The breeding program is a collaboration between a number of states, associations and organisations, and aims to restore the dwindling population of the bird. 

The 2016-17 season saw the release of 23 captive-bred parrots at Melaleuca in southern Tasmania, which supplemented the population and increased the chance of successful breeding. 

“Working with the national recovery team there is a major focus on boosting the wild population and this is being achieved by releasing higher numbers of captive bred birds in to the wild to try and increase the potential breeding opportunities of the species,” a Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson said. 

“In addition to the direct management of the birds there are a range of other initiatives being undertaken by Departmental officers working as part of national recovery efforts and these include provision and maintenance of artificial nesting boxes, supplementary feeding and mitigation of predator and disease threats as well as … on-ground monitoring.”

The season did have its ups and downs, with the confirmation of several deaths of the critically endangered parrot early in 2017.

Managing such a sparse population remains a challenge, the spokesman said.

“When numbers are low, any mortality event can have significant impacts,” he said.

“Following a number of mortalities in January, testing identified that 11 deceased adults and five deceased juveniles had the pseudomonas bacteria present.”

Orange-bellied parrot populations have been steadily decreasing since the 1920’s, and there is believed to be less than 70 remaining in the wild. At the start of the 2016-17 breeding season 17 wild birds returned to Melaleuca for breeding. 

“The species migrates to Tasmania to breed in Spring … In autumn, they return to the coastal southern areas of the mainland,” the spokesman said.

“While there is currently a strong captive population housed in institutions around the country, there is concern over numbers in the wild and the species is recognised as one of the most threatened birds in Australia.”

Captive breeding populations around the country are trying to ensure the species survival.

“The captive population has grown considerably over recent years, increasing from 196 birds nationally in 2012, to 366 in 2017,” the spokesman said. 

“Tasmania houses the majority of the captive population with 161 maintained in Tasmanian facilities.”