Wild Wielangta

For everyone’s interest here’s the content of a letter we presented to Minister David Llewellyn (Minister for Primary Industries and Water) at our meeting yesterday. The letter summarises points raised in the meeting and we’re hopeful of achieving some positive results!

“We greatly appreciate you making time to meet with us today to discuss the future of the endangered Swift Parrot and its critical breeding habitat in Wielangta.

Firstly, we would like to commend you on your far-sighted decision, which followed on from our previous meeting in October of last year. Your announcement to defer harvesting of coupe 19D whilst Swift Parrots were breeding in the area, and for the Department of Primary Industries and Water to contribute funding to a strategic survey of Swift Parrot breeding in the broader Wielangta area over the 2008/09 breeding season, has set in train a chain of events that could well prove to be pivotal in terms of securing a brighter future for one of the world’s rarest birds.

Much has changed since we met last October and we are very pleased to note that both you and Premier David Bartlett have made public statements to the effect that the State Government is committed to the conservation of the Swift Parrot.

We understand that the Wielangta report is due to be released any day and that this report will now feed into a Strategic Management Plan for Swift Parrot Breeding Habitat across Tasmania, currently under preparation by the Fauna Strategy Group within the Forest Practices Authority. This report is due to be released at the end of June.

Our purpose in requesting a meeting with you today is to raise a number of issues of concern over the future direction of Government policy in regards to both Wielangta and its significance as a critical breeding area for Swift Parrots. We raise these concerns with you both in your role as Minister for Primary Industries and as our representative in the electorate of Lyons, an electorate that encompasses much of the Swift Parrot’s critical breeding habitat, including Wielangta.

The first point we would like to raise is about the process surrounding the development and adoption of a Strategic Management Plan for Swift Parrot Breeding Habitat. We believe that this report should be made public when completed in June and that, as per Clause 96D in the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA), there should be a public comment period on the proposed plan. This clause requires public comment to be noted when there are any new or altered management prescriptions for threatened species.

Will the State Government follow the recommendations in the Tasmanian RFA and immediately release the proposed Swift Parrot Management Plan, on its’ completion in June, for public comment? How long will the public comment period be? We would anticipate a period of three months being allowed for the adequate public consideration of such a document. What will the process be for taking account of public comment? Who will be involved? Who will take responsibility for the final decisions?

It is our belief, based on our own research and lengthy consultations with many of the experts in the field, that the only way to ensure that Swift Parrots are brought back from the brink of extinction, is to afford all of their critical breeding areas in Tasmania permanent protection in the form of legislated conservation reserves. These extraordinary birds are so imperilled, with their numbers believed to have declined significantly over the last few years, that any more piecemeal or discretionary approach to their management is, we believe, doomed to failure. There seems to be unanimous agreement amongst scientists that the biggest threat to the survival of Swift Parrots is the “extensive, ongoing loss of old growth nesting habitat in Tasmania” (p32, “The State of Australia’s Birds 2008”, Birds Australia).

We are extremely concerned that the State Government may choose to continue to try and manage the State’s endangered species under the mechanisms available under the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement, which would effectively be a prescription-based rather than a reserve-based approach. Prescription-based management has clearly failed the Swift Parrot and has contributed to the bird’s increasingly endangered status.

Will the State Government commit to permanent protection of critical breeding habitat for Swift Parrots through a system of legislated conservation reserves?

A pertinent example of the shortcomings of prescription-based management occurred in the last coupe to be logged in Wielangta, coupe 17E. After consultations with the Senior Zoologist, Ray Brereton, and others in 2002, prescriptions were put in place to exclude harvesting operations from “high quality nesting habitat” and other nearby areas where “Swift Parrots were observed nesting” (“Swift Parrot Nesting Habitat in Wielangta State Forest”, K. Ziegler,  2002). During subsequent harvesting operations a substantial number of trees were felled in the area identified as “high quality nesting habitat” and trees nearby where “Swift Parrots were observed nesting” were felled in roading operations to access coupe 19D last year. (These prescription failures only came to light through the careful observations of members of the local community.)

