From: Martin on 06/03/2000 11:38 AM
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cc:
Subject: Apostlebirds - status in Victoria (Aust.)
David Geering noted the decline of Apostlebirds in Victoria in his posting about
the species in NSW. For the information of list members the following may be of
interest.
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has assessed a nomination of Apostlebird
to the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act which is the state's main
biodiversity legislation, and recommended that the Apostlebird be listed as
threatened in Victoria. The committee's recommendation report (in prep.) says
in part the following:
"Regional extinctions have already occurred for Apostlebirds in Victoria. In
the two remaining areas where the species is found (north-west and north-east
Victoria), major habitat clearance has reduced those populations such that one
of them now consists of only 12 groups. Historically Apostlebirds also occurred
in central, south-western and north-central regions of Victoria and in Gunbower
Forest. The species is no longer found at these locations and is now confined
to the Murray River in two separate regions of the state."
I would be interested to hear what observers believe the situation is for the
species in other eastern states. Note that due in part to information provided
by list members last year the committee has been able to make a more informed
decision on the conservation status of Apostlebirds in Victoria.
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer - Scientific Advisory Committee
Parks Flora and Fauna Division
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde.,
East Melbourne 3002
AUSTRALIA
Tel: 9412 4567
Fax: 9412 4586
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
email:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit the Biodiversity section of the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment at:
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/conserv/biodiver.htm
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