Launch of children's book about a noisy scrub-bird and avian sound CD

1/12/99
The story sights and sounds of one of Western Australia's most remarkable conservation coups have been captured in a new book and CD.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes launched Jeemuluk, a children's book about a noisy scrub-bird, and a CD - Images and Reflections: Australia The South West - in Albany today.
"The coup is the recovery of the noisy scrub bird, re-discovered in 1961 after having been unrecorded for the previous 72 years," Mrs Edwardes said.
"A recovery program by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has seen the bird's population increase from about 100 in the 1960s to more than 1,000 today. The species consequently is one of the icons of Western Australia's nature conservation initiatives."
Jeemuluk - the Aboriginal word for the noisy scrub bird - is written by CALM South Coast region interpretation officer Corinn Hine, illustrated by Albany artist Carol O'Connor and published by CALM.
In the story, Jeemuluk, a young male noisy scrub bird searches for a territory of his own, is captured and held for translocation, and with the assistance of CALM staff, finds a new home.
Mrs Edwardes said part of the proceeds from Jeemuluk and the CD would be donated to the trust fund set up for the conservation and research of the noisy scrub bird.
"The CD - Images and Reflections: Australia The South West - is compiled by a Western Australian musician, Robert Boyd, who captured the avian sounds of the South-West," she said.
"Other native species recorded on the disc include the blue wren, one of the more striking birds of the region, barking owl, willie wagtail, mudlark and singing honeyeater.
"Robert Boyd's own musical compositions and natural sounds, such as that of the Southern Ocean, back the avian sounds."
Mrs Edwardes said that through publications such as Jeemuluk and the recordings of
Mr Boyd, many more people would become aware of the need for conservation of many of our native species.
Media contacts: Ministerial Carole Cowling 9421 7777
CALM Corinn Hine 9842 4500