Australian Geographic supports endangered Tasmanian
owl research
The Australian Geographic Society is featuring a University of
Tasmania wildlife research project as its latest in-store fundraising
campaign.
The plight of the endangered Tasmanian masked owl is being showcased
across the Society’s 50 national stores until July with public
donations going directly to the School of Zoology project.
The awareness campaign is one of four fundraising events held in
Australian Geographic Shops each year.
Researcher and CRC for Forestry PhD Candidate, Michael Todd, said
continued research on the ecological requirements of the Tasmanian
owl was reliant on the next wave of funding.
Mr Todd said the funds would be used to purchase additional GPS
data logging devices as well as enabling the surveys for the owl
to be extended Statewide.
“I am grateful to the Australian Geographic Society for recognising
the importance of this research into the threatened Tasmanian masked
owl,” Mr Todd said.
“There is an urgent need for information about this unique
bird’s ecological requirements so that guidelines for its
management can be developed.”
The project has the potential to be the most detailed assessment
of any owl species in Australia and the most comprehensive of any
species of barn owl in the world.
Past research has been supported with funding from the CRC for
Forestry, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment
and the Forest Practices Authority.
Mr Todd said the masked owl population is loosely estimated at
550 breeding pairs and the owls usually live in old growth forests.
The aim of the research is to determine the owl’s habitat
requirements, the impact of past and current forestry practices
and evaluate the natural demise of aged trees with hollows.
Information Released by:
The Media Office, University of Tasmania
Phone: 6226 2124 or 6324 3218 (Launceston)
Mobile: 0417 517 291
Email: Media.Office@utas.edu.au
For interviews contact:
School of Zoology
PhD Candidate Michael Todd
Mobile: 0458 394 676
Email: mktodd@utas.edu.au
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