ISSUE 4 2009

a 261.9 acre sanctuary in New South Wales; Trish Brown’s 71.66 acre Preston Park near Perth in Western Australia; Caron Isaac’s 6.4 acre Caron’s Refuge in Queensland; Olive and Reginald Waltham’s The Maples, a 171.26 sanctuary in north Queensland; Noreen and Elaine Kewin’s 348.67 acre Greene Dale sanctuary in Queensland; Ross and Nicole Bartlett’s 102 acre Melaleuca on the south coast of New South Wales; David and Suzanne Alder’s 122.3 acre Brynmawr sanctuary in NSW; Baids McIntyre’s 121.08 acre Chough’s Roost in NSW; and Kathleen Verrier’s 0.5 acre Kathleen’s Refuge in WA.

As in previous “Wildlife Lands”, we bring you some messages and thoughts from Wildlife Land Trust members, talking about their sanctuaries and joining the Trust. We would love to hear from other members who would like to say a few words.

WildlifELANDS

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THE NEWSLETTER OF HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL’S

WildlifE lANd TRUST

OwnersMessages fromWlT SANcTUARy OWNERSWelcome to the fourth edition of “Wildlife Lands”. Since we spoke to you last, WLT staff have had the great pleasure of visiting a number of Trust members in New South Wales, Indonesia and in South Africa. It is our fervent hope that we can get out to see some of you in other regions during the coming year.

To meet and talk to such dedicated people and see some wonderful sanctuaries has been a very special experience. We have otherwise been keeping in touch through e-mails and the mail, including newsletters from our colleagues overseas. We are hoping to improve our contact with you through new and regular WLT e-newsletters and to revive other electronic communication methods.

We hope you will enjoy the contents of this issue, and certainly invite any Trust members to contribute stories and news at any time they want. You will see an updated map and table of current WLT members on page 4 and an article about HSI’s new “Humane Choice” food label, and our desire to have farmers both considering this new venture and joining the Wildlife Land Trust.

Including our three sanctuaries in Indonesia and South Africa, 40 WLT sanctuaries have now been established through this office, with some 150 sanctuaries globally in eight countries covering over 1.8 million acres.

We would like to welcome the following new WLT members to our growing partnership: Bill Chalmers and Linda Dening’s243 acre Jigalong in New South Wales; David and Diane Armbrust’s 8.25 acre Thylogale Nature Refuge in north Queensland; Garth Dixon and Barry Moore’s Ooyella,

Diamond python by Michael Bland.

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Owners

Jindawarra

Talawanta

lyn and david Grimes “Jindawarra” Queensland

Lyn has been a registered wildlife carer since 1984 but has cared for sick and injured animals since the age of 6. At Lyn’s request, the Council in her area took out Land for Wildlife membership, and they have been members ever since. Their property Jindawarra in Queensland is 2068 acres of dry eucalyptus forest featuring narrow leaf ironbark and spotted gums with water available in creeks and waterholes. There is also a waterfall, a geological rarity in the area, overlooking some relatively inaccessible rainforest vegetation. Lyn and David Grimes have abundant wildlife on the property, including rock-wallabies.

Messages fromWlT SANcTUARy OWNERS

I hope to bring a balanced view between the need for wildlife conservation and the unavoidable fact that the world needs well run, sustainable farms that provide the food and fibre for our growing urban populations.

Talawanta runs a grain and cattle operation, but also dispersed across the farm is a huge array of wildlife, from wallaroos, wallabies and kangaroos to finches, quails and wedgetail eagles. I believe becoming a member of the WLT will help me better understand the biodiversity on our property and in turn help me in better managing the wildlife, both native and feral.

I would also like to educate other farmers to the benefits of wildlife conservation, and maybe bring them into the WLT family, as farmers are the largest landholders in Australia, and can play a very important roll in conserving and managing wildlife.

James Badgery “Talawanta” New South Wales

I live at Talawanta Willow Tree, a family-owned property in the North West of NSW. I grew up on the farm, and then went to Sydney for 17 years for high school, uni and work. It was while in Sydney that I became involved in the wildlife movement and was active in many wildlife societies (especially SAVE Endangered African Wildlife). I found it easy to be green in Sydney, to expect people to stop land clearing, hunting or logging. I did not care if they lost their jobs as long as the forest was saved.

But once I returned home to the farm, got married and had a family my priorities changed. Suddenly I became more concerned with paying the bills and having sleepless nights than trying to save the world. I was now also on the other side of the environmental equation; I was that farmer whose land had been cleared, who had used herbicides to kill weeds and had cattle belching methane.

