WA's most endangered animals have for the first time been ranked
according to their likelihood of extinction. The list compiled
for The West Australian by the newly formed Threatened Species
Council reveals how close some animals are to being lost for
ever. The rankings look at population size and the likelihood of
survival based on threats from predators, disease and the
encroachment of urban sprawl on habitats. Frogs, turtles, birds
and mammals all feature on the list of 16 animals, with the
Gilbert's potoroo, which is found only on the south coast,
ranked as the species most likely to disappear, with fewer than
100 left in the wild. Native fish dying in lakes Classifications
from critically endangered through to vulnerable are based on
the International Union for Conservation of Nature rankings.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher established the council to
address the near-600 threatened species of flora and fauna
around WA. She said several WA agencies were conducting research
into endangered species and