The White's Seahorse was classified as 'endangered' in 2020 after populations in New South Wales declined by as much as 90% within six years. The mission aims to plug vital knowledge gaps in the Queensland population. Researchers at the University of Queensland have embarked on a mission to conduct the first-ever study of White’s Seahorses in a bold new attempt to save them from extinction. The aim is to quickly plug the critical information gaps surrounding the species of seahorse – one of only two in the world now to be classified as ‘endangered’.  The task will be led by Associate Professor Karen Cheney from the University of Queensland’s School of the Environment. It follows the classification of the species some five years ago as ‘endangered’ after it was discovered that some populations in New South Wales had declined by as much as 90% within just six years. “Similar population declines may have occurred in Queensland, but the species has never been studied here so no conservation efforts exist, unlike in New South Wales,” said Dr Cheney. “Seahorses are highly selective with habitat choices and have minimal ability to move, so they are very susceptible to disturbances.” The White’s Seahorse is a species native to the east coast of Australia and one that is found mostly in its estuarine environments. However, a recent confluence of human induced environmental impacts, including the changing climate conditions, flood events, and dredging has led to the rapid loss of critical White’s Seahorse habitat, including seagrass beds and soft coral environments.