The Program Focus 

This program aims to restore the Orange-bellied Parrot to the wild through captive breeding and release coupled with habitat management and restoration. The Recovery Team’s vision is:

‘To be able to see large flocks of Orange-bellied Parrots throughout its natural range and to ensure that human impacts no longer place the species under threat of extinction.’

The Program Plan

The specific recovery objectives as outlined in the Recovery Plan (2005–2009) are to:

1. Monitor the population size, productivity, survival and life history of the Orange-bellied Parrot.*
2. Identify and document all sites used by Orange-bellied Parrots.
3. Increase the carrying capacity of habitat through active management of sites throughout the species' range.
4. Identify and measure threats, particularly in migratory and winter habitats.
5. Increase the number of breeding sub-populations.
6. Maintain a viable captive population.*
7. Foster community support and involvement in the conservation and recovery of the species and its habitat.*
8. Secure adequate funding and support to successfully implement the Recovery Plan.*
9. Manage, review and report on the recovery process.*

*These objectives are the key areas that Healesville Sanctuary focuses on.

Zoos Victoria's Role

Zoos Victoria's key roles in the recovery of this species are to:

1. Supplement in situ populations through captive breeding for reintroduction.
2. In the event that the wild population continues to decline, maintain an insurance population in captivity.

Specifically, Zoos Victoria is involved in the captive breeding for release and also helps with the translocation and reintroduction of captive-bred birds in Tasmania.