This situation clearly illustrates the weaknesses of trying to manage a highly endangered species through management prescriptions, which with the best of intentions can fail through communication breakdowns, errors in mapping and interpretation, and variability in definitions. If the State Government really is committed to the conservation of Swift Parrots and as the Premier recently stated is prepared to “continue to do whatever we can to support their ongoing survival” (undated letter from Premier David Bartlett, 2009), then permanent protection of scientifically-identified critical breeding areas in legislated reserves, is the only way forward.

It would then be appropriate for areas outside critical breeding habitat reserves to be identified and protected by management prescriptions, where they are considered to have values as possible foraging habitat or potential breeding habitat, pending further research.

The reservation of Swift Parrot critical breeding habitat in the Wielangta State Forest would provide the State Government with a wonderful opportunity to not only make a major contribution to ensuring the survival of one of the world’s rarest, most extraordinary and colourful birds, but would also serve to protect for future generations (including the many tourists currently flocking to marvel at Tasmania’s natural treasures) the many other ecological riches of Wielangta.

As far back as 1993, the Forestry Commission’s botanic consultant recommended the then proposed Wielangta Refuge, be protected in it’s entirety (3,000 ha), to conserve an area whose botanical values encompass rare, threatened and restricted species within a diverse range of plant communities.

Areas within Wielangta have also been identified as containing:

• Core habitat critical to the continued viability of the Tasmanian fauna as a whole (Register of the National Estate, May 2004)
• Some of Tasmania’s tallest trees
• Rich and diverse forest cover ranging from dry grassy forest to closed canopy rainforests
• The largest area of remote forest within close proximity to Hobart
• At least 11 threatened species of flora, 34 endemic plant species, rare flora communities and 11 plant communities of significance
• Unusually diverse conjunctions and rapid transitions of forest community types
• Five threatened fauna species, with a further six thought to be present
• A high degree of fauna species richness within a restricted area
• High wilderness quality and biophysical naturalness ratings

It is important to note that whilst much of this information relates back to research undertaken up to 15 years ago, the area that was previously identified as the Wielangta Refuge has only had one area logged during that time (coupe 17E), in addition to the roading associated with proposed coupe 19D. The values of Wielangta as an important refuge for biodiversity on Tasmania’s east coast can therefore be assumed to be largely unchanged.

Aside from its contribution to maintaining the biodiversity of our beautiful island state, the creation of a substantial conservation reserve in Wielangta would offer other obvious benefits to the Tasmanian community and to the Tasmanian economy, particularly at a local level within the Lyons electorate. As you are perhaps aware, the Wielangta Forest Road has now become established as a major tourist route. Local tourist operators recommend visitors use the road as a scenic connection from Freycinet and the east coast to the Tasman Peninsula and its attractions, including Port Arthur. The creation of a major conservation reserve in Wielangta would further enhance visitor’s east coast experience and contribute to the possibility of their allowing more time for exploring this part of the state, with all the flow-on benefits this would represent for local communities, tourism business operators and the local service industries. Opportunities exist to develop interpretative and educational facilities along the Wielangta Road, which passes through the centre of this extraordinary forested area.

This presents the State Government with a wonderful opportunity to foster the growth of sustainable employment opportunities in this region, particularly in this time of a rapidly changing situation in regards to climate change and the global financial crisis, which is having a very deep impact on woodchip markets at present.

