ALERT FOR ENDANGERED MALLEEFOWL OF GOONOO STATE FOREST

Media Release 28^th October 2000

The latest research efforts by the National Parks Association of NSW reveal a precarious position for the continued survival of the Malleefowl in the Goonoo State Forest, near Dubbo. "Better habitat protection is urgently needed to save this bird from extinction," said David Paull, the Western Woodlands Officer for the National Parks Association.

The research shows that few pairs attempt to breed each year - about six - and that this has probably not increased over the last few years. The bird remains highly susceptible to foxes and disturbance to its habitat, and there are no recent records of breeding success.

"Goonoo forest is significant as it has the probably the last isolated population of the Malleefowl in the central west," said Damon Oliver, Threatened Species officer from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. "This ground-dwelling bird was once distributed over a larger area from Inverell in the north to the Hunter Valley in the east. It is still also found in the Victorian mallee, West Wyalong and at Yathong in NSW."

The Malleefowl is an unusual bird, it is a mound-builder, the male digs a large incubation mound to attract its potential mates. Eggs are buried in the mound and tended by the male who tests the temperature of its mound with its beak. Upon hatching time, the male quickly chases the chicks away from the nest to fend for themselves.

"Experts agree that this is where the troubles begin for the little Malleefowl chick," said David. "It can’t fly as well as an adult, so they rely on quietness and camouflage to survive. They can be very hard to see hiding in low bushes. However studies at Yathong have showed that their natural defences aren’t good enough against the fox; the survival rate of young birds where there are foxes can be zero. Foxes also dig up the eggs but adult birds roost in trees and are much harder to catch".

The numbers of Malleefowl remain at a critically low level in Goonoo. Efforts to control foxes in this area have not been effective enough.

Ironically, Malleefowl are captive bred at the Western Plains Zoo, just half an hour away from Goonoo. The birds bred here are released at Yathong, several hours drive to the west of Dubbo. The re-introduction program there has had some success with the Malleefowl increasing in numbers. "98 have been released and survived so far this year," said Phil Cameron from the Western Plains Zoo today.

"The Malleefowl needs this assistance in Goonoo. There are probably no more than 20 birds. Such a move would assist the conservation of a highly endangered population of the Malleefowl and give the Dubbo region an increased focus for local tourism to take advantage of a growing market for our natural heritage", said David.

"The National Parks Association supports the protection of Goonoo as a national park to guarantee the survival of the Malleefowl along with other threatened birds such as the Regent Honeyeater and Glossy Black Cockatoo. Goonoo is actually a sanctuary for nearly all the variety of wildlife in the central west region."

"Imagine a Goonoo free from future charcoal schemes and Dubbo associated with the conservation of this unique bird," said David.

Contact: David Paull, 02 68850504 or 04 28601013

| National Parks Association of NSW | NPA Western Woodlands Index |