The arrival of over 90 Orange-bellied parrots to their summer breeding grounds in Lutruwita/Tasmania is welcome news. It’s a testament to the decades-long captive breeding program and those working on the species’ survival that it has recovered to this number from just 17 individuals.
With the population still low, and continuing threats to migrating birds from industrial development like the Robbins Island wind farm, the captive breeding program must be continued beyond next year to ensure the survival of the species.
The Orange-bellied parrot’s annual arrival is a reminder that the Liberals must do more to protect vulnerable species, like the Tasmanian devil, swift parrot, red handfish and Maugean skate from decline. The Liberal Government must take urgent action now to protect vulnerable species’ habitats from destructive industries like native forest logging and caged salmon farming.
There are more than 650 threatened species in Lutruwita/Tasmania, and the Liberals are still ignoring the cause of the problem. We’re in a biodiversity crisis – it’s time to stop backing in big business at the detriment of Tassie’s iconic native species.
With captive breeding programs costing tens of millions of dollars and having varied success, we can’t rely on them to secure the survival of all of our threatened species. Inappropriate industry development poses a substantial risk to species, even where captive breeding programs are in effect.
Tasmania’s Threatened Species Strategy is nearly 25 years old and urgently needs review, yet the Liberals have been sitting on a draft for a year. To avoid more threatened species decline, we need an up-to-date Threatened Species Strategy, as well as stronger environmental laws and a truly independent EPA with the power to enforce them.