The sticking point in this potentially exciting way forward for the region is the treacherous condition of the Wielangta Road itself.  With the cessation of logging operations in Wielangta since the Federal Court ruling in 2006, the agency responsible for the management of the road, Gunns Ltd, has had no incentive to maintain the road. This has lead to the dangerous situation where the main users of the road, interstate and international visitors, are literally taking their life in their hands when taking this recommended scenic route as part of their visit to Tasmania. There have been numerous accidents involving visitors rolling vehicles after encountering the unexpectedly dangerous driving conditions that include; extensive areas of potholes and corrugations, areas where the surface has been worn down to the road base and poor signage for the numerous sharp bends. Many of the tourists travelling the Wielangta Road are in hire cars (including numerous campervans), which are totally unsuited to the conditions.

There seem only two options at this stage, either the road should be closed to non-local traffic or the State Government should resume control of the road and maintain and promote it as a major tourist route, which has currently happened by default, but in a way that leaves visitors at risk of serious injury or even death.

We support the state’s tourism industry in calling for the State Government to act immediately to bring an end to this dangerous situation that is casting a shadow over tourist’s experience of Tasmania.

Will the State Government take action to resume control of the Wielangta Road:
• To ensure the road is suitably maintained as a scenic tourist link between Freycinet and the east coast and the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur
• To make an investment in this important part of the region’s infrastructure, with the possible economic benefits this could provide to the region, particularly if a substantial conservation reserve is declared in Wielangta?

As we have previously requested, we would urge you to find time in your undoubtedly busy schedule, to come on a tour of Wielangta with us, to see for yourself:
• The values of Wielangta as an important refuge for the endangered Swift Parrot,
• The potential and possibilities of creating a major conservation reserve both to protect biodiversity and to enhance the east coast experience for tourists
• The treacherous condition of the important tourist link road through Wielangta?

The final issue we would like to raise with you is to ask you if you will approach the Premier, David Bartlett, on our behalf and request that he meet with us. We have previously requested meetings to no avail, but are hopeful that with your support the Premier may be more responsive. Our desire to have the opportunity to discuss the future of the Swift Parrot with the Premier, has only been heightened by the Premier’s announcement in March of this year to undertake a tree-planting program on the east coast, to address what the Premier has identified as a “lack of breeding-season foraging habitat” which is “likely to be a limiting factor in Swift Parrot population recovery” (Premier’s media release 3/3/09).

Despite extensive enquiries we have been unable to ascertain where the Premier could have received scientific advice to support such a program as a key strategy to protect these endangered birds. We are very pleased that Swift Parrots are firmly on the Premier’s agenda, but are concerned he has received advice that is not in line with current scientific thinking on the best way to ensure the Swift Parrot’s survival. Your intervention, as our representative in Lyons, and as the responsible minister, in securing a meeting for us with the Premier, would be greatly appreciated.

We thank you again for your time today and would appreciate an early response to the key points we have raised:

• Will the State Government follow the recommendations in the Tasmanian RFA and immediately release the proposed Swift Parrot Management Plan on its’ completion in June for public comment? How long will the public comment period be? What will the process be for taking account of public comment? Who will be involved? Who will take responsibility for the final decisions?

• Will the State Government commit to permanent protection of critical breeding habitat for Swift Parrots through a system of legislated conservation reserves?

• Will the State Government take action to resume control of the Wielangta Road, with the possible economic benefits this could provide to the region, particularly if a substantial conservation reserve is declared in Wielangta?

• Will you come on a tour of Wielangta with us, to experience first-hand the issues we have raised today, and to see the possibilities this biologically diverse area holds for the local community in your electorate?

• Will you approach the Premier, David Bartlett, on our behalf and request that he meet with us?”

Please contribute any comments you have to the blog or contact me at wildwielangta at gmail dot com.

Actions resulting from the meeting will be posted as soon as they come to light!

Sharon East
Spokesperson
Wildwielangta at gmail dot com

For anyone who missed last Thursday’s Mercury (12/3/09), here’s their spin on what Minister Lllewellyn had to say in the Tasmanian State Parliament on 11/3/09.

What do you think about the Minister’s comments? Letters to the editor would be great! (mercuryedletter at dbl.newsltd.com.au ) We’re always interested in any stories on Swift Parrots in mainland (or international!) media, please forward to our email address, if you spot anything.
 
