The Documentary Podcast Australia's extinction crisis
Jun 15, 2025
Andrew Pass, a Professor of Genetics and Developmental Conservation Biology at the University of Melbourne, dives into Australia’s alarming extinction crisis. He discusses the dire state of native species, revealing that nearly 10% have vanished since European colonization. The conversation highlights the fusion of Indigenous knowledge with modern science for effective conservation and innovative steps like vaccinating koalas against chlamydia. Pass also explores the success of breeding programs, including for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, showcasing a hopeful path forward.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Australia's Mammal Extinction Rate
- Australia has lost roughly 10% of its native terrestrial mammal species since European colonisation in 1788.
- The number of mammal extinctions is far greater than any other continent in the same period.
Unique Extinction Patterns
- Extinctions in Australia primarily occur in remote areas with fewer people.
- Predation by introduced cats and red foxes is a major extinction driver for mid-sized species.
Old Bushman’s Wildlife Memory
- An old bushman recalled dogs chasing kangaroos and native rodents in western Victoria long ago.
- These species were once common but have since disappeared, leaving only museum specimens.