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Please Give a Fig for the Coxen’s Fig Parrot
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Many believe that the critically endangered Coxen’s Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni) no longer exists but others insist it is still out there in the rainforests of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW. While many sightings over the past 20 years have not been verified, one thing is certain, that the Coxen’s Fig Parrot is a very elusive and cryptic bird.

The Coxen's Fig Parrot is critically endangered with only up to 100 mature birds left in the wild. Most of the parrots’ preferred habitat, lowland coastal rainforest, has been cleared. This painting of the Coxen’s Fig Parrot was created by Justin Julian (8) for the Dymocks Golden Paw Award 2006, our annual threatened species drawing competition.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has always believed that we must not give up until we know for certain that a species is lost. For this reason the Coxen’s Fig Parrot is not a lost cause – just one that needs more help more urgently than any other species.

Scientists believe there are less than 100 birds still remaining, with most recent sightings in the Bundaberg region of Queensland and the upper Hastings catchment in NSW.

Recovery efforts are still underway and, whether they are benefiting the parrot or not, they do have positive results for a host of other rainforest-dependent species including six threatened species, the Wompoo, Rose-crowned and Superb Fruit-doves, the Barred Cuckoo Shrike, the Black Flying fox and the Eastern Tube-nosed Bat.

Over 10,000 fig trees have been planted so far to replace food trees lost to logging and clearing and Currumbin Sanctuary have continued to refine their captive breeding and handling techniques on similar fig parrot species.

We need another $31,000 to do aerial mapping of the figs to determine new planting areas, to propagate and plant more trees, to breed more birds for release into the wild, to train field staff in capture techniques and to involve the community in finding birds and nests.

If the Coxen’s Fig Parrot is out there we must give it the best fighting chance of survival possible. If you would like to support the parrots please make a donation to the parrot emergency fund today.

If you can help us give this species a chance, please make your donation by cheque or online and we will direct 100% of your donation to the wildlife emergency fund to go towards the species featured in this newsletter.

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