By Dillon Shelley
VICTORIA Park Lake recently became a stage for an unexpected spectacle: the arrival of two pairs of Magpie Geese, a species once declared extinct in Victoria. This sighting, although surprising, is not entirely unprecedented, as there have been sporadic sightings in Shepparton in recent years, following an absence since 1992.
The Magpie Goose, known for its striking black and white plumage, strong legs, webbed feet, and a unique lump on the forehead, is a rare water bird that once thrived in Victoria’s wetlands. However, by the early 1900s, the bird was declared extinct in Victoria, a consequence of overhunting and habitat loss.
This species was once a common sight in the Victorian swamps, however, the bird’s disappearance from southern wetlands led to its reclassification as a northern species. Today, the Magpie Goose is mostly associated with Australia’s top-end.
In an attempt to reintroduce the species, the Victorian Government initiated a successful breeding and release program in the 1960s using birds captured from northern Australian populations. This led to the Magpie Goose’s status being downgraded from endangered to near threatened, indicating a significant recovery.
However, this success story is not without its controversies. Some biologists question if the Magpie Goose can establish a self-sustaining breeding population in Victoria, given the lack of solid data. Additionally, the issue of provenance arises, as the reintroduced birds are not of local origin.
Regardless, the recent sightings in Shepparton bring hope and intrigue. Are these Magpie Geese a sign of a species reclaiming its lost habitat, or merely an introduced form filling an ecological gap left by the extinction of local populations?
