Austr Alia's Arks

摘要

I WATCH AS THE rusty strands break apart in my fingers, knowing full well that this fence in the South Australian desert means life or death for the bilbies, bettongs and other rare animals inside it. My companion, biologist Dr Kath Tuft, is frowningat other decaying strands.We have paused on the boundary of Arid Recovery, the 12,3()0ha wildlife reserve Kath manages, to inspect its predator-proof fence. The rust we find is confined to some strands buried in shallow sand, which means that no fox or cat can get through, but this section will need replacing sooner rather than later. Should the corrosion worsen, rabbits will claw their way through, foxes and cats will follow and...you can guess the rest.