Yourka Reserve protects endangered Red Goshawk

29 April 2008 

Bush Heritage Australia today announced the acquisition of the 43,500 hectare Yourka Reserve on the western edge of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.  The reserve is located within the Einasleigh Uplands, one of Australia's 15 biodiversity hotspots.

The red goshawk is one of at least 23 threatened species that have a greater chance of survival thanks to a new conservation reserve in far north Queensland. The red goshawk is Australia's most threatened bird of prey, with only 700 breeding pairs left in the world.

"This magnificent conservation reserve protects over 39 ecosystems, a number of which are not protected anywhere else on earth," said Doug Human, CEO of Bush Heritage Australia.

"Yourka Reserve features iconic rainforest remnants, declining wet eucalyptus woodlands, grasslands, and numerous waterways and lagoons.  Much of the reserve is listed as important for geographically restricted and threatened plants, tree-dwelling mammals, and as a wildlife corridor and drought refuge."

Bush Heritage ecologist David Baker-Gabb was delighted when he found a red goshawk nest during a wildlife survey of Yourka Reserve.

"The red goshawk is a good indicator of highly productive land and biodiversity," said ecologist David Baker-Gabb.  "If it's good enough for red goshawks, it's good enough for a whole range of other threatened species that rely on old growth trees for habitat and food."

Yourka Reserve protects habitiats needed to safeguarde Australia's unique biodiversity against the impacts of climate change. "By protecting extensive areas of land with differences in elevation, we can provide displaced animals and plants with more suitable habitats to move into" said Doug Humann.

The purchase of this important sanctuary for conservation was made possible through the generosity of over 2,000 supporters, the Thomas Challenge , The Nature Conservancy , and the Australian Government's Maintaining Australia's Biodiversity Hotspots Program.
 
Contact: Alexandra de Blas, Bush Heritage Australia, 0427 545 834