Gynther, I., Waller, N. & Leung, L.K.-P.  (2016) Confirmation of the extinction of the Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola on Bramble Cay, Torres Strait: results and conclusions from a comprehensive survey in August–September 2014. Unpublished report to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
“The endangered Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola is known only from the very small (approximately 4ha) Bramble Cay in the north-east Torres Strait, Queensland. Because a limited survey in March 2014 failed to detect the species, Bramble Cay was revisited from 29 August to 5 September 2014, with the explicit aims of establishing whether the Bramble Cay melomys still persisted on the island and enacting emergency measures to conserve any remaining individuals . A thorough survey effort involving 900 small mammal trap-nights, 60 camera trap- nights and two hours of active daytime searches produced no records of the species, confirm ng that the only known population of this rodent is now extinct. Anecdotal information obtained from a professional fisherman who visited Bramble Cay annually for the past ten years suggested that the la st known sighting of the Bramble Cay melomys was made in late 2009. During the August–September 2014 survey, we documented the cay’s physical environment, measured the extent of the herbaceous vegetation and gathered evidence of physical processes that may have impacted adversely on the Bramble Cay melomys. The key factor responsible for the extirpation of this population was almost certainly ocean inundation of the low-lying cay, very likely on multiple occasions, during the last decade, causing dramatic habitat loss and perhaps also direct mortality of individuals. Available information about sea-level rise and the increased frequency and intensity of weather events producing extreme high water levels and damaging storm surges in the Torres Strait region over this period point to human- induced climate change being the root cause of the loss of the Bramble Cay melomys…”