46 rare honeyeaters released into wild as breeding program advances
Forty-six regent honeyeaters bred at Taronga Zoo have been released into the wild as part of a national recovery program.
Almost 50 regent honeyeaters raised at Taronga Zoo were released into native woodland near Kurri Kurri. This is the fifth year of releases at this site near Wonnarua Country as part of a national effort to save the species from extinction.
Only about 300 birds remain in the wild across Australia. Before release, the birds go through song tutoring.
They learn the calls they need to communicate and find mates in the wild. The site has the right habitat and food sources.
Taronga's team genetically pairs birds during breeding season. Young birds are kept in mixed-species areas to prepare them for life outdoors.
BirdLife Australia will monitor the birds to track survival, movements and breeding success. Citizen scientists are needed to report sightings.
- 300
- Birds remaining in wild
- 46
- Released this year
- Mick Roderick
- Recovery adviser
- Kurri Kurri
- Release location
Why it mattersThe species faces extinction with fewer than 300 left in the wild. This coordinated breeding and release effort is essential to restore populations.
AustraliaAustralia is leading global conservation work on this endemic species, and community involvement through reporting sightings helps scientists understand how the birds are surviving.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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