Release boosts honeyeaters

By Emma Schenk
ELEVEN captive-bred helmeted honeyeaters flew free at Bunyip National Park last Friday in an attempt to boost the population of Victoria’s endangered bird emblem.
Less than 100 honeyeaters are believed to be left in the wild and researchers couldn’t contain their excitement when the young birds were released.
“It’s extremely thrilling for all involved,” said Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Senior Ornithologist Bruce Quin.
The birds were acclimatised in an aviary at the release site for four days in the lead-up to their freedom and will join the established wild population and, hopefully, increase it.
They will be radio-tracked and supplied with feeding stations and a permanent water source.
Field assistant Emma Campbell said the soft-release and continued monitoring of the birds would ease them into their new life and aid in their survival.
“With improved technology, new radio tracking will let us see where they are and what sort of things they like,” Ms Campbell said.
About two-dozen people showed up to witness the magical birds being released, with many of them chasing the birds through the dense parkland to see where they flew.
HABITAT destruction, competition from other species, high rates of predation and other environmental factors such as fire contributed to the rapid decline of the birds but Mr Quin said there are a lot of ways to protect them.
“We undertake nest protection and work with Yellingbo Nature Reserve to swap eggs which helps breeding in the wild and increases genetic diversity,” he said.
Rebecca Rose, a Ph.D student studying helmeted honeyeaters, said the move was a step in the right direction.
“Anything that raises awareness about this critically endangered species is a good thing,” she said.
The 11 birds were bred at Healesville Sanctuary and Taronga Zoo, and will now be supported in the wild by the DSE, Parks Victoria and volunteer groups including Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends of Bunyip State Park.