New nature reserves to save an endangered Cape icon
Three separate nature reserves totalling 166,000 ha of critical habitat including the home of the endangered golden-shouldered parrot have been created to help save the species from extinction.
Cairns
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Three separate nature reserves totalling 166,000 ha of critical habitat including the home of the endangered golden-shouldered parrot have been created to help save the species from extinction.
It’s hoped the creation of two new nature refuges northwest of Mt Isa, another 45km southwest of Bowen and the expansion of Artemis Station at Cape York 300km northwest of Cairns will help to boost the population.
It’s estimated there are only between 780 and 1100 individuals left in the wild.
Nature refuges are a class of private protected area under the state’s Nature Conservation Act and are administered by a legally binding conservation agreement between a landholder and the government.
About 300km north west of Cairns the Artemis Antbed Parrot Nature Refuge protects vital habitat for the endangered golden-shouldered parrot and will increase in size to 103,059 ha to cover a total of 105,175ha under record state government $262.5m investment to expand Queensland’s national parks.
“Our thing has always been to look after the country. We’ve lived on Artemis for most of our lives and we know it and care for it deeply,” Tom and Sue Shephard, the owners of Artemis Antbed Parrot Nature Refuge, said.
“We’ve always tried to do things right, so our cattle business is viable but we’re also looking after the Golden-shouldered Parrot and other wildlife.
“So we’re very happy and grateful to the Queensland Government for the chance to extend our conservation work.”
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Palaszczuk Government would invest $1.6m to protect and support the immense biodiversity and habitats suitable for various endangered species.
“We selected these pristine locations which adjoin existing protected areas to further preserve the conservation values of the area and ensure our wildlife will thrive,” she said.
Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat said the protection of the golden-shouldered parrot was a high priority of the group.
“We are in an extinction crisis and our wildlife needs all the help it can get. This is great for the conservation of some very important endangered species,” she said.
“The four landholders managing these nature refuges each received Nature Assist grants to improve sustainable land management for conservation outcomes. It’s fantastic this support was available from the state government.”
The Palaszczuk Government’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030 commits to doubling
Queensland’s protected areas from 8.2 per cent to 17 per cent of the state.
It has now reached 14.3m hectares, which equates to 8.3 per cent of the state’s land area protected as either National Park or nature reserve, according to the Queensland Conservation Council.
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Originally published as New nature reserves to save an endangered Cape icon
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