It has been 20 years since returning to Talawanta and I have turned the full circle. I have seen both sides of the environ-mental debate, and this is why I have joined the WLT.

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George Sives “George’s Refuge” Queensland

I have 40 acres of open country, with three dams in the front paddock and one dam in the river paddock with 17 steers on it. There is ironbark in the front paddock and narrow leaf and silver leaf in the riverside sandy loam soil with granite rock in front. I became a WLT member because I love all animals and always have had something. I even love most spiders, not redbacks, like most snakes but not browns and all birds, even crows. I would have been a vet if smart enough.

WoorinyaniSleepy B

George’s Refuge

donna Stepan “Sleepy Burrows” New South Wales

Sleepy Burrows (hardly!!!) is a wildlife sanctuary which we bought to expand on our wildlife caring work. We specialise in rehabilitating and releasing injured and orphaned wombats, which are microchipped before release and monitored to determine success rates, movements, territories, etc.

It is a beautiful part of the world nestled on top of the Lake George escarpment outside of Canberra, and was chosen as it is quiet, with no major roads, and untouched virgin bush which we plan to maintain and protect. There is a very healthy natural wombat population along with abundant wildlife of all types and species.

Eileen Hogan “Woorinyani” Queensland

HSI has been very special for many years, so when the opportunity to join the WLT emerged, I saw a chance to hopefully conserve my land beyond my sojourn on this earth. My fervent hope is that one day through WLT my very precious bit of land might be able to be given permanent legally binding protected status. In the meantime, there is a certain comfort in knowing that I am in the company of like minded caring people.

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SantuariesThe WLT network of sanctuaries is steadily growing. We now have 40 members Australia-wide, as well as bringing on board two refuges in Indonesia and one in South Africa, protecting a total of 28,793 acres of habitat.

We hope that many more are on their way, including further international partners. The table opposite and map below list the sanctuary names, general location and size.

lANd TRUST SANCTUARIES

Wildlife

WildlifELANDSISSUE 4 2009

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Size (acres)

45.998.25

171.26100

206840

270348.6733.11

192.7440276.474

5521046.5

121.084942600

80.31190

122.3261.9200243330240300

98.84150102

12.349.88

111.1228

24.71

120

71.660.5

1482612.85

3.7

Sanctuary Name

Licuala Rainforest Refuge and Wildlife Rescue Centre Thylogale Nature RefugeThe MaplesThe RoostJindawarraGeorge’s RefugeOakview Wildlife RefugeGreene DaleMount Monty Rainforest Nature RefugeCoolarooghBurru Wildlife RefugeWamuran Nature RefugeCaron’s RefugeWoorinyan

RousGlen EdenAndelaine SanctuaryChough’s RoostTalawantaCurricabarkDianella Cedar Creek Wildlife RefugeBrynmawrOoyellaSleepy BurrowsJigalongBrindabella Wildlife and Wilderness ReserveThe Funny FarmWarriwillahMichelago Wildlife SanctuaryJaloranMelaleuca

Corringle CottageGolden WattleWindabandiFishers

Lyn & Geoff’s Refuge

Monteith Sanctuary

Preston ParkKathleen’s Refuge

SanWild Wildlife TrustFNPF Nusa Penida Bird SanctuaryNusa Penida Bird Sanctuary

location

Cape KimberleyJulatten Millaa MillaaDeepwaterGayndah KingaroyOakviewGlastonburyVia GympieCoolabineDelaneys CreekWamuran Hatton ValeMoogerah

Rous MillTorringtonTintinhull TamworthTalawantaCurricabarkMartin CreekCedar CreekLithgowCurrawang GundarooTomboye BrindabellaBrindabellaMichelagoMichelagoNumeralla Wamban

Newmerella JumbunnaTarwin Lower Meredith

Lachlan

Tailem Bend

North Preston BeachWellard

Limpopo Province, South AfricaNusa Penida, IndonesiaNusa Penida, Indonesia

Map #

1234567891011121314

151617181920212223242526272829303132

33343536

37

38

3940

Queensland

New South Wales

Victoria

Tasmania

South Australia

Western Australia

International

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In 2006, HSI launched one of the most important initiatives in decades to improve the welfare standards for farm animals across Australia.

