1st March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
● Wollemi Pines thought extinct for millions of years, were rediscovered in Australia in 1994. ● Scientists are planting them in secret locations as part of a groundbreaking conservation effort.
● Wollemi Pines (Wollemia nobilis) are incredibly rare conifers. ● Their lineage dates back to the Jurassic Period, earning the nickname "dinosaur trees." ● They were believed to be extinct until a small stand was discovered in a remote Australian canyon.
● Wollemi Pines remain critically endangered with a tiny wild population. ● Disease and bushfires pose significant threats to their survival. ● Creating secret, geographically diverse populations is vital to safeguarding their future.
● Wollemi Pines are incredibly sensitive to environmental changes. ● Scientists must carefully select sites that mimic their original habitat. ● Locations are kept secret to protect them from disturbance and potential poaching.
● It could take centuries for these planted populations to become self-sustaining. ● Ongoing monitoring and protection will be crucial. ● This project exemplifies the lengths conservationists go to save scarce species.
● The Wollemi Pine's story is one of both resilience and fragility. ● This conservation effort offers a glimmer of hope that these ancient trees may survive long into the future.