Two species under threat of extinction

Albany wildlife conservationists have expressed fears for the populations of two critically endangered native animals that are on the brink of extinction.

The estimated population of WA's rarest bird, the western ground parrot, is only 140 birds and several recent bushfires have destroyed some of their habitat, while there has also been a significant decline in the populations of Gilbert's potoroo since 2012.

Western ground parrots are restricted in the wild to Cape Arid and Fitzgerald River national parks, with five parrots part of Perth Zoo's captive breeding program.

Friends of the Western Ground Parrot member Anne Bondin said she was worried some of the few remaining wild birds may have perished during bushfires which ravaged Cape Arid National Park recently.

Lightning strikes sparked three bushfires in the park, which burned 16,500ha of bushland last month.

About 7000ha was western ground parrot habitat, which Ms Bondin said had "huge implications" for the species' status.

"Seven thousand hectares is a huge amount to be gone and you would expect to have lost some birds," she said.

"We have not given up hope and think we will find some somewhere."

Department of Parks and Wildlife ecologist Sarah Comer is part of a team who will assess the fire's impact on the parrot's population over the next week.

Ms Comer said it was too early to predict the outcome of the survey but she was optimistic parrots may have escaped into areas of unburnt bush.

The plight of another critically endangered native animal that only exists at locations near Albany - Gilbert's potoroo - is also grave.

The marsupial is Australia's rarest mammal and one of the world's most endangered marsupials.

Potoroos are restricted to Two Peoples Bay and Bald Island nature reserves and an enclosure at Waychinicup National Park.

Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group chairman Ron Dorn said he was concerned by a significant decline in potoroo numbers across all three locations since 2012, from an estimated 120 to 60 animals.

"Funding support to accelerate research into the factors affecting the recovery of Gilbert's potoroo is desperately needed," Mr Dorn said.

The volunteer group is lobbying the Federal Government's Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews to include Gilbert's potoroo on the Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2015-16.

The plan aims to boost the status of 20 threatened mammals by 2020, with 12 species selected and the remaining eight to be chosen next year.

"It is disappointing the potoroo has not been included," Mr Dorn said.

"Inclusion in that campaign would give the recovery program a much-needed boost in terms of raising awareness of the potoroo's status and financial support."