An Australian wildlife conservancy bought 200 hectares on King Island to protect threatened species; one native bird it hopes to save has fewer than 100 individuals remaining

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has purchased 200 hectares of land on King Island, Tasmania, to protect threatened wildlife, including a critically endangered bird with fewer than 100 individuals remaining. The acquisition marks the organisation’s first conservation project in Tasmania and creates an opportunity to expand efforts to protect the island’s unique species.According to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the property, named Boulder Wildlife Sanctuary, lies beside Lavinia State Reserve on King Island’s north-east coast. The property contains native vegetation that provides important habitat for threatened species. AWC plans to work with the local community to protect remaining habitats and address threats from feral cats, invasive weeds and fire.AWC buys 200 hectares on King Island to protect rare wildlifeThe acquisition of Boulder Wildlife Sanctuary marked AWC’s first expansion into Tasmania. The 200-hectare property at 87 Martha Lavinia Road, on King Island, offered an opportunity to build on conservation work already undertaken by residents and organisations. AWC lays the foundation for a King Island Conservation Program to be developed.The property lies alongside Lavinia State Reserve on the island’s north-east coast and supports threatened and high conservation value native vegetation. AWC Chief Executive Tim Allard said, “Locals have worked for decades to protect the island’s unique natural heritage.”“This acquisition represents an opportunity for AWC to build on the strong conservation foundations already established on the island and deliver our conservation model where it can have the greatest impact.”King Island’s 70% native vegetation loss threatens its unique wildlifeKing Island lies in Bass Strait, between Victoria and Tasmania, and is recognised internationally as a Key Biodiversity Area. It supports 470 native plant species, 164 bird species, 12 mammal species and nine reptile species. Among its birds are seven threatened and two critically endangered endemic subspecies. However, the island has experienced substantial environmental decline since European settlement, with 70% of its native vegetation cleared for agriculture. The remaining habitats have become highly fragmented, contributing to the local loss of several species, including the Forty-spotted Pardalote, Glossy Black-Cockatoo and Gang-gang Cockatoo.A bird with fewer than 100 individuals faces a fight for survivalThe critically endangered King Island Scrubtit is among the subspecies AWC hopes to protect at Boulder Wildlife Sanctuary. Its population has declined to fewer than 100 individuals, spread across three known isolated subpopulations. The bird is rarer by population estimate than the California Condor, with 500 individuals, New Zealand’s Kakapo, with 250, and the Whooping Crane, with 600.As an endemic bird, the King Island Scrubtit depends on mature, dense wet forests, particularly swamp paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) forest. Much of this habitat has been cleared for agriculture or degraded by altered fire regimes. The subspecies is a priority for conservation under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan.AWC targets feral cats and weeds to protect King Island’s rare wildlifeAWC plans to begin with a comprehensive ecological survey to establish a scientific baseline for wildlife at Boulder Wildlife Sanctuary. Initial work will include feral animal and weed control, fire management planning and habitat restoration to improve connectivity where possible. The organisation intends to expand its efforts beyond the property to address threats across King Island, particularly feral cat populations.The conservation work comes as wildlife on the island faces an ongoing H5 bird flu outbreak, which has taken a substantial toll on coastal birds and marine mammals in Bass Strait. AWC hopes long-term, science-based conservation and collaboration with local groups will help stabilise and ultimately recover the King Island Scrubtit population while protecting other threatened species.