Significantly, it marks the first time that a mammal has been declared extinct anywhere in the world, and the cause has been attributed to human-induced climate change.
These creatures, which used to number in the thousands, lived on the island of Bramble Cay, which measures a mere 1,115 feet (340m) across and 300 feet (150m) wide. This Torres Strait island sits just 10 feet (3 m) above sea level at its highest point, making it
exceptionally vulnerable to severe weather and rising waters.
The scientists said that the island has been inundated with water on multiple occasions, killing the Bramble Cay melomys and destroying their habitat. Birds on the island have also been affected.
The melomys hadn’t been seen since 2009, prompting the investigation. For the past two years, the researchers looked high and low on Bramble Cay for any trace of the rodent. Traps and cameras were placed around the island, and the researchers investigated every nook and cranny. No traces of the animal were found, prompting a recommendation that the status of the melomys be changed from “endangered” to “extinct.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment