Plea to drivers as rare species makes return to Aussie island after 50 years
For the first time in nearly 50 years, bush stone-curlew birds have been heard chirping on Victoria's Philip Island after scientists released a small number back in August, and again in April. Continued efforts are in place today with Australian National University PhD researcher Paula Wasiak, fellow researchers and volunteers, desperately trying to reintroduce and boost the population that was described as "functionally extinct" in the area.
The bush stone-curlew population suffered a drastic loss due to fox predation. However, after the island was declared fox-free in 2017 after 25 years of removal efforts, cars are now recognised as the "number one cause of mortality" to the birds, with several already being killed due to vehicle collisions in the last few months.
"We currently have 22 birds at the moment, but we have had some fatalities due to road strikes," Paula Wasiak told Yahoo News this week. "People need to be aware of wildlife on the roads, particularly at night. It's not just the curlews that are out and about. Slowing down can help hugely... there's a mix of roads with and without lights."
Driving behaviour can make all the difference, expert urges
Wasiak, who has been a Philip Island resident for 16 years, said driving behaviour will make the world of difference in their conservation efforts with the native birds. The initiative has been widely regarded a success with a 75 per cent survival rate. Vehicle collisions have accounted for the other 25 per cent.
"The birds we've introduced so far have been captive bred, so they may not respond how we may think a bird will respond to a vehicle," Wasiak explained. "They may not initially perceive a vehicle as a threat."
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Simply slowing down on the road, reporting roadside sightings, or any road collisions, will make a huge difference in closing the gap between those birds that are thriving, and those being killed.
"We want to learn how they can live among us... We know how to introduce these birds within a fenced haven, but we now want to take this information and bring it to the urban environment of the island."
Success story hopes to pave way for more conservation efforts
The unfolding situation on Philip Island will hopefully pave the way for more conversation efforts of other dying native species.
"Bush stone-curlews are critically endangered," Wasiak stressed. "They're pretty much functionally extinct, so introducing these again will hopefully create a stronghold for the species."
She said the model they are using could be used for future reproduction efforts. "That's really the crux of it," she said. "We want to reintroduce so we can coexist with vulnerable species again.
"Making sure our cats remain on our property, making sure that we follow any sort of pet containment laws that keep our dogs on leads. That can really reduce the impact on our native wildlife."
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