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They are captive,
If I remember rightly most of the original magpie geese
were pinioned, so the birds can never fly. Some of the birds wings were
clipped and regrew but they hung with their buddies. As a flocking species they
dont really have anywhere to go. Before the fires there were 21 or 22, now
there are 21 or 22.
The wetlands area was not very affected by the fires
and the waterbirds were OK.
The musk ducks are also captive.
Most other birds are not captive and introduced
themselves and can fly in and out.
The closest I know of magpie geese is the SE corner of
Qld which is nowhere near here. Over the years development and draining of
wetlands presumably were the reason for the magpie geese
distribution contracting northwards greatly. They used to occur quite far
south.
The rangers saying they are not captive is really based
on technicalities to apease tourists but in reality they
are.
Benj Whitworth
That is intriguing. I wonder whether any other the
former captive Magpie Geese there, survived the fire (they were breeding there
before that). If not and new ones have not been brought in, could any new birds
there be of wild origin?
Philip
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