and animals on the 19 biggest Kimberley islands to help guide future conservation and sustainable development decisions.

Acting senior research scientist Lesley Gibson has warned that the islands are facing pressure from human-related activities such as tourism, fishing, mining, oil and gas exploration as well as the possible arrival of the cane toad.

Early results, published this month in State planning publication Coastlines, showed many vertebrates had been recorded for the first time on any of the islands while several species of snakes and frogs had been added to individual island lists. Among those considered new to the islands are the red-cheeked dunnart, western chestnut mouse and agile wallaby, with the latter never before recorded on a WA island.

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