Bird species on the brink, says scientist
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An ornithologist warns that more Mt Lofty Ranges bird species are at risk. (REUTERS: REUTERS Ali Jarekji)
A project is trying to head-off the extinction of more bird species in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia.
Professor David Paton from Adelaide University, who has studied the decline of bird life in the lower reaches of the River Murray, now says the Mount Lofty Ranges region is showing similar problems.
He says 10 bird species have become extinct and another 60 or so are on the brink.
"There's a real risk that you'll lose half the bird species from this region. I think that's something should no longer be tolerated by any society," he said.
"This generation of South Australians can make a difference we can try and stop those losses.
"But if we leave it too late then, just like the river collapsing, the natural systems around us will collapse."
There are plans to revegetate up to 150,000 hectares of the Ranges, which Professor Paton says will take generations to achieve.
Initial spending of $20 million will set up a testing ground at a University site, Glenthorne, at O'Halloran Hill.
