A RESEARCH trial has seen eight critically endangered Plains-wanderers released into the Northern Plains of Victoria.
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The birds were bred at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo and Taronga Zoo Sydney and their release is part of the National Recovery Program to help bolster wild populations.
Wild populations of Plains-wanderers have drppped by more than 90 per cent over the past 20 years. It is estimated less than 1000 remain in their habitats - Victoria's Northern Plains and NSW's Riverina region.
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The research trial is a collaboration between the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Zoos Victoria, the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).
Taronga chief executive Cameron Kerr said the release was a momentous milestone for the teams.
"Taronga has been involved in the National Recovery Program for the Plains-wanderer since it commenced in 2016," he said. "To have zoo-bred birds being released within five years of the program commencing demonstrates the important role that zoos are playing in securing a future for species under threat of extinction."
Prior to leaving Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the birds underwent a pre-release health check to ensure they were all in optimum condition for release into the wild.
It is the second release of Plains-wanderers into this area of Victoria with eight birds from Werribee Open Range Zoo released in April this year.
Prior to release, all eight Plains-wanderers were fitted with leg bands and radio transmitters to allow researchers to closely monitor and learn more about the birds.
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