It is the evening of 26 August 2009 on Christmas Island. The last known pipistrelle emerges from its day-time shelter. Scientists, desperate about its conservation, set up a maze of netting to try to catch it. It is a forlorn and futile exercise - even if captured, there is little future in just one bat. But the bat evades the trap easily, and continues foraging. It is not recorded again that night, and not at all the next night. The bat is never again recorded. The scientists search all nearby areas over the following nights. It has gone. There are no more bats. Its corpse is not, will never be, found. It is the silent, unobtrusive death of the last individual. It is extinction. This book is about that bat, about those scientists, about that island. But mostly it is an attempt to understand that extinction; an unusual extinction, because it was predicted, witnessed and its timing is precise. A Bat's End is a compelling forensic examination of the circumstances and players surrounding the extinction of the Christmas Island pipistrelle. A must-read for environmental scientists, policy-makers, and organisations and individuals with an interest in conservation. FEATURES: Fascinating forensic examination of the processes and players involved in the extinction of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat, including personal accounts of ecologists, administrators and politicians Considers our relationship with nature, and the extent to which we should and do care for nature Uses the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat's extinction as a case study, from which lessons can be learned that will resonate more broadly Examines Australia's environmental law and policy, and provides recommendations to strengthen these Foreword written by Tim Low, renowned Australian environmental consultant and author. "To bear witness to extinctions is painful, and made worse when hardly anyone knows they took place. By exploring one extinction from all angles, John gives Australians the opportunity to know what transpired on that island and to reflect on what it says about our nation's treatment of its wildlife. He tells a powerful and perceptive story, one that should be taken to heart by every Australian."" Tim Low, excerpt from the Foreword.

Lizards and snakes (squamate reptiles) are the most diverse vertebrate group in Australia, with approximately 1000 described species, representing about 10% of the global squamate diversity. Squamates are a vital part of the Australian ecosystem, but their conservation has been hindered by a lack of knowledge of their diversity, distribution, biology and key threats. The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017 provides the first comprehensive assessment of the conservation status of Australian squamates in 25 years. Conservation assessments are provided for 986 species of Australian lizards and snakes (including sea snakes). Over the past 25 years there has been a substantial increase in the number of species and families recognised within Australia. There has also been an increase in the range and magnitude of threatening processes with the potential to impact squamates. This has resulted in an increase in the proportion of the Australian squamate fauna that is considered Threatened. Notably over this period, the first known extinction (post-European settlement) of an Australian reptile species occurred - an indication of the increasingly urgent need for better knowledge and management of this fauna. Six key recommendations are presented to improve the conservation management and plight of Australian squamates. This Action Plan represents an essential resource for research scientists, conservation biologists, conservation managers, environmental consultants, policy makers from Commonwealth and State/Territory governments, and the herpetological community. FEATURES First assessment of the conservation status of the Australian squamate fauna in 25 years. Complete assessment of the 986 Australian squamate reptile species recognised as at 2017. Analysis of the changes in conservation status of the squamate fauna over the past 25 years. Draft conservation assessments for the species described between the 2017 workshops and the 31st August 2018. Development of six key recommendations to improve the conservation management of Australian squamates.

Australia's nature is exceptional, wonderful and important. But much has been lost, and the ongoingexistence of many species now hangs by a thread. Against a relentless tide of threats to our biodiversity,many Australians, and government and non-government agencies, have devoted themselves to thechallenge of conserving and recovering plant and animal species that now need our help to survive. Thisdedication has been rewarded with some outstanding and inspiring successes: of extinctions averted, ofpopulations increasing, of communities actively involved in recovery efforts. Recovering Australian Threatened Species showcases successful conservation stories and identifiesapproaches and implementation methods that have been most effective in recovering threatened species.These diverse accounts - dealing with threatened plants, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals- show that the conservation of threatened species is achievable: that it can be done and should be done.They collectively serve to inform, guide and inspire other conservation efforts. This is a book of hope andinspiration. It shows that with dedication, knowledge and support, we can retain and restore our marvellous natural heritage, and gift to our descendants a world that is as diverse, healthy and beautiful as that which we have inherited. FEATURES: Foreword written by Gregory Andrews, Australia's first Threatened Species Commissioner. Features inspiring Australian conservation success stories spanning a wide range of threatened species and habitats, demonstrating that recovery of threatened species is both achievable and worthwhile. Includes perspectives from expert conservation practitioners and draws lessons about what elements are important in achieving conservation successes.