The auditor general’s report into the management of threatened species in Tasmania (mentioned in the Mercury) article is now available online, go to:
 
http://tinyurl.com/dn4zmq
 
From my quick skimming through yesterday, it gives a good idea of what’s NOT happening in terms of protecting threatened species in our state. You can view the Greens media release in response to the report at:

http://www.tas.greens.org.au/News/view_MR.php?ActionID=3585
 
There IS lots happening on the Swift Parrot front at present though, reports being written, speeches made…our Premiers even going to be out planting 2,500ha of Blue Gums to supposedly help save the species. We’re setting our sights on achieving some much more useful and scientifically-sound ways of saving these beautiful birds from extinction. A full report on all the goings-on will be posted soon.
 
Bye for now
 
Sharon East
Wild Wielangta
wildwielangta at gmail dot com  

The recent announcement by Premier Bartlett about planting 2,500 hectares of Blue Gums on the East Coast over the next 5 years, as feeding habitat for endangered Swift Parrots, is bizarre and misguided.

If Swift Parrots are to avoid extinction they need to be able to breed successfully. For this they require forests full of old trees with suitable nesting hollows such as are found in Wielangta Forest, where most of the world’s remaining Swift Parrots have been breeding this year. But these all-important breeding sites in our State Forests are continuing to be woodchipped.

The Premier has completely missed the point. He is offering to provide Swift Parrots with a possible food source in the distant future whilst at the same time condoning the destruction of their nest trees. It is useless for these birds to have food but nowhere to breed. The protection of old growth forests is the key to their survival.

Premier Bartlett has clearly not consulted any scientists with expert knowledge of this endangered bird or even consulted relevant Government Departments before announcing this bizarre and misguided initiative. Two key scientific government reports that directly relate to the management and conservation of Swift Parrot habitat are soon to be released – the Strategic Management Plan for Swift Parrot Breeding Habitat and the Wielangta Swift Parrot Breeding Season Report 2008/09. The Premier has jumped the gun and unleashed this unscientific scheme before the experts have provided the Government with the advice the Government itself requested.

We are glad to see the Premier finally acknowledging that urgent action needs to be taken to save this beautiful bird from extinction albeit with a crackpot scheme. Hopefully in the coming months, he will take a dose of much needed scientific advice and announce a range of measures that will make a genuine difference to the conservation status of Swift Parrots.

For more information contact:
Sharon East 03 6253 5348
Lisa Cuatt 03 6253 5493
0428 399103
http://wildwielangta.edublogs.org
wildwielangta at gmail dot com

The local Wielangta campaign is starting to gear up again post-summer break and post Swift Parrot breeding. After winning a reprieve for the Swift Parrots, so that they could breed safely in Wielangta this summer, time is now running out as the parrots begin to disperse in preparation for heading back to the mainland over the next few weeks and months. We were only able to secure an undertaking from Minister Llewellyn that Forestry would hold off logging their habitat whilst they were breeding. So as soon as breeding is deemed over, the bulldozers and chainsaws could be heading back into Wielangta to log this important Swift Parrot nesting area.
We are hoping that Forestry will hold off moving into coupe 19D at least until the report from the Threatened Species Unit survey team comes out. A team of three scientists from the unit have been working away over the last few months to ascertain the numbers of Swift Parrots and their distribution in Wielangta this summer. They have particularly focused on observing and recording breeding activity. Their report should be released in about 5 weeks time. Whether Forestry take on board whatever the report’s recommendations will be, remains to be seen.

It would be good to gather any news or information on what’s happening with Swift Parrots from other parts of their breeding range. Greens MP Cassy O’Connor is keen to raise questions in State Parliament when it resumes, so the more info we can gather the better. If you know of breeding/foraging habitat that’s currently being or about to be logged, please let me know. Any other info on what Forestry or other government agencies are up to re Swift Parrots appreciated!
The first Swifties were recorded back on the mainland last week, in central Victoria – a very early return, whilst in contrast the Wielangta survey team have been observing birds breeding late.
If you live fairly locally and would like get more involved – you are welcome to join our campaign planning group (we meet regularly in Kellevie). Fresh ideas and energy are always needed! Over the coming weeks we’ll be working out how to get the State Government to turn a temporary reprieve for Wielangta and the Swift Parrots into a permanent one.

We’ll need lots of help!

Let’s hope this year sees Swift Parrot habitat protected across Tasmania, so the birds can continue to grace our skies and breed successfully next year. If you’ve got info to share, help to offer or you would like to join our meetings, please email me at the address below.

Thanks!
Sharon East
Wielangta Campaign
South East (Tas) Forest Protection Group

wildwielangta at gmail dot com

Dear Friends
The new year started with Forestry Tasmania overturning a peaceful blockade that for over two years had protected rainforest, ancient eucalypts and wildlife in the beautiful Florentine valley.  Despite massive community opposition, they are bulldozing a road and logging right next to the World Heritage area in forest that is itself of World Heritage value.
Will Wielangta be next?  The temporary reprieve for coupe 19D expires when the Swift Parrot breeding season finishes, around about now.  Last year’s report on the dire plight of this delightful and critically threatened bird has produced no meaningful government response.  Promised landscape management plans are nowhere to be seen, and there is no timetable to produce them, no government funding for research, and still no up to date recovery plan.  See www.on-trial.info for the latest.
Bob Brown’s Tasmania 2, for Wielangta
Photo exhibition, Hobart, 27 February – 8 March
This second photo exhibition is to charm your eye. It is a galaxy of Tasmania’s flora, fauna and wild places, and we hope you and your friends can make it to the opening at 6pm at the Long Gallery, Salamanca Place, Hobart on 27 February, or visit the Long Gallery from Feb 28 — March 8.

The exhibition also serves the serious purpose of raising money to pay for our initially successful court challenge against logging Wielangta Forest and the habitat of its rare and endangered species. Forestry Tasmania is demanding $280,000 — I am not acceding but have no further court of appeal on the judgement.

View the images at www.greenart.com.au and you can make a purchase here as well.

We wish you a happy, hopeful and fulfilling 2009,
Bob Brown and Margaret Blakers

A casual visitor to Fortescue Bay might be mistaken to think our beautiful swift parrots are in abundance.

Any camper staying in the Mill Creek Campsite will be lucky enough to be greeted early each morning by a cacophony of happy and excitable swift parrots with the characteristic high pitched clinks and budgerigar-like chirruping. In fact they go on all day as they flitter from tree to tree in small groups

The blue gums are laden with blossom and the parrots are making the most of it. Last week there were at least 20-30 birds resident at Fortescue Bay. The large trees on the shore adjacent to the boat ramp have canopies spreading to eye level. These trees, and one in particular with an unusual pink hue to the blossom, affords wonderful opportunities for close up viewing.

The blue gums are however confined to a narrow band around Fortescue Bay with few other stands within the National Park. Consequently the extensive habitats to be found through Wielangta really are important for providing the sustained nectar resource necessary for successful breeding.

Andrew North

The number of Forestry Tasmania cars collected at the Wielangta turn off yesterday, and the nine full cars and minibus that went up the road, bodes well for the interest level in Swift Parrots in Wielangta.

We hope to be able to update you further soon.

Our ‘Save the Swift Parrot’ postcard campaign has been a fabulous success. Nearly 3,000 colour postcards were distributed within about 10 days of us asking for help to get them signed and in the Premier’s office by the end of the month.

Volunteers from across Tasmania, from Southport to Grindelwald, from Bruny Island to Triabunna offered their help and many cards were also requested from supporters in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

We even had a request for cards from Darwin!

