• 21 helmeted honeyeaters were released into Cardinia Shire, Victoria, marking their return after 40 years and re-establishing a crucial wild population.
• The helmeted honeyeater is critically endangered, with only around 200 birds remaining in the wild, making this reintroduction vital for the species' survival.
• The reintroduction aims to improve the genetic diversity of the helmeted honeyeater population, addressing the issue of inbreeding among the remaining birds.

More than 20 helmeted honeyeaters, bred at Healesville Sanctuary, have been released into their new forest home on Bunurong Country in eastern Victoria. This initiative is part of a conservation effort to re-establish the wild population of the critically endangered species. The release marks the return of the species to the Cardinia area after 40 years, following the devastating Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. Scientists are hopeful that the introduction of new colonies will help increase their numbers and ensure their long-term survival.

• What: Release of 21 captive-bred helmeted honeyeaters into the wild to re-establish a population in Cardinia Shire after 40 years.
• Who: Zoos Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary, Nick Bradsworth (Zoos Victoria), Kim Miller (Healesville Sanctuary), local organizations, scientists, and the Bunurong Country.
• When: Release occurred this month (May 2025) after an absence of over 40 years, since the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. The emblem was chosen in 1971.
• Where: Cardinia Shire, Gippsland, eastern Victoria, Bunurong Country, Healesville Sanctuary (near Melbourne).

The reintroduction of helmeted honeyeaters to Cardinia Shire is a significant step in the conservation of this critically endangered species. The focus on population management and the establishment of new colonies highlights the importance of captive breeding programs in preserving endangered wildlife. The concern over the lack of genetic diversity among the remaining birds underscores the need for continued monitoring and strategic breeding efforts to ensure the species' long-term survival. The collaboration between Zoos Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary, and local organizations is crucial for habitat rehabilitation and the overall success of the reintroduction program.

It is an emotional moment for the recovery team, and so many of our partners, to have had helmeted honeyeaters return to this area after an absence of over 40 years.

Second to the problem of not much habitat, the remaining birds are actually quite inbred … they could move towards extinction because of that lack of genetic diversity.

This is really just the start. We do hope to increase the number of sites in years to come, bolster numbers with captive-born birds and hope that they thrive into the future.

The release of helmeted honeyeaters into Cardinia Shire marks a promising development in the effort to save this iconic Victorian species from extinction. While the initial reintroduction is a positive step, ongoing monitoring, habitat rehabilitation, and continued breeding programs are essential for ensuring the long-term survival and genetic diversity of the population. The success of this initiative relies on the continued collaboration of various organizations and the dedication of scientists and conservationists.