Bushfire devastation leaves almost 50 Australian native species at risk of becoming threatened

Habitat untouched by the fires, which were five times as large as those in the Amazon last year, is critical for their survival, report finds

Nearly 50 Australian native species not currently listed as threatened could be at risk as a result of the continent's devastating bushfire season, according to a study drawing on the work of more than 20 leading scientists.

The researchers identified 70 animals that had much of their habitat affected by bushfire, including 49 that were not currently protected under national environment laws but should be urgently assessed.