'Drastic reductions' of Australia's northern bettong population reported

Scientists call for species to be listed as critically endangered after finding range reduced by 70%

Researchers are calling for urgent measures to save the northern bettong from extinction after a five-year study found just two remaining populations of the animal in the wild.

The research, led by WWF Australia working with the Queensland government and scientists from James Cook University, has recommended state and federal governments look to establish insurance populations for the small marsupial known as the "rat kangaroo".