Contribution of captive management of Orange-bellied parrots to the recovery programme for the species in Australia

The Orange-bellied parrot Neophema chrysogaster overwinters on the Australian mainland and breeds on Tasmania, more than 200 km away. The Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team, established in 1983, guides and initiates conservation measures to protect this threatened species and its natural habitat. The first captive-breeding programme for the species was established near Hobart and the second was at Healesville Sanctuary. The aim is to breed Orange-bellied parrots, retaining as much genetic heterozygosity as possible, for release into the wild and to study the species to obtain biological data. At Hobart between three and 37 young have been reared to independence annually and at Healesville between two and 36 annually. Health issues which affect this species, such as parrot beak and feather disease and zinc toxicity, are addressed. Details about techniques for successful reintroduction of captive-bred parrots and the subsequent monitoring of the released birds are also described. Between 1991 and 1996 68 birds have been reintroduced. © 2017 Wiley. All rights reserved.