The populations of two native animals will have a better chance at recovering from the Black Summer bushfires with support from a program that will significantly increase the numbers of Regent Honeyeater and Georges Snapping Turtle (also known as the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle) bred in captivity, with the ultimate aim of boosting numbers in the wild.
The Morrison Government is providing $621,192 to Taronga Conservation Society to increase the size of captive populations of these threatened species at their Regent Honeyeater breeding facility located at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, and at their Georges Snapping Turtle breeding facility located at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Taronga Conservation Society is one of nine specialist organisations accredited for positive animal welfare by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia that are receiving a share of $4.5 million in funding for captive breeding of eleven bushfire-affected species.
“Captive breeding has become an important tool for conservationists post bushfires, helping to steady the numbers of threatened species like the endangered Smoky Mouse and Regent Honeyeater,” Minister Ley said.
“That is why I am pleased to announce that nine specialist organisations will be receiving a share of $4.5 million to support breeding, leading to a greater number of these threatened animals being released back into their natural habitats.”
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the announcement.
“It is fantastic to see an outstanding local organisation receive funding to help some of our most unique wildlife recover following the devastating Black Summer Bushfires,” Minister Coulton said.
The eleven species are among the 119 animals identified by the Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel as high priorities for urgent management intervention following the bushfires.
The Eastern Bristlebird, four mammals (Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Mountain Pygmy-possum, Smoky Mouse, New Holland Mouse), three frogs (Kroombit Tinker Frog, Giant Barred Frog, Stuttering Frog), and another turtle (Manning River Helmeted Turtle) are the other species that will benefit from captive breeding activities.
Fire-affected wildlife is already being supported by targeted on-ground activities to recover their habitats including feral animal and weed control, revegetation, erosion control, Indigenous fire and land management, and protection of refuges.
The Morrison Government has made $200 million available to help native wildlife and their habitats recover from the devastating impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires across southern and eastern Australia
For more information visit www.environment.gov.au/bushfire-recovery/.
ENDS
Environment Minister’s office:
John Brady 0427 867 638
Ben Flores 0448 463 094
Background:
| Organisation | Species | Location | Funding |
| Taronga Conservation Society | Regent Honeyeater
|
Western Plains Zoo – Dubbo | $170,000
|
| Taronga Conservation Society | Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (aka Georges Snapping Turtle) | Taronga Zoo – Mosman | $451,192 |
