JANUARY
15 2019 - 3:21PM
Jake
Dietsch
A nest of
the western ground parrot was discovered for the first time in more than 100
years in Cape Arid National Park.
Department
of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions principle research scientist
Allan Burbidge said the department had monitored the Western Ground Parrot
population and managed known threats.
“This is
the first time a nest has been found in the wild,” he said.
“The
species formerly occurred along the south coast from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Arid,
and in a few near-coastal areas south of Geraldton.
“It is
now confined to heathlands in Cape Arid National Park and the adjacent
Nuytsland Nature Reserve.”
A small
number of Western Ground Parrots are in Perth Zoo, the only birds of the
species in captivity.
The
discovery was made by a department research team in November 2018.
Mr
Burbidge said the main threat to the parrot was introduced predators and
bushfires.
A fire
started by lightning on January 13, 2019 went on to burn through important
parts of the parrot’s habitat.
Parks and
Wildlife Services said the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and
Attractions would evaluate the impact of the fire on the parrot once the fire
was contained.
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