CANADA: Queensland conservationists are establishing a secret reserve to protect the elusive night parrot, thought to be extinct 100 years ago.
IMAGES of the small, ground-dwelling, green and gold bird were snapped in 2013, in a discovery researchers described as “the find of the century”.
After combing the bush for 18 months, conservation group Bush Heritage Australia captured and tagged a bird in April.
They are now establishing a 56,000 hectare reserve at a secret location in Queensland’s west to keep the precious bird safe from feral cats and poachers.
“This species and their eggs could potentially attract large amounts of money on the black market,” said Jim Radford, Bush Heritage Australia’s science and research manager.
Scientists say the bird was “very common” in the 1800s until the introduction of feral animals almost wiped it out.
There were no confirmed reports for 67 years, and only fleeting sightings in the past few decades.
That was until wildlife photographer John Young took a photo and video two years ago, sending the conservation community into a frenzy.
“In many ways it was the find of the century,” Dr Radford said.
“So little is known about it … we don’t even know its weight.”
The inconspicuous parrots only live in spinifex of a certain height and density, emerging only at night to forage.
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