Among the individuals who have now been brought back to Cardinia in southeast Victoria for the first time in 42 years are critically endangered helmeted honeyeaters. These honeyeaters had previously resided there before the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. Dr. Kim Miller, the manager of threatened species at Healesville sanctuary, describes them as charismatic, energetic, and curious, emphasizing that while they are territorial, they also possess sociable traits.
Approximately 21 captive-bred birds from the sanctuary have been released into the forest on Bunurong country, where researchers will monitor their activities to assess whether they can establish themselves as a flourishing wild population. Miller, who has been involved in working with the species for over a decade, concludes that the site in Cardinia possesses suitable habitat characteristics and essential food plants required by the honeyeaters, making it a rare and suitable location. Only a few hundred helmeted honeyeaters remain in the world, and Miller points out that 99% of their habitat has disappeared, leading to significant genetic diversity issues as the remaining wild birds are highly isolated.
The birds have been equipped with radio transmitters and leg bands for temporary tracking and long-term monitoring, respectively. Zoos Victoria’s field officer, Dr. Nick Bradsworth, is on-site to monitor and feed the birds during their initial weeks. Bradsworth expressed his fulfillment at witnessing them interacting freely, suggesting that this rebirth is just the beginning and expressing hope that additional thriving populations could be established throughout eastern Victoria in their previous range.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/09/helmeted-honeyeater-release-healesville-sanctuary-cardinia-south-east-victoria-breed-wild-population
