Zoos ’s Fighting Extinction Species SWIFT Lathamus discolour Critically Endangered

Photo: Nicole Brooker

The Australian Government upgraded the – is significantly hampering of the Swift Parrot Swift Parrot breeding success, and is now to Critically Endangered in 2016 after considered a major threat to the species. population viability analyses estimated The Swift Parrot is a new addition to Zoos a high probability of extinction in the Victoria’s Fighting Extinction priority species next twenty years. Land clearing has list. We will work with partners to support field dramatically reduced nesting and foraging actions to increase nesting success, identify habitat for Swift . Predation by important mainland habitat and investigate sugar gliders – which are introduced to the need for captive breeding. Zoos Victoria Photo: Nicole Brooker is committed to Fighting Extinction We are focused on working with partners to secure the survival of our priority species before it is too late.

The Swift Parrot is one of only two truly migratory parrots in the world. The species spends the winter on the mainland, searching far and wide for nectar from flowering eucalypts, before migrating across the to their main summer breeding grounds in eastern Tasmania. Land clearing has dramatically reduced landscape cover of nesting and foraging habitat for Swift Parrots. More than 70% of the and woodlands that the species once relied upon for foraging during winter and nesting over summer is no longer present. Nest predation by sugar gliders (introduced to Tasmania) is now recognised as a major threat to the species, as it severely limits breeding success.

KEY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES A recent population viability analysis by •• Increase nesting success in the wild. researchers at the Australian National University predicted severe population declines in the •• Identify important habitat. coming two decades. These findings prompted How can I help? •• Investigate the need for captive breeding. the Australian Government to upgrade the You can support our efforts species’ conservation status to Critically PROGRAM OUTCOMES Endangered in 2016. Unless measures to elevate to secure a future for the This is a newly prioritised Zoos Victoria nesting success can be found, the most recent Swift Parrot by supporting Fighting Extinction species, we aim to modelling results indicate a 31% likelihood of achieve the objectives above and annually extinction over the next 20 years. In addition to our Wildlife Conservation report on outcomes through Zoos Victoria supporting actions in the field to locate the most Master Plan 2019-2024 at: communication channels. important habitat for these parrots and minimise the threat from Sugar Gliders, we will also assess zoo.org.au/donate THE SPECIES the need for a captive insurance population and construct a breeding facility if required. The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) is a small, brightly-coloured, nectarivorous parrot that is THE PLAN streamlined for speed. Restricted to forests and PROGRAM PARTNERS woodlands in south-eastern , it is one The following critical next steps will enable Zoos of only two truly migratory parrots in the world Victoria, along with our partners to move forward Birdlife Australia (the other being the Orange-bellied Parrot). Each knowing that we are doing everything we can to birdlife.org.au prevent the extinction of this species: autumn, the entire wild population migrates Department of Environment, from their main summer breeding grounds in Land, Water and Planning Support field actions to increase eastern Tasmania across the Bass Strait to delwp.vic.gov.au the Australian mainland. During winter, nesting success by reducing $40,000 p.a disperse throughout Victoria and NSW in search predation from Sugar Gliders. Swift Parrot Recovery Team of nectar from flowering eucalypts. In Victoria, Identify important mainland most Swift Parrots forage in the dry forests and habitat though modelling $160,000 woodlands associated with the inland slopes of and implementation of new the Great Dividing Range. survey methods. Swift Parrots breed in tree hollows, generally Investigate the need for in close proximity to flowering eucalypts. The captive breeding and initiate $880,000 extent of eucalypt flowering can be an important a program if required. determinant of breeding success. Recent research has identified that nest predation Welcome this new species by the , which was introduced to onto Zoos Victoria’s priority list establishing the Swift Parrot’s Tasmania, is resulting in high rates of nesting $15,000 failure and elevated mortality rates for adult presence at our zoos and online females sitting on eggs. as part of our local threatened species commitment. Total cost over five years $1,255,000

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