Rare Ground parrot’s habitat wider: team moves in to study Arid
The Western Recovery Team has completed the first of five surveys in Cape Arid National Park to help save the critically endangered bird from extinction.
Department of Conservation and Land Management recovery team research scientist Brent Barrett said the first survey was successful and data indicated a greater spread of the birds than was previously known.
“The evidence does not indicate an increase in bird numbers but it shows researchers that there were more birds than first assessed,” Mr Barrett said.
The recovery project stated in 2003 in Albany, and last month the team moved to Esperance.
On Saturday, the team starts the next 10-day expedition to Cape Arid.
The western ground parrot is found only along the southern coast of WA.
Ground parrots are shy and elusive and seldom seen.
Experts believe there are fewer than 200 of the birds.
The parrots were known to be resident in Cape Arid National Park between 1960 and 1984, and in 1989 a single bird was sighted in the park.
The apparent disappearance of the parrot from the park from 1989-2003 is not completely understood but the recovery team hopes mapping will answer questions.
Mr Barrett said that by August this year the recovery team should have a snapshot of the park and what the parrot dispersion was.
He said moving the project to Esperance helped raise community involvement in the project and awareness by the community of the need to protect Cape Arid.
The team is also working with CALM Esperance to develop a management plan for the parrot.
“We have not heard the end of the western ground parrot,” Mr Barrett said.
“The discovery of this displaced population may yield valuable information about the process that dictates habitat selection and population dispersal.
“With persistence and community support we hope to aid this species in its struggle against extinction.”