The Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre in Ongerup has received a sad blow with Gnowi the malleehen

found dead in the Yongergnow aviary last Saturday by dedicated volunteer, Don Sclater.

The pair of Malleefowl had been building a mound and excitement was growing amongst the

volunteers, Mallee Donors, board and stakeholders that this activity would lead to egg laying and

potentially to Malleefowl chicks.

The deceased malleehen was taken to the Department of Agriculture and Food Animal Health

Laboratory in Albany by Yongergnow volunteer scientific advisor Jessica van der Waag for a post

mortem examination with the results available in approximately two weeks time.

Initial provisional diagnosis indicates a bacterial infection in the oviduct may have been the cause of

the malleehen death.

David Forshaw, the veterinarian pathologist who performed the post mortem said that the malleehen

had active ovaries with many eggs in various stages of development.

The Yongergnow Board will meet shortly to discuss the sad event and to formulate a future plan for

the breeding programme.

The Malleefowl had been very intent on their mound building activity and Ms van der Waag said that

considering Gnowi was only twenty months of age and had laid at least one egg, indications were that

the pair were content and happily adapted to their surroundings in the aviary.

"Khomal, the male bird may now be quite distressed at the disappearance of his mate and may be

seen boom-calling more frequently. With regards the mound,usually both male and female Malleefowl

contribute to the work of opening and closing the mound over the breeding season to regulate the

temperature for incubation of the eggs. Without a female however, Khomal is most likely to continue