The absence of national standards has resulted in “free-range” becoming a casually used term that can apply to animals raised under a range of different conditions. Humane Choice was born out of a desire for a truthful and accredited label for meat and animal products that guarantees the animal has been treated with respect and care over the entire course of its life.

Administered by HSI and independently audited by AUS-QUAL, Humane Choice certification ensures the highest standards of animal welfare, and guarantees that the animals are truly free-range. They are uncaged and untethered, and can roam freely around their paddocks and enjoy the company of their herd or flock. They are able to exhibit their natural mating and rearing behaviours, are fed a nutritious diet that is free of antibiotics, growth promoters or hormones, and receive immediate veterinary care if sick or injured. Humane Choice standards also ensure that transportation times for animals are minimal and that abattoirs are inspected to safeguard their welfare. No mutilation procedures such as mulesing, tail docking or beak trimming are allowed.

Humane farming practices are not only better for the animals, but are also better for the local and global environment. Allowing pastures to recover by having free-ranging livestock enables carbon from the atmosphere to be stored in the grasses and soils. Feeding on healthier grass that is permitted to regenerate also decreases the amount of methane produced by cattle during digestion by up to 20%, contributing significantly to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, farmers and the landscape benefit from the reduced water demands of free-range farming.

Humane Choice accreditation has received a lot of interest from producers, retailers and consumers, and the scheme is continuing to expand. If you keep livestock on your property, no matter how big or small your farm, and are interested in becoming accredited with Humane Choice, HSI is keen to hear from you. Further information on Humane Choice standards, accreditation and certified product availability is on our website at http://www.humanechoice.com.au/

The Humane Choice label offers consumers the peace of mind to be sure that the meat and products they purchase are produced in a humane and sustainable manner. When it comes to animal welfare, there is only one humane choice. Many of our Humane Choice farmers are also considering joining the Wildlife Land Trust, a cross-over of programs that we are vigorously encouraging.

HumaneA HUMANE cHOicE FOR FARM ANIMALS PrestonPreston

PARK

I became a member of the Humane Society International 2 years ago and this is how I learned about the Wildlife Land Trust and the great bunch of devoted staff and management when I decided to register my property. This was finalised in March this year 2009.

Due to the fact that I have been informed by the “Trust” that I am the first Western Australian to register I was also asked if I could tell my story. This is how and when my story begins.

I purchased this 70 acre property over 18 years ago and named it “Preston Park” because of its close proximity to Lake Preston on the swan coastal plain 60 kilometres south of Mandurah.

I couldn’t believe my luck in finding it because it abuts the Yalgorup National Park on one side and is about 2 kilometres from the ocean. It was perfect for what I wanted because I am a voluntary wildlife carer.

It is also in a region which is recognised as one of the world’s 34 global “biodiversity hot-spots” and is therefore an important conservation area. This coastal strip of land with its chain of lakes that spreads between Mandurah and Bunbury is also protected by the “Ramsar Convention Agreement”.

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PrestonPark

Other animals and birds include western grey roos, black glove wallabies, brushtail, ringtail and pygmy possumns, bandicoots, native mice and rats, an array of snakes including pythons, goannas and lizards. The bird species fluctuate by the seasons: blue wrens, three species of robins, fantails, willy wagtails, treecreepers, honeyeaters, magpies, crows, doves, quail, pidgeons, emus and my permanent residents — welcome swallows and three wayward peacocks (which I raised from chicks). Galahs come and go. A migratory part-time resident is the beautiful rainbow bee-eater which arrives in flocks, digs its nesting tunnel (half a metre long) into the sides of hills, lays its eggs and four months later departs with its offspring to who knows where.

White tailed black cockatoos and their young are becoming permanent (the Baudin Species is protected) due to the fresh water available and they drink and bathe twice a day in the dams, sleep in the tuarts and take off each morning screeching their way to pine plantations in the area to feed on the pine cone nuts.

Would I want to live anywhere else? Not on your nelly!!

Trish Brown

About 80% of my sanctuary is elevated land covered with native peppermint trees (perfect for possums). The gentler slopes and flats contain large areas of grass trees and enormous tuart trees which are both protected. There are also sections of dense natural bush that has not been cleared. I have revegetated a cleared area by planting over 1500 varieties of eucalypts.

With 5 acres of paperbark swamp in the lowest area, I knew I would always find fresh water close to the surface. The swamp is also surrounded by native safari grass, perfect for bandicoots.

