Conservation Status
This species has a very small population and is on the verge of extinction in the wild. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. The current wild population is estimated at under 50 individuals, with a further 208 birds in captive breeding programs. Recent modelling suggests that on current trends the species will become extinct in the wild within five years.
In May 2011, 10 individuals were captured and transferred by aircraft from Tasmania to Healesville Sanctuary near Melbourne in a last-ditch effort to save the species from extinction. It is hoped that the new additions from the wild will improve the genetic diversity of the 80 birds at Healesville Sanctuary, which are all descended from three pairs. Captive populations in Hobart and Adelaide are also important to the aim of releasing captive bred birds back to the wild.
Read more about this topic: Orange-bellied Parrot
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