Conservationists are working to remove invasive species from Curtis Island, Australia in hopes of creating a bright future for native Capricorn Yellow Chats.

On Curtis Island, Australia a bright yellow bird has been fighting the prospects of a dark future. Yellow Chats (Epthianura crocea) are found throughout Australia, but Capricorn Yellow Chats (Epthianura crocea macgregori), a subspecies, has a much smaller range. Capricorn Yellow Chats, ranked Critically Endangered by Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, are found only on Curtis Island and two other regions of Australia. In 2011, only 9 individuals remained on Curtis Island.

Capricorn Yellow Chats’ habitat on Curtis Island was being destroyed by invasive feral pigs and other invasive species. Feral cattle grazed native vegetation, which the Chats relied upon for nesting, while the feral pigs disturbed habitat and consumed anything in sight on the island. Considering the small range of the subspecies, these impacts presented a major threat to the entire island population of the small yellow birds.

Mark Read, Operations Support Manager for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said:

The bird has been listed as endangered on a national level…it’s a bird under a lot of pressure.

Thankfully, Queensland Parks and Wildlife increased eradication efforts in 2011 and since then have seen positive results. The population has risen to approximately 35 individuals, but their work is not over yet, explains Read:

The aim is not to think we’ve got to 35 birds and our job’s done…it’s to continue working in the area and support the habitat and monitor birds…We don’t want to be responsible for the extinction of birds we could save.

Capricorn Yellow Chats require specific habitat on the marine plains of Australia. Were it not for the invasive species the birds would be thriving. Although more conservation is needed to fully protect the area, these efforts to protect the small, yellow bird are considered a step in the right direction and suggest a brighter future for the species.

Featured photo: Capricorn Yellow Chat. Credit: Peter
Source: Whitsunday Times