Can Genetic Rescue Save This Critically Endangered Songbird?

Ateam of conservation biologists based at <a href="https://www.monash.edu/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Monash University</a> are collaborating with <a href="https://www.zoo.org.au/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Zoos Victoria</a> to save the Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix (referred to as cassidix here), from extinction. This small black-and-yellow songbird is distinguished by its characteristic ‘helmet’ of golden feathers atop its head, and is one of four living subspecies of the Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops. The Helmeted Honeyeater is endemic to Victoria and was formally recognized as its official bird in 1971. The Helmeted Honeyeater lives in dense swamp forests that lie alongside streams. Although this riparian habitat was originally widespread, it was drained and cleared for agriculture by white European colonists starting in the 1880s. Despite these challenges, the Helmeted Honeyeater still managed to cling to life in a few remnants of its habitat until a large wildfire swept through the area in 1983,  <a href="https://medium.com/discourse/can-genetic-rescue-save-this-critically-endangered-songbird-2d59522aa524">Website</a>