I don't recall this news item getting a guernsey on BAus, so apologies
if I'm repeating someone else's post.
The SMH ran an item the other day http://www.smh.com.au/news/conservation/curlew-lays-worldfirst-egg/2008/07/15/1215887613987.html
to the effect that Beach Thickknees hand-raised at the Darwin
wildlife park had mated and laid an egg - a world first it was claimed.
For some reason, the online version of the article had a picture of
the BeTK's Bush namesake, which is a bit rough seeing the two species
belong to different genuses. The article claimed that BeTKs "only
lived and nested in areas with the right balance of mangroves, sand
and rocks". This is interesting in that I have seen them loitering
amongst the sand dunes on the surf side of Moreton Island - a fair way
from any rocks or mangroves.
The stated benefit of this captive breeding program is it allows
'scientists to learn more about the curlew's breeding biology as well
as their diet analysis and "quirky characteristics"' and to 'study
their lifestyle and responses to predators to ensure future survival
of the species'.
Regards, Laurie.
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