I contracted an excavator owner to clean out all the fresh water soaks and dig some decent dams close to the Yalgorup Park boundary. After living in a big old caravan for 12 months I bought an instant house (transportable) and had it trucked to site, fitted it out and finally converted it to solar power operated house for my power and water needs.

Over the years I have kept a record of the wildlife that moves between my sanctuary and the Yalgorup National Park, especially now that there is fresh water available. The dams have attracted a variety of ducks and water birds and I have found six species of frogs (some that are rarely seen).

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ProtectingProtectingTHREATENEd HABiTATS NATIONALLYThe Wildlife Land Trust’s mission of protecting wildlife habitat across Australia and internationally is complemented by a range of other habitat protection programs, including attempts to see State and Commonwealth conservation legislation effectively protect endangered places. Thus far, WLT/HSI efforts have been successful in obtaining legislative protection for nearly 5 million acres of threatened ecosystems. Two examples of places we are seeking protection for at this very moment are discussed below.

Tassie grasslands

Originally nominated for protection under the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 by HSI back in 2005, the Federal Government is finally approaching the final stages of deciding whether to list the Lowland Temperate Grasslands of Tasmania as an endangered ecological community. Listing would require review by the Common-wealth Minister of the Environment of potential “significant impacts” before any development was allowed to occur. Temperate native grasslands are recognised as one of the most threatened vegetation types in Australia, and those of Tasmania’s lowland are regarded as some of the most depleted and fragmented ecosystems. Although extending for 21600 hectares, the vast majority of patches (almost 98%) are less than 100 hectares in size, with 80% of patches less than 10 hectares.

Restricted to localised areas of northwest Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait, they are unlike many of the temperate

grasslands of south-eastern Australia, being home to a variety of animal species including small mammals, larger grazing animals, ground-dwelling birds and birds of prey, skinks, snakes and a diversity of invertebrates. These groups of animals use the grasslands for shelter, food and nesting, and many play an important role in maintaining the ongoing functions of the ecosystem. These include threatened species such as the spotted-tailed quoll, Tasmanian devil, eastern-barred bandicoot and Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle.

Land clearing, pasture improvement, weed invasion, feral animals, inappropriate grazing and fire regimes, urban expansion, and off-road vehicle disturbance have all taken a devastating toll on this habitat. Very little of this community is currently protected in national parks or any other conservation related land tenure. As the majority of its remaining extent is located on private property, national protection is its best chance for long term recovery and survival. A final decision on this nomination is expected by the end of 2009.

STOP PRESS: HSI has just learned that this nomination has been successful, protecting 21,600 hectares of this critically endangered habitat.

Mallee woodland

HSI is waiting to hear news of the NSW Government’s progress on our nomination to protect a critically endangered mallee community on the central-western slopes of NSW.

Nominated by HSI in 2007 for listing under the NSW Threat-ened Species Conservation Act, this naturally rare ecological community of bull mallee-white mallee tall woodland on red sand loams has undergone an extreme loss of cover since European settlement. Since that time, its extent has been reduced by up to 95% and it is estimated that approximately 100 hectares are all that remain of this community in NSW.

Although dominated by bull, white and red mallee, the community also has a sparse shrub layer, and ground cover dominated by forbs and grasses. However, unsustainable grazing and land clearing for agriculture have dissected the community into small highly fragmented stands. This has made it increasingly vulnerable to natural and man-made disturbances, and already, nine species of weed have been identified as having established in the community.

While the community is clearly in dire peril, it is considered that there is enough vegetation remaining to allow it to naturally revegetate, if grazing and land clearing pressures are removed. Despite its precarious status, this bull mallee-white mallee tall woodland is not known to occur in any national parks or conservation reserves, and HSI has therefore nominated all remaining remnants for protection across NSW.

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PartnershipsIn order to expand the scope of WLT’s influence and effectiveness for the benefit of wildlife, the Trust frequently shares funds, expertise and WLT’s humane philosophy with other organisations.

All WLT partnerships are rooted in our commitment to providing wildlife with safe places to live, forever, by assisting other organisations that share our concerns for wildlife and habitat. These partnerships include Vital Ground and the Northern Jaguar Project.

Vital Ground

Founded in 1990, Vital Ground is dedicated to reconnecting isolated fragments of wildlands important for grizzly recovery and biodiversity. As a small (but thriving!) land trust with a unique mission, the Missoula, Montana-based organisation is selective and strategic in the way it uses its financial resources and real-estate expertise to identify and protect parcels of private land crucial to grizzly bear survival.

