Decade-long plan to halt native animal extinctions to be led by conservationists

Bush Heritage Australia will lead initiative involving 50 scientists that aims to rescue dozens of species from the brink

Oliver Milman

Wednesday 8 April 2015 05.30 BSTLast modified on Wednesday 8 April 201505.33 BST

A 10-year plan to tackle the rapid extinction rate of Australian animals has been launched, with scientists from across the country collaborating on ways to deal with the biodiversity loss.

Australia is spearheading the initiative, that will involve 50 scientists from 15 universities working on 55 projects to find solutions to the alarming decline of native Australian animals.

Australia has the worst rate of mammal extinctions in the world, losing 29 species over the past 200 years, with a further 56, or one in five remaining species, at risk of being wiped out.

This crisis also extends beyond mammals, with dozens of bird, plant, fish, reptile and amphibian species listed as critically endangered by the federal government.

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Bringing bears to Scotland to be debated at Lochinver

Wildlife experts are to discuss whether large animals that were native to Scotland in the distant past could one day be reintroduced. 

Monday's debate on the pros and cons of bringing back bears, wolves and lynxes will be held in Lochinver in Sutherland to mark Earth Day. 

The event will include a visit to Inchnadamph Bone Caves where brown and polar bear remains have been found. 

Bears are thought to have died out in Scotland in the prehistoric period. 

Guest speakers at Glencanisp Lodge, will include environmental campaigner Mandy Haggith. Her new novel Bear Witness tells the story of an activist who fights for bears to roam free in Scotland. 

Also attending will be Jim Crumley, author of The Last Wolf, and Roy Dennis who has had lead roles in the reintroduction of ospreys, sea eagles and red kites. 

A representative from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is leading a trial beaver reintroduction in Argyll, is expected to join the panel. 

'Weren't comfortable' 

Alladale Estate, at Ardgay in Sutherland, had proposed releasing four wolves from Romania in a secure area as part of a reintroduction programme. 

However, in May 2010 the plan was dropped in the interests of the animals' welfare. 

Ray Mears has in the past questioned the reintroduction of wolves 

General manager Hugh Fullerton-Smith said it was still the long-term ambition of the estate to introduce wolves, but into a much larger area. 

He said the plan for the wolves was to use information on them in outreach education projects. 

Continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22220384