Hunter Valley legless lizard confirmed as new species

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A legless lizard found in the Hunter Valley has been identified as a brand new species. 

The Hunter Valley Delma, discovered in 2012, was originally believed to be a new population of the Striped Delma. 

But scientists at the Australian Museum, noticing the species had barred lips and wasn't as strongly striped, conducted genetic testing and confirmed the local lizard was a new species.

It's the first species of legless lizard endemic to New South Wales, but it's believed it could have evaded researchers for so long because it usually lives in burrows and under grass tussocks, and avoids contact with humans.

Scientists say the species is likely to be threatened, due to development, mining, and agriculture across the Hunter Valley.

Image credit: Australian Museum.

First Baby Quolls Born in the Barrington Tops in 60 Years

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The birth of 13 Eastern quoll joeys in the Barrington Tops - the first born in the region in 60 years - has given wildlife restoration efforts new hope in bringing the endangered species back from the brink.

A population of 28 quolls was initially reintroduced to the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary by Aussie Ark in 2020.

The nocturnal marsupials went extinct in the wild across Australia in 1963 because of invasive predators such as foxes and feral cats.

More than 100 joeys have been born as part of Aussie Ark's breeding program across the country.

Aussie Ark Ranger Max Jackson says the quolls are thriving in the wild and have even been spotting sunbaking.

“The birth of these lucky 13 joeys, proves that the Eastern quolls are healthy enough to raise young in the wild, without any intervention from us, which is our ultimate goal," Mr Jackson said.

"Hopefully, this is the beginning of a robust and thriving population of Eastern quolls in the Barrington Tops.”