THIRTEEN captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters were released into the Bunyip State Park on Wednesday in a bid to help save the critically endangered bird from extinction.
There were fears for the survival of a colony of the species in the Bunyip State Park following the Black Saturday firestorm.
However, the blaze stopped just 300 metres from the colony.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) field ornithologist Bruce Quin was relieved the birds survived. He said last breeding season was a success with 31 birds fledging.
The birds released into the park on Wednesday were bred and cared for by Healesville Sanctuary and Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
They will be supported in the wild by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and volunteer groups such as Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends of Bunyip State Park.
The Bunyip State Park colony is home to about 50 Helmeted Honeyeaters.
Helping hand for rare bird
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