Experts call for global policy on moving species at risk from climate change

A type of small rodent, melomys lived at the very tip of Queensland and in many islands in the Torres Strait.

Despite warnings from conservationists, the species was declared officially extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2015, and by the Australian government in 2019.

The effects of climate change were believed to be the major contributing factor to the species’ disappearance, with rising temperatures and rising water levels affecting much of their natural habitat.

“That species could and should have been moved, but it wasn’t because there was no policy in place to guide how that would happen, and now they’re all gone,” Professor Watson said.

“So we’re saying now is the time to get that policy in…