Criterion x (formerly Criterion iv)

Containing the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation

Shark Bay contains important and significant natural habitats where species of plants and animals of outstanding universal science and conservation values still survive. It contains habitats for, and species of, conservation significance:

• at least 28 endemic vascular plant species, 11 of which occur on Tamala Sandplain and coastal zone
• new plant species and expanded ranges for known species
• the only populations or major populations of the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur), rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus), banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus fasciatus); Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys fieldii), and western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville)
• an estimated one eighth of the world’s dugong (Dugong dugon) population
• large numbers of visiting humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during their annual migrations
• green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
• nine known endemic reptile species