The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has supported efforts to raise awareness of and conserve NSWs Coastal Emu in the past. Theres been some good news for these unique birds this year! Each year in September, teams of volunteers count emus on the NSW North Coast. The survey targets Yuraygir National Park and villages, Bundjalung National Park, and Bungawalbin National Park and surrounds including Main Camp. This year a total of 85 emus were recorded, 44 south of the Clarence River and 41 in the Bungawalbin area north of the Clarence River. No emus have been recorded in Bundjalung National Park since 2009, and this subpopulation was considered locally extinct. However, this year five emu chicks were sighted in the Bungawalbin area! This reflects the efforts put in by landholders and NPWS to control wild dogs and feral pigs in the area. This is a promising result and hopefully a sign of better things to come for these emus. Survey coordinator NPWS Ranger Gina Hart said, “We cant get an exact estimate given the mobile nature of these birds, but by undertaking regular surveys focusing on seasonal foraging hotspots, we can monitor any drastic changes in numbers and range. We also pick up information on vertebrate pest activity, seasonal corridors and potential threats.”
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:31:17 +0000
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