Whales were happier during the COVID pandemic when humans weren't around, scientists find
Scientists find eastern Australian humpback whales benefited from a reduction in human activity on the ocean during the first year of the pandemic, recording lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Government flags massive expansion of Antarctic marine park for 'untouched' Heard and McDonald Islands
The marine park that includes the subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands is set for a massive expansion, with the federal government planning to protect an extra 300,000 square kilometres of ocean.
Brisbane's Lone Pine wildlife sanctuary ends koala-holding experience
Plenty of high-profile figures, including Queensland Premier Steven Miles, have been snapped cuddling the sanctuary's residents, but as of this week those days are over.
Helicopters, oyster boats and barges called in to save rare raptors from extinction
Artificial nesting platforms are installed at key coastal sites across South Australia to help the eastern osprey breed after the population dropped to just 50 pairs of birds.
Artificial platforms offer safe breeding environments for endangered Eastern Osprey
Conservationists hope the new nests will lead to a successful osprey mating season along South Australia's coastline.
'Against all scientific advice': Perth council looks set to press ahead with plan for industrial park near wetland
Conservationists' efforts to protect a swathe of significant wetlands in Perth's south-east take a hit with a local council looking set to push on with plans for industrial park, despite concerns raised by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Australia's first entirely-natural burial cemetery just opened, with no gravestones, only gumtrees
Looking for an environmentally useful alternative to a traditional burial or cremation? In an Australian first, this all-natural burial cemetery might just be your idea of heaven.
Some of Australia's best-known little penguin colonies are in sharp decline, survey reveals
The number of little penguins on Kangaroo Island has dropped by more than 70 per cent since 2011, but there's hope that work to rid the island of cats will help their fortunes.
Stingrays' decline could spell trouble for delicate estuarine ecosystems, fisheries
Using drones, aerial imagery, and 3D modelling to map and identify stingray feeding pits on the estuary floor, a study has found they play a significant role in health of estuarine ecosystems.
Rock art dating back 17,000 years nominated for World Heritage tentative listing
Parts of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula are elevated to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list, but experts warn what many regard a coup, could be a double-edged sword.
Northern Rivers rainforest project aims to boost biodiversity
The Science Saving Rainforests project has collected more than 10,000 leaves from 60 plant species from Far North Queensland to southern New South Wales as it aims to increase the genetic diversity of rainforests.
Australia considers mandating recycled plastic packaging as beaches drown in rubbish
Environment groups cleaning and re-cleaning remote northern Australian beaches of rubbish are calling on the federal government to do more to stop plastic being produced.
Scientists plan to build new generation of 'super trees' to tackle climate change
More than 10,000 leaves from 60 plant species found between Far North Queensland and southern NSW are being propagated in a bid to increase the genetic diversity of rainforests.
Hervey Bay residents react to proposed 21-storey luxury resort
Plans for a 5-star luxury Sheraton resort on the Hervey Bay esplanade has caught the attention of residents, local businesses, and conservationists.
This planned luxury resort is endorsed by an Aussie celebrity, but do the residents of a relaxed, beachside city want it?
The coastal city of Hervey Bay, a three-and-a-half hour drive north of Brisbane, is known for being a popular retirement location, whose residents enjoy a slower pace of life. But that could all change if plans for a $400 million, 21-storey resort are approved.
Government approves smaller offshore wind zone off Illawarra
The federal government has given the green light to a fourth offshore wind zone, located off the Illawarra coast, with a reduced size, following community concerns.
Tassie wildlife sanctuary forms 'partnership of possibilities' with company aiming to bring thylacine back to life
Biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences says the Tasmanian tiger will return within the decade and it's laying the groundwork for the species' re-emergence.
Back from the brink, hairy-nosed wombats settle into ready-made new home
The success of conserving and breeding one of the world's most endangered animals, the northern hairy-nosed wombat, has seen the species move to a third location for the first time in decades.
This remote island was returned to Aboriginal people in a 'terrible' state. Rewilding it is proving a challenge
Indigenous land managers are hoping to repatriate ecologically and culturally significant species to lungtalanana, or Clarke Island, but feral cat predation and a lack of funding are standing in their way.
Devil ambassador program aims to raise awareness
The conservation program sends a number of Tasmanian devils to live in international zoos.
Claude the koala busted again for evading security to eat shoots and leaves
Claude the leaf thief is back for more and it seems there is no stopping this brazen koala — now stealing his booty in broad daylight and bringing his mates to munch.
The former cattle station home to dozens of rare and endangered aquatic species
Nameless snails, tiny shrimp, and fish that look like "grumpy old men" hide beneath the surface in the artesian springs on Edgbaston Reserve.
Newly protected reserve on former outback cattle station home to 37 species found nowhere else in the world
Unique species of fish, snails, and crustaceans have existed on this isolated property in Western Queensland since the dinosaur age when it was deep under water as part of the Eromanga Sea.
Hopes young citizen scientists can help preserve population of rare snubfin dolphins in the Kimberley
Scientists are hoping young people in the Kimberley with an interest in conservation can help preserve one of Australia's healthiest remaining snubfin dolphin populations.
How fossils of giant ringtail possums, marsupial lions and monster koalas could hold clues to surviving climate change
The fossils of prehistoric megafauna, which have been perfectly preserved for hundreds of thousands of years, give scientists an insight into how climate change affects species.