Is the fate of the Orange Bellied Parrot sealed? Only 3 females, and 11 males survived the annual migration, returning to Melaleuca in Tasmania's southwest. They are "breeding endemic" to Tasmania. The article from today's Mercury (Hobart) does offers some hope, let's hope success is the next major announcement. It also indicates an outbreak of psittacime beak and feather disease to be a major factor in their demise.
Edit; The online version doesn't mention the psittacine beak and feather disease, but the printed version did!
It's to Australia's ever lasting shame that it has come to this. Rigorous controls over disturbances may well have prevented this species' likely demise.
I recall reading some years ago that feeding tables had been established for Orange-bellied Parrots at Melaleuca. I wonder if this artificial feeding played a part in the contraction of psittacine beak & feather disease by the parrots.
It was certainly an immense privilege to have observed Orange-bellied Parrots at close quarters some years ago. I now feel stunned, numb, saddened & dismayed although slightly heartened that there are still folk of good will wanting to save the species from extinction.
And a follow up story today.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/emergency-effort-to-save-orangebellied-parrot-wins-public-support/news-story/26d3028b1b770eef0a07c32218e425e7
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
How wonderful that so many people have responded to the call for action to save the Orange-bellied Parrot from extinction. How sad that it takes a species to stagger to the brink of extinction before people become motivated to act. It will be a great day indeed when our country controls the reckless disrespect for our wildlife & prevents this sort of thing from occurring to any native species.