LITTLE
EAGLE DECLARED A VULNERABLE SPECIES
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope today announced that the Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) had been declared
a vulnerable species.
The Little Eagle has been recorded in the northern half of the ACT and along
the river corridors of the Tablelands area of NSW. Records kept by the Canberra
Ornithologists’ Group show that annual sightings of the Little Eagle
roughly halved between 1985 and 2006. This decline resulted in the Group
nominating the species for declaration as a vulnerable species under ACT
legislation.
“Declaration is formal acknowledgment that the Little Eagle is vulnerable
to the threat of extinction,” Mr Stanhope said today. “It
obliges the Conservator of Flora and Fauna to develop an Action Plan outlining
proposed conservation measures for the species.
The Little Eagle is found in woodland, forested land and open country. It seeks
out its prey — rabbits, other mammals and inspects — on the wing or
from a high perch and nests in mature living trees.
The Little Eagle is distinguished by having heavily feathered legs. The
Wedgetailed eagle is the only other Australian raptor with this characteristic.
“The Little Eagle is already recognised as a species of concern and its
habitat needs have been recognised in planning for the proposed Molonglo urban
development,” Mr Stanhope said today. “The declaration of the
Little Eagle as a vulnerable species will allow for adequate consideration of
the protection of the species in habitats in the <?xml:namespace prefix =
st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Molonglo Valley.
“Collaboration between Environment and Recreation (Research and
Monitoring) and the Canberra Ornithologists Group will ensure that appropriate
monitoring programs are in place.
“I hope that by declaring the Little Eagle as a vulnerable species that
we can help ensure that it receives the protection it deserves in the
ACT.”
Statement Ends
Media
Contact: Penelope Layland 6205
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