Recognising the shared aspects of our missions, the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust has partnered with Vital Ground on a number of projects:

1. In 2008 the Wildlife Land Trust joined forces with Vital Ground and other organisations in the Darkwoods project, a 136,000 acre acquisition in southern British Columbia led by Nature Conservancy Canada.

2. In 2007 the Hager Ranch (4,354 acres) and Ingersoll Ranch (4,229 acres), conservation projects on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front in partnership with The Nature Conservancy of Montana, benefited from the combined resources of WLT and VG.

3. In 2005 Vital Ground, with the assistance of WLT, acquired an 80 acre conservation easement on “Coyote Forest” in Montana’s Swan Valley as well as a strategic five acre private holding within Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

The Northern Jaguar Project

The jaguar — solitary, powerful, beautiful — is the only true big (or “roaring”) cat in the Americas. This wide-ranging predator is the third largest cat in the world. To some it is a vicious threat to livestock, pets and even to ourselves. (This reputation is due in part to the jaguar feeding on carcasses of cattle that perish from any number of causes.) To others it is the umbrella species whose territory, when protected, protects a wide range of other species, including birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

The Northern Jaguar Project (NJP) was initiated by a group of conservationists in Tucson to preserve the core population of jaguars in the northern Sedona Desert and the southwestern United States. The NJP acquired land, through donation and purchase, to preserve jaguar habitat and migratory routes. The Northern Jaguar Reserve now covers 70 square miles of consistently rough, steep terrain, sculpted by hundreds of canyons and cliffs — ideal habitat for jaguars, lynx and mountain lions.

Another part of the project, Fotos Felinos, invites neighbouring ranchers to sign a pledge not to kill or permit others to kill wildlife on their properties, particularly large cats, and to permit NJP to place remote cameras on their ranches. Ranch owners then receive economic incentives for photos of wild cats.

The NJP continues to seek land to provide connectivity for the jaguar northward into Arizona and New Mexico. And it is working! Male jaguars have been photographed in southern Arizona.

But as the Wildlife Land Trust knows, acquiring land is only the first step to protecting wildlife and habitat. The continuing expenses of stewardship may not have the fundraising draw that initial acquisition holds, but without stewardship funds victories turn into losses and lives saved are once again endangered. That is why WLT joined the project in 2008 with support to establish a permanent stewardship fund. The Trust’s participation triggered a matching gift program that raised more than $100,000 towards insuring the permanence of the Northern Jaguar Reserve.

WlT PARTNERSHiPS IN THE USA

Jaguar © iStockphoto.com / Ken Klotz.

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ConservationThe Wildlife Land Trust, in conjunction with the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, the Paddy Pallin Foundation, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW and the Diversicon Environment Foundation, have instigated a second round of the “Private Conservation Grants Program” for properties within New South Wales that are covered by a perpetually binding conservation covenant. Administered by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, this program is designed, through the provision of funding from $500 up to $3,000, to enhance the conservation efforts of privately owned properties across the State.

Applications are received on an annual basis up till the end of June and programs up to three years will be considered based on a series of relevant criteria. With a total of $50,000 available for the management and improvement of biological diversity in 2009/2010, it is hoped that this fund will not only serve to protect and improve a significant amount of properties, but also encourage others to permanently protect their land with a binding agreement.

Grant applications for this year close on June 30th, 2009. Application forms can be accessed on line at<http://www.fnpw.org.au/Funding/SmallGrantsProgramApp.htm>

PrivatecONSERVATiON GRANTS PROGRAM IN NSW

SanctuaryNews fromSANWild WildlifE SANCTUARYWildlife Land Trust and HSI Director Verna Simpson recently visited our friends at the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, a member of the Trust network.

Verna was able to see their marvelous work in rehabilitating injured threatened species and effectively managing the 15,000 acre property.

Louise Joubert runs the Sanctuary with her husband Andre Grobler. The photo here shows Verna and Louise (on the left) keeping the company of a family of meerkats and the family dog!

We have put together a portfolio of photos for you to view at: http://hsi.org.au/index.php?catID=463. If you would like to visit and stay at the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary, please go to their website at www.sanwild.org.

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ConservationThe WLT’s Dani Annese recently attended the Australian Network for Plant Conservation’s national forum discussing conservation on private lands, held in the surrounds of Victoria’s beautiful Grampians National Park. Presentations from land managers, farmers, ecologists, rural landholders, government representatives and conservation management networks all pointed to the same conclusion — conservation on private lands has never been more important to protect Australia’s unique wildlife and ecosystems — particularly as the threats associated with climate change loom larger than ever. It was also a great opportunity to tell others from around Australia about the WLT and its goals and activities.

