Catalyst: Aug 3

Tonight on Catalyst Dr Ann Jones explores the fascinating new technology helping to safeguard our species.

Nature journalist, Dr Ann Jones knows firsthand that Australia is one very lucky country.

Our vast, dramatic, and diverse landscape is home to more than one million species of plants and animals. Many – like our most endangered animal, the mountain pygmy possum – are found nowhere else in the world. But our abundant biodiversity is under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, predation and climate change. With one of the worst extinction records in the world, the speed at which Australia is losing its native species is accelerating.

We are in a race against time to protect what’s left.

To understand the rate of loss, experts use tools to monitor and assess each threat. And right now, there is a revolution taking place, one where emerging technology is helping to safeguard our wildlife in bold new ways.

In this episode of Catalyst, Ann travels across the country to meet the Australian scientists who are using these innovative technologies to work smarter and faster.

From revealing surprising behaviours in our native bat species and identifying ways to rejuvenate our ocean kelp forests; to road-testing Australia’s new weapons in the fight against the illegal animal trade. Emerging technology hopes to be our insurance policy against losing our most endangered animals forever…

Could this be the wildlife revolution we’ve all been waiting for?

8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.