Download Eastern Bristlebird Captive Program Update

Eastern Bristlebird
Captive Program
Update
The Northern Eastern Bristlebird
Dasyornis brachypterus monoides, is one
of the most critically endangered
populations with less than 50 individuals
estimated to remain in the wild. This
population is found only in south-eastern
Queensland and north-eastern New South
Wales and faces extinction in the wild
from threatening processes such as
habitat loss, grazing and predation.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in
conjunction with the Office of
Environment and Heritage (OEH) manages
the captive breeding program for this
threatened species. This captive program
serves as an insurance population to
increase Bristlebird numbers through
captive breeding and collection of eggs
and/or chicks from the wild to form
additional founders for breeding.
This breeding season has proven
successful with 4 chicks being
produced. These chicks were raised by
one of Currumbin’s dedicated breeding
pairs of Bristlebirds. This pair not only
successfully raised their own offspring
they were able to raise the offspring of
an unrepresented pair of Bristlebirds
with very important genetics.
The addition of these birds into the
captive breeding population not only
adds to the captive breeding
population it also injects much needed
new bloodlines to ensure the genetic
health and continuation of captive
breeding.
The 4 delightful chicks have flourished
and now are learning the skills required
to become potential breeders. Two of
the offspring were males and one is a
female and the fourth is yet to be
determined. We hope to have more
positive updates on the captive breeding
of this critically endangered species.
http://www.cws.org.au/