The #RegentHoneyeater is one of Australia’s most #CriticallyEndangered birds. There are <350 birds left in the wild. For >20y, Taronga has been #ConservationBreeding an insurance population. Since 2008, >300 birds have been released to bolster wild populations. #ScienceWeek 
#RegentHoneyeaters are in decline due to threats from #habitatloss and degradation. #Drought, #bushfire, competition, and now even the precariously small size of the remaining population all pose risks to the species’ survival.
Our team of #RegentHoneyeater keepers are experts in #ConservationBreeding these amazing birds. Here specialist keeper Kara Stevens explains our progress at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
To get the most success from our program our scientists have looked at the life of every released bird & how they fared after release into the wild.
Our collaborative #science showed birds have highest survival when released at 1-3yo. The more time they spent in large, complex aviaries with other species also increased their breeding chances. frontiersin.org/articles/10.33… @joytripovich
Results like these help us to manage our #ConservationBreeding & design future release strategies
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