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

David Llewellyn agreed to send scientists into Coupe 19D and surrounding areas to verify the sightings of swift parrots by community members. He said he would make a decision about logging Coupe 19D once he had obtained information from the scientists.

A reprieve for the parrots for a little bit longer!!!!

Forestry Tasmania have since agreed to stop the logging and woodchipping of Coupe 19D until after the 2008/09 swift parrot breeding season!

This decision is a direct result of survey information provided to Forestry Tasmania by members of the community.

Congratulations! and Thank you!!

Forestry Tasmania are collaborating with the Threatened Species Unit in DPIW and the Forest Practices Authority (who authorise logging plans) to “…carry out a strategic assessment of the Wielangta forests”. (Dr Hans Drielsma, Forestry Tas)

The Forest Practices Authority wants to “…assure us that all parties are working towards ensuring a sound scientific basis for the long term management of habitat for Swift Parrot across its range”.

So, a further reprieve for the forest and residents in Coupe 19D until maybe late January 2009!!!!

The next few months are critical – now is the time to work towards the long term protection of swift parrot breeding habitat in Tasmania.

Be active.

The National Swift Parrot Recovery team are meeting in Hobart in November – so it’s good timing.

Make sure that every one of the 3,000 parrot postcards lands on Premier David Bartlett’s desk.

Write letters to Minister David Llewellyn and Premier David Bartlett asking for the protection of swift parrot habitat.

Rosslyn Beeby’s gutsy critique ‘Pondering Garrett’s Future’ in the Canberra Times, focuses on the Swift Parrot’s protection and survival as an indicator of Garrett’s success in his portfolio, given he’s responsible for the overhaul of the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.

Bob Brown calls for an immediate ban on logging in Wielangta and changes to the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement to provide protection to the Swift Parrots.

Graeme Hamilton, CEO of Birds Australia, is also on the Federal Minister’s case.

Forestry Tasmania’s usual response states it will move to protect endangered swift parrots if they’re found to be in a coupe that’s earmarked for logging.

Peter Garrett, Tony Burke and David Bartlett and David Llewellyn need to act before they become the Ministers/Premier of Extinction!

Keep an eye on the 7.30 report next week.