Fighting to save the lovely orange-bellied parrot
was as early as the 1960s that the first feelings of unease about the future of the beautiful orange-bellied parrot were felt.
The large flocks we were used to seeing were becoming smaller, and some “traditional” feeding grounds were not being used.
By the 1980s their plight was obvious and the first decision to trial captive-breeding was taken. Purposebuilt aviaries in Hobart were developed and several pairs of parrots were taken there.
Captive-breeding had been tried earlier by aviculturists, but without any long-term success. So this trial, by the Tasmanian parks and wildlife deIT partment, would break new ground. The first results were promising so it was decided to expand the program interstate. Captive-breeding and release would become a key part of the conservation program for the parrot.
Aviaries in Victoria and South Australia, as well as Tasmania, now house 250 of the birds, and this year 50 juvenile parrots were safely released. Not all the parrots are in aviaries, of course.
At Melaleuca, in southwest Tasmania, where the parrots have their main natural breeding area, there were 31 “nest attempts” that successfully produced 88 fledglings. So the parrot population that now exists is one of natural and aviary-bred birds.
As many as 180 parrots are expected to undertake the migratory flight across Bass Strait this autumn, double the number last year. There are many hazards still remaining for the birds’ survival, but at least now there is a glimmer of hope for their future.