Logging has been stopped by the NSW Forestry Corporation in a Clarence Valley state forest after eggs found in an endangered Coastal Emu nest hatched last week, prompting calls for a wider exclusion zone to protect the species. Source: Australian Rural & Regional News
Last week the Clarence Valley Independent reported Forestry Corporation of NSW Lead Forestry Officer Kurt Holzhauser discovered nine Coastal Emu eggs in a nest during a pre-logging inspection and habitat search for threatened and endangered species in a protected area.
Following the amazing discovery, to protect the nest a 100-metre buffer zone was enforced, and the Forestry Corporation of NSW worked with the Saving Our Species program team to ensure the eggs had the best chance of survival.
Last Tuesday, the Forestry Corporation of NSW voluntarily ceased logging in the area as the father and the two newly hatched chicks were seen wandering in the forest.
A Forestry Corporation of NSW spokesperson confirmed 10 endangered Coastal Emu eggs had been found at the site.
“Once the coastal emu nest was discovered, Forestry Corporation of NSW engaged with the Saving our Species SoS program within the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, as the experts in this space,” the spokesperson said.
“When the SoS program team arrived on site they found ten eggs in this nest.”
The Forestry Corporation of NSW spokesperson said the SoS team collected seven of the eggs and they were transferred to an incubator.
“Three eggs were left in the nest, and the male emu returned within five minutes of the other eggs being collected,” the spokesperson said.
“Two eggs hatched, and the male left the nest with chicks once they were mobile.
“One egg was unviable, which is not uncommon, and has been collected for testing.”
The spokesperson said SoS program team members have seen the male emu and the chicks in the state forest.
“We are working closely with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water to monitor the status of the emus,” the spokesperson said.
Five eggs from the nest that remain in incubation are being monitored by SoS project team members.
News of the discovery prompted NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson to call for a planned native forest logging in areas of Coastal Emu habitat to be stopped.
Ms Higginson said the 100-metre exclusion zone established around the nest was not enough and a 1000 metre exclusion zone would provide a genuine buffer.
She said two other Coastal Emu nests were found on private property close to the state forest, which the CV Independent has chosen not to name.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water state, as there are less than 50 Coastal Emus known to exist, in their only habitat between Evans Head and Red Rock, they are of significant conservation value as a species.
Many plants are dependent on the emu for germination and distribution of their seeds over distances of up to 50km.
No other species that lives in the incredibly biodiverse environment they inhabit in the Clarence Valley can fulfil that role.
Recent decades have seen a dramatic decline in Coastal Emu numbers with some birds killed in vehicle strikes as development encroaches further into their habitat.
Much of the impact occurs at the nesting stage of the emu’s life with ground-nesting exposing the adults, eggs, and chicks to a range of threats from predators, fire, machinery, and other human disturbance.
With two known Coastal Emu chicks and potentially several more to hatch, Clarence Valley residents are asked to slow down on roads around known Emu habitat areas and remain vigilant for any wandering chicks or adults near roads.
“It is increasingly evident that an increase in home building activity, expected towards the end of this year and into early next year, will be driven by those markets outside of Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.
