Werribee Open Range Zoo gives orange-bellied parrots a flying start to long life

THESE colourful, rare, native birds will get a once over as part of the Werribee Open Range Zoo’s National Recovery Plan. See the cute pictures here.

A DOZEN orange-bellied parrots from southwest Tasmania are enjoying a little rest and recreation at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Only 19 of the critically endangered species are living in the wild, worldwide.

Orange Bellied Parrots received vet checks at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Picture: Ian Currie

The zoo’s veterinarians are taking part in a National Recovery Plan breeding program.

The birds are captured and brought to the zoo for winter for health checks and for any treatment that they are found to require.

They are then flown back to their natural habitat in Tasmania for the beginning of the breeding season in October.

One bird goes under anaesthetic. Picture: Ian Currie

The vet checks over all aspects of the bird’s health. Picture: Ian Currie

Werribee Zoo veterinarian Dr Paul Eden said the breeding program was part of the national plan to save the species from extinction.

“We try and make them the healthiest they can be, so when they go back to the wild, they are in a fit state,” Dr Eden said.

“Hopefully, we’ll start to see an increase of numbers in the wild this way.”

The zoo is hoping to give the dozen parrots a flying start on living a long and healthy life.

Veterinarian Dr Paul Eden with a parrot. Picture: Ian Currie