Results of survey on Recherche Cape Barren geese

30/4/93

A survey of the endangered Recherche Cape Barren goose has shown numbers are not as low as had been feared.

Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today that officers from the Department of Conservation and Land Management counted 620 geese last week.

He said the survey was done after fears that geese numbers had dropped from around 1,000 to well below 500.

The Recherche Cape Barren goose was a distinct subspecies which occurred only in Western Australia's South-West.

"It only breeds on islands of the archipelago of the Recherche, off Esperance," Mr Minson said.

"The other subspecies of the Cape Barren goose, which occurs on islands in the Bass Strait and off South Australia, is not threatened with extinction."

Mr Minson said the survey, funded by the Commonwealth Government's endangered species program, was done between April 20 and 26.

He said almost all islands and rocks in the archipelago were inspected - more than 200 in all.

Areas of the adjacent mainland were also surveyed and members of the public telephoned-in observations of geese near Esperance.

Mr Minson said the results of the survey indicated that no immediate remedial action was necessary.

"Available information suggests that the Recherche Cape Barren goose is a naturally rare subspecies and that its numbers should be monitored," he said.

"Though many geese died during the dry summers of 1990-91 and 1991-92, numbers now seem to be increasing slowly.

"To be sure of this trend, another count should be done in two or three years time."

Mr Minson said that as well as counting geese, the survey staff did further counts of Australian sea-lions and New Zealand fur seals in the Recherche to add to the extensive surveys of recent years.

He said the results of these counts were still being collated.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595