Released 30/01/2020
Twenty-six endangered eastern bettongs have been relocated from the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to secure facilities at Mt Rothwell in Victoria.
The eastern bettongs, which are part of Tidbinbilla’s threatened species recovery program, were evacuated by ADF aircraft to escape the Orroral Valley fire continuing to travel west towards Tidbinbilla.
Efforts are also being made to safeguard other animals in Tidbinbilla’s threatened species recovery program.
Two critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies and two yellow-footed rock wallabies, which require ongoing care, are being transferred to Taronga Zoo. More brush-tailed rock wallabies will be relocated from Tidbinbilla to Mt Rothwell by ADF aircraft.
A small population of critical breeding Northern Corrobboree Frogs and Tidbinbilla’s captive koalas have also been transferred to purpose-built facilities at the Australian National University. This follows the successful relocation of seven platypus from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to Taronga Zoo at the end of December.
Suitable habitat and expert care were critical factors in deciding to move all animals away from Tidbinbilla. Animals will remain at their relocated facilities until conditions allow their safe return.
Bushfire preparations are now being undertaken at Tidbinbilla to make the area safer for remaining animals. This includes fuel reduction burns, installation of containment lines, removal of vegetation around key enclosures and the installation of sprinkler systems in holding areas.
I extend a heartfelt thankyou to everyone to has helped to successfully relocate Tidbinbilla’s threatened animals and the Australian Defence Force who has helped to enable the operations. I look forward to their safe return to the nature reserve.
Eastern bettongs at Tidbinbilla are part of our efforts to re-establish populations on mainland Australia. They were brought to the ACT from wild populations in Tasmania in 2011, ending over a century of the species extinction from the Canberra region.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases