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Numbers down in Coastal Emu Count

Media release: 20 October 2014

Over 76 volunteers from the Clarence and Bungawalbin areas assisted in this year’s Coastal Emu survey held last month counting 85 birds.

NPWS Ranger and survey coordinator Gina Hart said this year’s count was down on the 109 birds counted during the last survey in 2012 although the reasons for the drop in numbers in the Clarence are unclear.

“There have been several reports of young families emerging in the last couple of weeks which may indicate that some birds have nested later in the season”, Ms Hart said.

The census over the 6th and 7th of September was the 11th census in the last 14 years.  The tally for this year was 44 for the Clarence and 41 for the Bungawalbin area.

Gina thanked the volunteers who between them donated a many hours of their time to help count the Clarence Valley’s emus.

“The dedicated volunteers covered more 800 kilometers of roads and trails covered by vehicle and by foot between Bungawalbin and Red Rock to help create a snapshot of where the emus are”, she said.

“Many of the volunteers have been involved since 2000 and their continued enthusiasm enables NPWS to monitor the range utilized by the coastal emu and glean important information on changes in the size of the population and their range.

“By undertaking regular surveys focusing on seasonal foraging hotspots, we can monitor any drastic changes in numbers and range.

“We also pick up information on seasonal corridors the birds are using and potential threats.

“This year’s count is down on the last survey tally of 109 birds in 2012 and the reasons for the drop in numbers in the Clarence are unclear.

“There have been several reports of young families emerging in the last couple of weeks which may indicate that some birds have nested later in the season.

“Many local residents and visitors provided information on sightings in the lead up to, and shortly after the survey as well as historical records.

“The Valley’s cane farmers assisted in providing tallies of birds on their properties over the weekend.

“The cane farms in the Clarence provide an important seasonal food source for the Coastal Emu, with almost a third of the population spending months at a time on these properties.

“With no emus seen in Bundjalung and Iluka since 2009, Yuraygir National Park and surrounds and the Bungawalbin area are becoming the stronghold for this population and is likely to be the last bastion in the future”, Ms Hart said.

Collisions with vehicles still remain the largest threat to the coastal emu, with 71 road deaths reported in the last 14 years.

Contact: Lawrence Orel

Page last updated: 22 October 2014