Plains-wanderer

Helping a PINT-SIZED SPECIES

Years of dedication and work have culminated in the recent release of eight Plains‑wanderer birds into the northern plains of Victoria — a first in Australian conservation history.

WORDS Jesse Failla

In autumn this year, eight of the world’s most Critically Endangered and genetically-distinct birds were released into the wild for the first time — embarking on a vital journey to help save the Plains-wanderer species from extinction.

Every tiny footstep these precious ground-dwelling birds took made Chris Hartnett’s heart sing. Following years of research, captive breeding and planning dedicated to Plains-wanderer conservation, the Threatened Species Project Officer says the opportunity to see these birds venture into the grasslands of Victoria’s northern plains was very special.

“There are currently fewer than 1,000 of these miniature, 70-gram birds remaining in the wild. Plains-wanderers are very rare and are an ancient part of Australia’s birdlife — the last of their evolutionary line,” says Chris.

The path to recovery

The elusive bird, characterised by its distinctive straw-coloured legs and bill, and fawn plumage with fine black rosettes, was once widespread throughout the grasslands of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

Wanderer facts

These tiny birds stand at about 15–19cm tall.

Female Plains‑wanderers are larger than males and have a distinctive white‑spotted, black collar on the neck.

The females will lay multiple clutches of eggs per year – with around two to five eggs per clutch.

Fly high

Watch the Plainswanderers being released into the wild.

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and South Australia. However, extensive habitat destruction, impacts from over grazing, a lack of understanding about the species and extreme weather events have seen the Plains-wanderer population decline by more than 85 per cent over the past 20 years, driving them to the brink of extinction.

In a collaborative research trial, four pairs of Plains-wanderers have been released to live on public and privately-owned land, closely tracked by a team of conservationists.

“Five years of conservation work have led us to this important release,” Chris says. The National Recovery Plan for the Plains-wanderer (see breakout box for more information) began in 2016, when the Australian Government brought together some of the best minds in threatened species recovery.

In a multi-state, cross-agency effort, a thriving insurance population of Plains-wanderers was established via a national captive breeding program. Thirty-two Plains-wanderers were obtained from the wild as foundation birds for the program, resulting in the hatching of 37 healthy chicks — 20 of those were at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

“A lot of work has gone into the captive breeding facilities, including researching and developing specialist skills in Plainswanderer husbandry, providing the birds with nutritional diets, and creating vegetation and an environment for the birds to express natural behaviours — with the aim of preparing them for wild release.”

A strong future

Each of the eight birds released has been fitted with a radio harness transmitter, weighing just 1.8 grams, that enables conservationists to closely monitor the birds within a range of three kilometres. The aim of the trial is to collect data on dispersal, breeding and survivorship, as well as refine monitoring technology, with the overall goal to facilitate larger-scale releases of the species in the future.

Chris says the release is the first phase of a six-part research trial for the species, which will see additional Plains-wanderers venture into the wild over the next three years.

“The hope is that by releasing them into protected and optimal conditions — with close monitoring and tracking from conservationists — the Plains-wanderers will be given the chance to thrive, breed and contribute to the restoration of their wild population.” ZN

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MAKING THE LIST

An increase in Zoos Victoria memberships enabled the Plains-wanderer to be included on our Fighting Extinction species list in 2017 — so a big thank you goes to our members.

Funds raised from memberships are instrumental in helping Zoos Victoria — a not-for-profit organisation — to focus on the conservation of our wildlife and saving threatened species such as the Plains-wanderer from extinction.

You can further support the conservation of this species by buying a Plains-wanderer Totes for Wildlife bag. The funds raised from the $10 reusable totes will go towards protecting Plains-wanderer habitat in Northern Victoria through conservation covenants managed by Trust for Nature.

A TEAM EFFORT

The Plains-wanderer National Recovery Team is a voluntary collaboration of government and conservation organisations that are working together to save this important native grassland bird from extinction.

The team includes Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Bush Heritage Australia, Elanus Consulting, Featherdale Wildlife Park, NSW Local Land Services, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Northern Plains Conservation Management Network, Parks Victoria, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, South Australian Government, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Trust for Nature Victoria, University of Sydney, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Zoos South Australia and Zoos Victoria.