Cold-blooded indifference: a case study of the worsening status of threatened reptiles from Victoria, Australia

Abstract

For the first time in the history of life, a biodiversity extinction crisis is being driven by a single species – humans. Humans also have unprecedented control over both the threats and conservation actions that influence this crisis. When prioritising conservation actions, innate human bias often favours endothermic vertebrates over other fauna. Reptiles are the least popular terrestrial vertebrate class, and consequently are particularly disadvantaged in terms of being listed as threatened and receiving conservation management. Despite 30 years of formally evaluating and listing threatened vertebrates in the Australian State of Victoria, there is a strong worsening trend in the conservation status of all faunal groups. The deteriorating status of Victorian reptiles mirrors worrying documented trends in reptile conservation status around the world. I review the history of listing threatened reptiles in Victoria, detail worsening trends in their conservation status, and suggest that, as in other parts of the world, the threats common to most listed taxa are climate change, habitat loss and degradation, and elevated rates of predation by exotic predators. I also identify poor advice and planning as a considerable threat to Victorian reptiles; this threat is rarely reported, but may be more pervasive than currently recognised. I argue that what is needed for most reptiles to have the greatest chance of persisting in the long term is prevention of habitat loss and degradation, research to underpin listing and management, improved policy so that unproven management strategies are not sanctioned, and vetting of consultant’s reports so that unproven ‘mitigation’ strategies and inadequate preimpact surveys do not mask the true cost of loss and degradation of habitat.