Protecting King Island’s Native Species

Published on

July 14, 2016

Written by

Sara

Photo credit

Sara

The people of Tasmania’s King Island aim to end the loss of native plants and animals through conservation efforts. 

King Island, part of Tasmania, Australia, is home to endangered and endemic species, including

the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot:

Island Conservation Science Orange-Bellied Parrot
Orange-bellied Parrot on perch. By Ron Knight

the Little Penguin:

Island Conservation Science Little Penguin
Little Penguins emerging from burrow. By JJ Harrison

the Superb Fairy Wren:

Island Conservation Science Fairy Wren
Superb Fairy Wren perched. By patrickkavanagh

and the Platypus:

Island Conservation Science Platypus
Platypus Swimming in Tasmania. By Klaus

Further decline of native vegetation would have serious consequences for the rare animals living on the island.  According to Natural Resource Management (NRM) regional Landcare Facilitator Ana Pimenta, the island has lost 70% of its vegetation. If any more habitat is lost, Pimenta warns, the endemic species may go extinct. She says:

Thirty per cent of native vegetation is about the minimum ecological value for a good ecosystem.

The loss of vegetation has been attributed to agricultural development and fires.

Island Conservation Science King Island
King Island landscape. By Michael

Agricultural development and fires on the island have contributed to the loss of native vegetation. The NRM team is working with landowners and farmers to protect the island’s biodiversity. They aim to stabilize the native plant population and help it increase. They also plan to implement eco-tourism programs that educate visitors about the island’s native and endemic species.

We are working closely with council and landowners to protect what they have.

Feature photo: Little Penguin on beach. By Ken & Nyetta
Read the original article at ABC

Back Next

Want to learn more?

Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.

What is Climate Week?

Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!

Rare Joins the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge

Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…