Right select ‘Save target As…’ to download the print version and send it off yourself.

Wild Wielangta members met with the Tasmanian Premier’s office yesterday, hearing that the Premier’s getting the message, loud and clear, that the community wants immediate action to save this beautiful bird. The Premier’s forestry advisor admitted that they’d been swamped by cards and emails about Swift Parrots.

Questions have now been asked in State and Federal Parliaments and there’s been intense media interest, with The Australian, Canberra Times, Age, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio National, local ABC radio and TV stations all covering the unfolding story.

The National Swift Parrot Recovery Team are visiting Hobart next week and we are hoping to have the opportunity to take them out to Wielangta, to see the birds we’ve observed nesting there and to talk with them about the Government’s response to this conservation emergency.

Right select ‘Save target As…’ to download this fabulous new report ‘The Swift Parrot in Tasmania: its Conservation Status and the Impact of Logging on its Breeding Habitat’ by Marg Blakers and Isobel Crawford, for lots of detail on what’s happening to Swift Parrots and their habitat.

Cassy O’Connor, Green Parliamentarian in Tasmania has also been challenging Premier Bartlett and Minister Llewellyn on their lack of action to protect the Swift Parrot. Right select ‘Save target As…’ to download the Hansard notes of her recent speech.

So, many thanks to all of you who’ve helped with postcards, written to politicians and kept the Letters to the Editor rolling in to your local papers.

Other areas where these endangered birds are breeding are, most likely, being logged right now, with the loss of eggs, chicks and the adult birds at the nest. For ideas for a letter see the recent post on blog: Swift Parrot ‘Reprieve’ Not Enough to Halt Extinction Threat

Please help keep the pressure up by writing to the Tasmanian Premier, David Bartlett, GPO Box 123, Hobart 7001. Tell Premier Bartlett that it’s not enough to temporarily halt logging in one coupe in Wielangta Forest.

You can also write to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, C/o Parliament House, Canberra 2601. Ask him to intervene to save the Swift Parrot’s breeding habitat in Tasmania using his powers under the Regional Forest Agreement.

See the recent post Swift Parrot Critically Endangered – Faulkner undertakes to tell Rudd about his Swift Parrot responsibilities for ideas for your letter.

Oh! If you live in Australia, check out your local cafes for another Swift Parrot postcard that’s been produced by Greens Senator, Bob Brown’s office and is being distributed around the country by AvantCard (the free postcard people). Grab one and send it off to the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd asap!

Sharon East
For Wild Wielangta
wildwielangta at gmail dot com

During Senate Estimates questioning 20th October, Senator Bob Brown was at pains to ensure that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is made aware of his responsibility to take action to protect the swift parrot, under the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA), given that:

‘…it (the RFA) states that the Commonwealth and Tasmania agree that the:
… application of management strategies and management prescriptions developed under Tasmania’s Forest Management Systems, protect rare and threatened fauna.
And Forestry Tasmania has stated publicly in the last week that it intends to log one of the richest nesting sites for this species known after the current nesting season.’

(Hansard 20th October 2008, F&PA 75, our additions in brackets and emphasis in bold)

Senator John Faulkner undertook to ‘…make the Prime Minister’s office aware of that (matter) urgently, and draw it to the Prime Minister’s attention appropriately’.
(Hansard 20th October 2008, F&PA 78, our additions in brackets)

We maintain a watching brief. Read Bob’s media full release below for more detailed information.

Wielangta update

A new report on the Swift Parrot concludes that the species may now be critically endangered, not just endangered. The only evidence of its population level, winter surveys on the mainland, shows a dramatic decline in Swift Parrot sightings since 2003. Logging of its Tasmanian nesting and foraging habitat is the prime threat to the species.

The report calls on Prime Minister Rudd to use his powers under the Regional Forest Agreement to halt logging in coupes containing Swift Parrot breeding habitat until a landscape scale protection plan is in place. Read the report at www.on-trial.info.