With one of the worst records for mammal extinctions and near extinctions of any developed country, Australia is in the grip of a biodiversity crisis.

There is now a clear correlation between the degree of continuing urban and industrial development, and the degree of threat to our wildlife. Australia has one of the richest assemblages of endemic species on earth, yet a mere 11.5% of Australia’s landmass has some form of security as a protected area. This leaves vast swathes of land open to unsustainable land use practices and ubiquitous habitat clearing that are causing plant and animal species to become vulnerable at unprecedented rates.

By preserving habitats on private lands, and in many cases revegetating previously cleared areas, WLT members are an integral part of the solution to this nation-wide problem. Dani made many new friends for the WLT at the conference, and we look forward to working with a range of like-minded organisations over the coming months and years.

Conservation onPRiVATE lANdS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

WildlifELANDSISSUE 4 2009

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Sanctuary

MissionGoals

JoinOur Mission:

Wildlife Land Trust Australia protects wildlife by preserving natural habitats and permanent sanctuaries.

Our Goals:

To see the protection of one million acres of wildlife habitat across Australia in the Wildlife Land Trust sanctuary network.

To seek the expansion of Wildlife Land Trust sanctuary partnerships throughout Africa, India and south-east Asia.

Wildlife Land TrustPO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 AustraliaTelephone +61 2 9973 1728 Facsimile +61 2 9973 1729Email wlt@hsi.org.auwww.hsi.org.auwww.wildlifelandtrust.org

Become part of a national and international wildlife sanctuary network!

How to join the Wildlife land TrustThe WLT site at www.wlt.org provides details of the Trust’s international activities, while our own recently revamped site at www.hsi.org.au provides information on the Australian WLT program (click on Wildlife Land Trust on left of front page or in the Feature Campaigns box). If you would like to register your property with the WLT, you can access a downloadable PDF “expression of interest form” or a full “application form” on the website, which can then be sent directly to us in Sydney.

Joining the WLT starts with a non-binding ‘letter of agreement’ which spells out our joint commitment to protecting wildlife on your sanctuary, followed by a certificate of membership, regular newsletters and news items, signs for your property and further advice on stronger protection methods for your property if you require it.

We will endeavour to provide answers to questions and queries about managing your sanctuary for the benefit of all wildlife, and to facilitate communication between sanctuary owners and managers. Your sanctuary will also be featured on the members’ page of the WLT website and in the Australian WLT newsletters, enabling you to share with a like-minded network of worldwide sanctuary owners, the important conservation work you are undertaking for wildlife and habitats in Australia.

Joining the WLT is entirely voluntary, with no legal obligations or costs involved. It is designed to complement any existing or future agreements you might enter into to protect your land and we very much hope that this new initiative will be attractive to you.

If you would like to talk about this invitation directly, please call Michael Kennedy on 1800 333 737 or email him at michael@hsi.org.au

News fromNUSA PENidA BIRd SANCTUARY

By Drh I. G. N. Bayu Wirayudha — Director, Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF)

The bird release and protection program enters its sixth year and has been well-received by the people of Nusa Penida (an island a short distance south-east of Bali), given their enthusiasm and comm-itment for FNPF’s land rehabilitation and reforestation program. The two Wildlife Land Trust sanctuaries in the Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary, managed by FNPF, also form an important part of the bird release program.

The goal of the observations of the Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), undertaken in co-operation with the Begawan Foundation, was to establish

how far this bird had spread around Nusa Penida and to monitor its breeding in the wild. In January two chicks were hatched in an area around the FNPF office at Ped. In February seven chicks were hatched; six around Ped on the north coast and one at the village of Saren in the southwest of Nusa Penida.

With nine chicks being hatched in the wild, the total number of Bali Starling chicks hatched in the wild, since the inception of the program in 2006, is 58. On 19 February 2009 three Moustached Parakeets (Psittacula alexandri), donated by PT. Anak Burung Tropicana, were

released in the surroundings of the FNPFoffice at Bodong, near the village of Ped. It was a “soft release”, which means the birds were still given enough food in the vicinity of their release where other para-keets were still kept in captivity. As the photo shows, two further Moustached Parakeets were released by WLT Director Michael Kennedy when he visited Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary in March, a job he very much enjoyed!