ABOUT THE SPECIES
Eastern curlews are the largest of the world’s shorebirds, and are listed as Critically Endangered (Federally). They’ve got a haunting call that sounds like their name (‘currrleeeew’) and extra long bills that curve downward to help them probe deep into intertidal mudflats to dig up crabs and molluscs to eat. They forage by slowly picking their way across intertidal mudflats looking for prey. 75% of all the world’s curlews rely on feeding grounds in wetlands across Australia to fatten up for their epic migrations to breeding grounds in China & Russia! It takes a lot of energy to fly for 10 days non-stop! Intertidal wetlands across Australia serve as important stops for their epic migration. Sadly, we are destroying these intertidal wetlands at an alarming rate and have lost 50% of curlews since the 1980s. Image courtesy of Roger MacKertich.
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
Many intertidal wetlands are under threat by developers that want to build apartments and marinas on them – like those found in Toondah Harbour in Moreton Bay QLD. ACF is working to protect the internationally significant Ramsar wetland in Toondah Harbour for the curlews. We are campaigning for stronger laws that protect threatened species and critical habitat they rely on. Without these mudflats the curlews won’t have enough food for their epic migration. If they don’t get enough food it will mean less of them make it back each year – bringing curlews one step closer to extinction.
You can vote for ACF and the Eastern curlew right here in The ANiMOZ Aussie Wildlife Vote 2020!