More than a quarter of the breeding range for one of the world’s rarest birds has been disturbed, degraded or deforested in Tasmania since 2000, new research has revealed.
Scientists from Australian National University have found that critically endangered swift parrots could be reduced to fewer than 50 birds within six years if urgent action isn’t taken.
The study, published in journal Scientific Reports, examined maps of east and southeast Tasmania – the only places worldwide where swift parrots breed – concluding that current forestry regulations are inadequate to prevent their decline.
Lead researcher Giselle Owens said the situation demands immediate attention.
“The sheer magnitude of it is stark,” she said.
“The Australian government has committed to avert its extinction, as well as tackling forest degradation, so [our research] points to an urgent need to reform how we manage our forests.”
The analysis revealed that 37% of the swift parrot’s breeding range had already been permanently deforested before 2000, meaning more than half its breeding habitat has now been lost.
Researchers found forest degradation was occurring at 6.5 times the rate of deforestation, with forestry identified as the primary human driver.
Alarmingly, important breeding areas are being impacted at double the rate of other Australian forests, with the situation worsening after regulatory reforms in 2014.
The research says that for swift parrots to avoid extinction, significant changes to forestry practices and land policy are urgently needed.
Minister Eric Abetz rejected the findings, saying he “did not believe that forestry is driving the swift parrot to extinction.”
“Every single coop of forestry that is harvested is subjected to the Forest Practices Authority considerations of all the environmental matters,” Abetz said.
Tasmanian Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff criticised the government’s response.
“It’s disturbing to see how quickly the Liberals jump to attack experts, including scientists, who dare to speak inconvenient truths. Minister Abetz’s denial of reality is reaching Trumpian levels,” Woodruff said.
