Scientists identify the first mammal to go extinct due to man-made climate change

Bramble Cay melomy is now extinct.
(Image credit: Screensot/IBTimes UK)

The Bramble Cay melomy is no more.

The small rat-like rodent is believed to be the first mammal to have gone extinct primarily due to man-made climate change, according to researchers that spoke with The Guardian. The only endemic mammal to the Great Barrier Reef, the melomy is believed to be just the start of what could be a massive die-off of species around the world due to climate change.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.