Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping
Orange-bellied Parrot Fundraiser:
The Mad Dash to Melaleuca
Help protect one of
Australia’s most endangered birds
In December 2026, the ASZK President will join a small team to complete the 86km South Coast Track in southwestern Tasmania, to raise awareness of only 86 OBPs that migrated south to nesting grounds in Melaleuca in this latest season.
And to celebrate the ASZK’s milestone 50 Year Anniversary in 2026, the team have committed to complete this hike in only 50 hours from start to finish, ending in the same nesting grounds in Melaleuca for the 2026 return of OBPs.
The team, and ASZK, are raising funds to support the ‘Friends of the Orange-bellied Parrot’ volunteer group, with all funds donated in support, to reach FOTOBP. See below to donate today.
The Route
About the species
The Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) is a small, migratory parrot that breeds in southwest Tasmania and winters along Australia’s southeastern coast.
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Fewer than 100 birds remain
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Migrates across Bass Strait each year
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Threatened by habitat loss, predators, and environmental change
Conservation programs across Australian zoos are helping maintain a genetically healthy population and support wild releases.
Breeding snapshot
As of December 2025:
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86 birds returned to Melaleuca (53 males, 33 females)
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66 wild-bred birds (including 32 from the 2024–25 season)
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20 captive-bred birds previously released
Recipient of funds:
Friends of the Orange-bellied Parrot
Friends of the OBP (FOTOBP) is a volunteer group within Wildcare Tasmania, playing a vital role in conservation efforts.
Their work includes:
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Conducting migration surveys across western Tasmania
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Supporting the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Program
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Collecting critical field and captive population data
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Raising awareness and funds for conservation
Partners
Sponsors
References:
FOTOBP, 2025. Friends of the Orange-bellied Parrot. Wildcare Tasmania Incorporated. www.wildcaretas.org.au/groups/friendsobp
IUCN World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 1996. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; Neophema chrysogaster. Version 2025 – 2. Published 2018. www.iucnredlist.org
Orange-bellied Parrot Tasmanian Program, 2025. Tasmanian Government.