Orange-bellied Parrots (OBP) have returned to Melaleuca in significant numbers this year, with a total of 86 birds making the journey home. The Minister for Environment, Madeleine Ogilvie, expressed optimism over this development, noting that the count includes 51 males and 35 females. Among them, 66 were born in the wild, while 20 were released as juveniles from captive breeding programs in earlier seasons.
Ogilvie emphasized the success of the ongoing OBP Tasmanian Program, highlighting the efforts of dedicated volunteers and staff. “Another year of promising return numbers demonstrates the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and staff as part of the successful OBP Tasmanian Program,” she stated. The program has implemented various activities aimed at supporting the parrots in both wild and captive environments, contributing to the conservation of this iconic species.
Despite being lower than last year’s record of 91 birds, this year’s figure represents the second-highest return since the implementation of reliable annual monitoring. The first fledglings of the season have also begun to arrive at the Five Mile Beach Wildlife Facility. Some of these young parrots, born at the facility, are expected to be released at Melaleuca in late summer to bolster the wild population.
The Tasmanian Government remains committed to the OBP program, having invested $2.5 million into developing the Five Mile Beach captive breeding facility. An additional $1.3 million has been allocated for tracking the parrots during their migration and for upgrades to the facility.
The Orange-bellied Parrot Tracking Project, led by NRE Tas in collaboration with Zoos Victoria, aims to enhance understanding of the birds’ migration patterns. For the upcoming 2025 tracking project, 39 OBPs will be fitted with lightweight very high frequency transmitters to monitor their journey to the mainland.
In the coming year, a report detailing the findings of this tracking initiative will be released, further contributing to the ongoing efforts to conserve the Orange-bellied Parrot. The commitment of both the government and local organizations reflects a unified approach to safeguarding this vulnerable species.
