Hundreds of species are now thought to be threatened with extinction because of the recent Australian bushfires which have been happening over the last few months, according to a new report published by the Australian government.
The report found that at least 49 species had 80% of their habitat destroyed during the recent Australian bushfires. Which means that these 49 species could now be in particular trouble, which could see them become extinct. These 49 species were already threatened species before the fires.
Another 65 species threatened species had half of their habitat destroyed. It could also mean that these 65 species are now vulnerable to extinction, especially if their habitat never grows back.
The report also found that 77 threatened species had 30% of their habitat destroyed. While a further 136 threatened species and four migratory species had 10% of their habitat destroyed by the fires.
In total, the report found that there were now hundreds of threatened species at risk of extinction because of the bushfires.
These are the species threatened:
. 272 plant species
. 16 mammal species
. 14 frog species
. 9 bird species
. 7 reptile species
. 4 insect species
. 4 fish species
. 1 spider species
. 4 migratory bird species
Of all of these species, this is their current known conservation status that was listed before the bushfires took place:
. 31 of these species were critically endangered
. 110 species were endangered
. 186 species were vulnerable
Now, however, the conservation status of these species could look very different once the full extent of the damage is understood.