Bat decline sees spike in Christmas Island critters
Updated
An ecosystem in a 'perilous state'... on the verge of collapse... that's the assessment of an expert panel that's been looking at the potential extinction of a species of bat on Christmas Island, off Australia's remote north-western coast. Introduced pests like centipedes, snails and killer ants are to blame. A number of local animals and plants are facing extinction as the consequences cascade through the island's ecosystem. The panel has set out a plan to deal with the island's environmental decline -- but it says in the case of some species, it may be too late.
Presenter: Shane McLeod
Speaker: Associate Professor Bob Beeton, chair of expert panel investigating bat decline; Peter Garrett, Australia's Federal Environment Minister
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