Tall eucalyptus forests that are the territory for four Wedge-tailed Eagle nests are the site of a new campaign by Bob Brown Foundation, just five weeks from the eagles’ breeding season.

This morning, a group of dedicated forest defenders is occupying the logging area in forests on the eastern slopes of Brown Mountain, just north of Mt Field National Park. Four recorded Wedge-tailed Eagle nests are less than 1 km from this location, but Forestry Tasmania is currently logging this forest, and many others like it, using taxpayer dollars to prop up a devastating industry.

“There are currently two active logging coupes in this Brown Mountain area and a new roading operation. Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagles are endangered, primarily due to habitat loss. This powerful bird of prey has a wingspan of up to 2.8 m and, as an apex predator, it is vital for maintaining the balance of Tasmania’s delicate and unique ecosystem,” said Lisa Searle from Bob Brown Foundation.

“The Wedge-Tailed Eagle breeding season officially starts in July, but Forestry Tasmania have insufficient provisions to allow logging in the endangered species habitat. Mating pairs breed for life and may come back to the same nest every year, so if they return and find that their nesting trees have been damaged, the chance of successful breeding for that season is significantly reduced,” said Lisa Searle.

“We are dedicated to securing protection of native forests to ensure the survival of forest-dependent species like the Wedge-tailed Eagle and other threatened and endangered species that rely on intact forests for their lives.”

“We are calling for the immediate removal of logging machines from these forests and plan to continue to occupy these Brown Mountain forests to prevent their destruction,” said Lisa Searle.

“Native forest logging must end now. We are losing forests and species at an alarming rate. This is not only driving an extinction crisis, but is also one of the biggest drivers of climate change, the biggest threat currently facing our planet,” said Lisa Searle.