Threats
As a vulnerable species, the Wopilkara (greater stick-nest rats) face a range of threats, like invasive species of feral cats and foxes, that have impacted their population and survival.
In early 1900, the greater stick-nest rat had become very rare. They were extinct on the mainland by the 1930’s, while the lesser stick-nest rat went extinct entirely at the same time.
Small populations of Wopilkara survived on the Franklin Islands off the South Australian coast in the Nuyts Archipelago.
Another invasive species, the rabbit, are thought to be a key factor in the decline of the Wopilkara population. Excessive rabbit plagues in the early 1900’s, and frequently occurring since, devastated the native succulent vegetation that Wopilkra rely on so heavily to survive.
Conservation efforts to protect Wopilkara involve habitat preservation, predator control, ecosystem management, and scientific research. Understanding the specific threats faced by the extremely vulnerable populations of this species and their unique ecological requirements is crucial for implementing effective conservation strategies.
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