Sad but hardly surprising - most koalas relocated died rather than thrived in their new home. Translocation failures seem to be the norm rather than the exception in conservation biology. As is sharing the outcomes of failed relocations/reintroductions. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I can't attend #ESA2025 in Baltimore this year unfortunately, but making baskets of kittens available for weary attendees would be a major drawcard. Innovative stuff from @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social! Something for @ecolsocaus.bsky.social to aspire to? 😀😺

"I think that the word is being misused. Extinction's forever. It's irreversible...I think it's a really dangerous precedent to claim we can fix some of these irreversible problems," @dieterhochuli.bsky.social says on the podcast. The U. of Sydney ecologist unpacks what's wrong with 'de-extinction'

Claims of ‘bringing back’ any species take away focus from proven solutions that can actually fix the extinction crisis.

In light of last night‘s Australian budget, it’s fitting these two pins sit side by side. Spending on a captive breeding program for an endangered species instead of addressing the processes threatening it is peak greenwashing. And ecologically illiterate.

Well this seems quite ominous. I’ve returned from a field trip to the Top End to find the quadrangle building in my USyd flame tree/jacaranda snow dome listing quite precariously.

Happy 216th birthday to Charles Darwin from the 2025 Usyd Tropical Wildlife Biology crew! Nice way to start the final day of our Top End field trip.

Joining in on the #SuperBowl  festivities, we saw this marvellous boobook at Mary River last night on our tropical wildlife biology course.

One mug to rule them all. Terrific conference swag from the massive #ESAus2024 conference in Melbourne last week featuring some of Victoria’s threatened and iconic species. Thanks to the local organising committee for their efforts creating such a great week for Australia’s ecological community.

Intrigued and challenged by the issues being raised at the #ESAus2024 session on reimagining ecology education using AI. Thought I’d see how AI went summarising the online program. A couple of surprises to me, but I think it captures much of the bigger picture vibe.

#EcologicalFashion #ESAus2024

which Conference animal are you ? Judging from the conversations I’ve had at #ESAUS2024 I’m pretty sure we have a massive community of spinifex hopping mice. Coffee consumption has been exceptional this week.

Last day of #ESAus2024 talks! My #EcologicalFashion is a bit more subtle today, but it's a nice throw to a project with @dieterhochuli.bsky.social (and heaps of others) where we run nature workshops in Western Sydney with the goal of getting young people out in nature

Four different species here - I had five but the Black Prince flew away. None of these #cicadas are restrained by the way, cicadas are just genuinely this chill. Green Grocer, Red Eye, Floury Baker and Razor Grinder. #bugsky #inverts #wildoz #auswildlife

One of the more sombre rooms I’ve been to at a museum. The thylacine room at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Being carefully watched from outside my office while I reflect on these rather turbulent times. If these guys can’t brighten you, don’t no one can.

Well this is a blue sky. With trees with red and purple flowers in front of it. Nice day on the Sydney Uni campus.

In defense of NATURAL HISTORY, a discipline in danger "We are all interested in understanding the natural world, but we often fall into the habit of abstracting our research away from its natural contexts & complexities" @KNanglu 🧪🌍 #evolution biodiversity onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Nice way to start the day! Mantid egg mass on a little bit of kerbside guerilla gardening in my street.