Seventeen tiny birds take flight in a giant leap for conservation in South Australia’s mallee

In a landmark moment for Australian conservation, 17 captive-bred Mallee Emu-wrens have been released into the wild at a carefully selected mallee site in South Australia. It is the first time this endangered species has ever been bred in human care and released to the wild.

This pioneering achievement is the result of a multi-year collaboration between Zoos SA, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, with support from the Threatened Mallee Bird Conservation Action Plan Steering Committee.

A bird once thought lost

Weighing just 4 to 6 grams, the Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee) is one of Australia’s smallest and most elusive birds. It was feared extinct in South Australia following major wildfires in 2014. The species is dependent on spinifex habitats in mallee woodlands and healthy mallee and is closely tied to regeneration time-since fire.

In 2023, Zoos SA began the first ex-situ conservation breeding program for the Mallee Emu-wren at Monarto Safari Park. After years of careful preparation and husbandry trials with Rufous-crowned Emu-wrens as a surrogate species, the team achieved remarkable success. Within just two breeding seasons, the Mallee Emu-wren population has grown into a thriving captive flock, laying the groundwork for this historic release.

A delicate first flight

The release of 17 birds marks a critical first step towards re-establishing a South Australian population of Mallee Emu-wrens. It also serves as a trial for future wild-to-wild translocations.

Tom Hurley, Assistant Curator of Natives at Monarto Safari Park, said the moment was both emotional and inspiring.

“We’ve gone from not even knowing if we could keep them alive in human care, to seeing them breed successfully, and now, watching them take flight back into the wild. It’s an incredibly proud moment,” said Tom.

“These birds are tiny, but they represent a huge win for conservation. To now see them flitting through spinifex in the mallee is just magic.”

To support the birds’ transition, keepers used feeding stations first introduced inside the aviaries and later installed at the release site. However, with large numbers of invertebrates at the release site the birds were not interested in the captive food, happily foraging on their own.

Restoring a lost song

This particular mallee landscape was selected for the trial release due to its healthy spinifex habitat, favourable fire history, and its location within the Riverland Mallee Key Biodiversity Area. The area offers the right structural conditions for Mallee Emu-wrens to thrive and plays a vital role in broader efforts to increase the number of secure populations across the Murray—Darling Depression.

Chris Hedger, Conservation Ecologist with the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, said the release is the culmination of years of dedicated work.

“This is a species I’ve worked with for over 15 years, and to see them return to South Australia is deeply moving,” said Chris.

“This release is not just a recovery milestone. It is a proof of concept for our conservation toolbox. The breeding success at Monarto Safari Park means we now have options when it comes to saving this species from fire and other threats.”

A blueprint for the future

The project is guided by the Threatened Mallee Bird Conservation Action Plan (TMB CAP), a multi-partner initiative spanning South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. The plan aims to establish a new self-sustaining population of Mallee Emu-wrens by 2033 and ensure ex-situ readiness for future emergencies by 2026.

Dr Rebecca Boulton, Landscape Ecologist and Chair of the TMB CAP Steering Committee, said the success of the release demonstrates the power of collaboration.

“The Mallee Emu-wren has always been a flagship species in our conservation planning,” said Rebecca.

“This release is a testament to what’s possible when we bring together scientific research, bold ideas and genuine collaboration. We’re one step closer to ensuring this beautiful little bird has a future across more of its former range.”

With ongoing support, future releases could see the species re-established in other historic locations across the Murray—Darling Depression.

About the Mallee Emu-wren

• Listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act
  • Found only in north-western Victoria within the Murray-Darling Depression
  • Weighs just 4 to 6 grams
  • Locally extinct in SA after 2014 bushfires burnt last known populations in the State
  • Highly vulnerable to wildfire and habitat fragmentation