Who is responsible for the fate of the Swift Parrot?

At Senate estimates this week, representatives of the Prime Minister’s department maintained that the Environment Department has ‘main carriage’ of the Swift Parrot issue and that the Prime Minister had not been informed of it. (Transcripts are at http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S11349.pdf, starting on p.73)

Over at the Environment Department, Minister Garrett says that the Tasmanian forest management agencies are responsible for protecting the Swift Parrot and he cannot intervene.

(http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2008/2397656.htm)

In Tasmania, Ken Jeffreys, speaking for Forestry Tasmania, says there are 391 000 hectares of suitable habitat for the Swift Parrot and that 1000 pairs only need 2000 hectares to breed in! ()

Meanwhile at Wielangta, Forestry Tasmania has agreed to suspend logging in coupe 19D until the Swift Parrots have finished nesting. That’s a reprieve of about 3 months!

Only Prime Minister Rudd and Tasmanian Premier Bartlett can untangle this knot. In 2007, then Prime Minister Howard and Premier Lennon changed the Regional Forest Agreement overnight in response to the Justice Marshall’s Wielangta judgment. Now they can change it to protect the Swift Parrot – or Prime Minister Rudd can terminate the Agreement so that responsibility for threatened species in Tasmanian forests reverts to the federal Environment Minister.

Bob Brown and Margaret Blakers

Media Release
Wild Wielangta
South East Tas Forest Protection Group
15th October 2008

Swift Parrot “Reprieve” Not Enough to Halt Extinction Threat

Local residents welcome yesterday’s announcement by David Llewellyn, Minister for Energy and Resources, Primary Industries and Water, that logging and woodchipping will be postponed in Wielangta Forest where endangered Swift Parrots are currently breeding.

“The Minister’s announcement will allow the Swift Parrots to breed in safety in Wielangta for this year, but still leaves the way open for Forestry Tasmania to log this all important breeding habitat as soon as the parrots migrate back to the mainland” said Sharon East, spokesperson, Wild Wielangta, South East Tas Forest Protection Group.

“If it had not been for the threatened species surveys conducted by local volunteers in recent weeks, Forestry Tasmania would still be unaware of this significant breeding event of a federally-listed endangered species in Wielangta Forest.  The very trees where the birds are now nesting could have been chipped and on their way to Japan by now if it had been left to Forestry Tasmania staff to conduct appropriate surveys” said Ms East.

“Minister Llewellyn’s reassurance that the State Government is committed to the conservation of the Swift Parrot is completely at odds with warnings from the National Swift Parrot Recovery Team and Birds Australia that the woodchipping of Swift Parrot breeding habitat in Tasmania is the key threat to its survival” said Ms East.

“Swift Parrots are on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species which gives global recognition to their endangered status.  With less than 1,000 breeding pairs, they are rarer than China’s Giant Pandas and Africa’s Mountain Gorillas.   The Tasmanian and Federal Governments must act to protect this jewel of a bird.  This is a conservation emergency” said Ms East.

“On the mainland there are hundreds of volunteers re-afforesting areas specifically as Swift Parrot winter feeding habitat and yet here in Tasmania, the only place in the world that they breed, the State Government allows the destruction of their nesting and feeding habitat.

“Wild Wielangta has launched a ‘Save the Swift Parrot’ postcard campaign and 3,000 cards are currently winging their way to the Tasmanian Premier from across our state and the mainland.  We are calling on Premier Bartlett to protect the Swift Parrots’ critical breeding habitat in areas such as Wielangta, the Southern Forests and Bruny Island.  Surely David Bartlett doesn’t want to become known as the Premier of Extinction!” concluded Ms East.

For more information contact:
Sharon East 6253 5348
Lisa Cuatt 6253 5493  0428 399103
http://wildwielangta.edublogs.org
wildwielangta@gmail.com