Drought killing wildlife: 'never dry as this'
Iskhandar Razak
Years of very low rainfall in the northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia are being blamed for the death of wildlife and hundreds of trees.
Experts say river red gums can for live for 1,000 years in dry conditions.
But Phil Barron, from Greening Australia, says hundreds of the mighty trees in the Flinders are dead or dying.
"Normally they're renowned for being very stoic. It could be a real consequence of climate change," he said.
"At the moment it looks like we're going backwards so that could have some profound ecological impacts."
Doug Sprigg, from Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the Flinders, says drought conditions are also affecting native animals.
"We are finding euros dying around water holes at the moment which is pretty good indicator that they're getting pretty stressed with lack of food," he said.
"I've been here for 34 years continuously and I've never seen it as dry as this."
One local says the northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia has not been as dry in the 34 years he has lived there.