South West Natural Resource Management calls for additional funding to save critically endangered hairy marron

South West Natural Resource Management has called for additional funding from the State Government to protect the region’s critically endangered hairy marron. The hairy marron is the South West’s most threatened fresh water animal, with only a small number left in Margaret River. The species is similar in size and appearance to the more common and well recognised smooth marron and is only distinguishable by a distinctive cover of short bristled hairs on its head. The call from the South West NRM comes after Fisheries Minister Don Punch pledged last week that a re-elected Labor government would put $3 million into creating more diverse habitats for marron in the Harvey, Logue Brook and Wellington dams. South West NRM chief executive Dr Manda Page said she encouraged more investment to protect the regions unique plants and animals—particularly those at risk of extinction. “We have 108 nationally-listed threatened species in our South West – 84 plants and 24 animals,” she said. “I applaud Fisheries Minister Don Punch’s recent pledge that a re-elected Labor Government would invest $3 million into improving habitats for smooth marron with a view to boosting numbers for recreational fishers.” “It would be great to see a similar investment in preventing extinction of the critically-endangered hairy marron which occurs only in a few fresh water locations in and near Margaret River.” Dr Page told the Times the South West NRM launched a new project last month to save the hairy marron from extinction in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Fauna surveys will be undertaken to search for the locations of hairy marron populations surrounding the known existing habitat before protective measures are implemented. “Eventually we hope that new populations can be established using hairy marron that are being bred at Perth Zoo as part of a captive breeding program,” she said. “We hope this will make some inroads into rescuing the species but additional investment will be needed for this and many other species facing extinction risk in our precious region.”