Fears for the orange-bellied parrot

One of the country's best known scientists calls for a radical overhaul of the system to protect threatened species.
One of the country's best known scientists calls for a radical overhaul of the system to protect threatened species.
The orange-bellied parrot is one of five critically endangered species the researchers studied in order to improve the birds' ability to reproduce in the wild or captivity. (Credit: JJ Harrison via Wikimedia Commons)Scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a new method of testing the fertility of critically endangered birds which could make captive breeding programmes more effective and help secure the future of several species.
This year's winter conservation count for one of Australia's rarest birds has returned the lowest number of sightings since counting began.