The Bramble Cay melomys disappeared from its home in the eastern Torres Strait of the Great Barrier Reef. The animal was last seen by a fisherman in 2009, but due to no further sightings reported, scientists to say it is likely extinct.

The rat is named after its home on Bramble Cay, a small island, that is just 3 meters above sea level.

Since 1998, the part of the island that sits above high tide has shrunk from4 hectares to 2.5 hectares. The island's vegetation has been shrinking, and the rodents have lost about 97 percent of their habitat.

The key factor responsible for its extinction was almost certainly ocean flooding, causing dramatic habitat loss.

For low-lying islands like Bramble Cay, the destructive effects of extreme water levels are aggravated by anthropogenic (human) activities.

Around the world, sea level has risen by almost 8 inches, a level unparalleled in the last 6000 years.

This small mammal is therefore only the first of many species that face significant risk due to a warming climate, the authors warn.

Scientists suggest that one in five species may be at risk from climate change. Those on small islands and mountains are most threatened, since they have few places to go when the situations change.

There's still time left. We can work to mitigate the worst impacts, by relocating wildlife as needed, and by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE

References:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/first-mammal-extinct-climate-change-bramble-cay-melomys/

PHOTOGRAPH BY AUSCAPE, UIG VIA GETTY IMAGES