Conservation efforts for Australia's critically endangered night parrot have been given a $300,000 boost by the Queensland government.
Bush Heritage Australia will use the funds for a number of targeted management actions aimed at protecting the parrot including employing an ecologist, monitoring equipment such as song meters and camera traps, bushfire prevention work, and feral predator control.
The funds will also be used to engage with the Maiawali traditional owners, and to outfit Pullen Pullen's scientific research station.
Read more: New night parrot refuge at Mt Windsor
Bush Heritage's executive manager for the north region, Rob Murphy said the funding would help to secure the future of the rare and irreplaceable bird.
"Bush Heritage and its partners have committed significant time, energy and resources over the last five years to protecting the night parrot," he said. "This new funding allows us to continue and expand the vital on-ground conservation work necessary to safeguard the bird and its habitat."
There are believed to be between 10-20 night parrots at Pullen Pullen Reserve, the Bush Heritage property on Maiawali country in western Queensland.
They are only found in Australia and the only known population in Queensland occurs on Pullen Pullen and surrounds.
The $304,500 grant was awarded by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science under its NatureAssist program.
According to state Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon, protections for Pullen Pullen were strengthened in 2020 when the Palaszczuk government granted it Special Wildlife Reserve status, which gives it the same level of protections as a national park.
"The night parrot is famous around the world and I'm proud the Palaszczuk government has been able to support Bush Heritage Australia and traditional owners in their efforts to see it thrive," she said.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
