❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Environment about Carnaby's cockatoos feeding on canola due to food scarcity and potential starvation. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines government actions to protect habitat and support affected birds.
AnsweredQoN 1275Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CARNABY'S
BLACK-COCKATOO
1275. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to question without notice
1225 and note that researchers have found a link between canola planting and
numbers of the threatened Carnaby's black-cockatoo.
(1) Is the minister
aware that Carnaby's cockatoos are now feeding on canola plants due to
a lack of other food sources?
(2) Does the
minister acknowledge that Carnaby's cockatoos are currently
experiencing a widespread starvation event?
(3) What is the
government doing to retain important food sources and provide supplementary
feeding for Carnaby's cockatoos, like canola plants, in the absence of
other food sources?
BLACK-COCKATOO
1275. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to question without notice
1225 and note that researchers have found a link between canola planting and
numbers of the threatened Carnaby's black-cockatoo.
(1) Is the minister
aware that Carnaby's cockatoos are now feeding on canola plants due to
a lack of other food sources?
(2) Does the
minister acknowledge that Carnaby's cockatoos are currently
experiencing a widespread starvation event?
(3) What is the
government doing to retain important food sources and provide supplementary
feeding for Carnaby's cockatoos, like canola plants, in the absence of
other food sources?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following extensive answer.
(1) Yes. Over
time, Carnaby's cockatoos have adapted their feeding habits to consume
alternative foods, including the canola seed.
(2) The minister
is aware that a number of underweight Carnaby's cockatoos are
presenting at Perth Zoo. This is likely due to reduced food availability
following the summer drought. Monitoring at a long-term breeding site of
Carnaby's cockatoos in Western Australia's midwest region also
indicates a delayed start to the breeding season. This is also likely due to
low autumn rainfall and drought conditions affecting the flowering and fruiting
activity of some plant species that are food for black cockatoos.
(3) This
government is focused on reducing habitat loss. We have stopped pine harvesting
in the Gnangara state forest to retain 1 800 hectares of habitat for the
Carnaby's cockatoo in Perth's north-eastern suburbs. We have
also made the historic decision to end native logging in our forests, which
provide important habitat for the three black cockatoo species. Regarding the
immediate concern for Carnaby's cockatoos, we are prioritising the
support of those that are sick and injured and may be impacted by reduced food
resources. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is
providing additional support to the Perth Zoo veterinary department to ensure
it can provide treatment for sick birds and to specialised black cockatoo
rehabilitation centres to enable them to rehabilitate birds and release them back
to wild populations. DBCA is examining
issues affecting WA's black cockatoos as this breeding season continues and will consider any action that may be feasible to assist these species.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following extensive answer.
(1) Yes. Over
time, Carnaby's cockatoos have adapted their feeding habits to consume
alternative foods, including the canola seed.
(2) The minister
is aware that a number of underweight Carnaby's cockatoos are
presenting at Perth Zoo. This is likely due to reduced food availability
following the summer drought. Monitoring at a long-term breeding site of
Carnaby's cockatoos in Western Australia's midwest region also
indicates a delayed start to the breeding season. This is also likely due to
low autumn rainfall and drought conditions affecting the flowering and fruiting
activity of some plant species that are food for black cockatoos.
(3) This
government is focused on reducing habitat loss. We have stopped pine harvesting
in the Gnangara state forest to retain 1 800 hectares of habitat for the
Carnaby's cockatoo in Perth's north-eastern suburbs. We have
also made the historic decision to end native logging in our forests, which
provide important habitat for the three black cockatoo species. Regarding the
immediate concern for Carnaby's cockatoos, we are prioritising the
support of those that are sick and injured and may be impacted by reduced food
resources. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is
providing additional support to the Perth Zoo veterinary department to ensure
it can provide treatment for sick birds and to specialised black cockatoo
rehabilitation centres to enable them to rehabilitate birds and release them back
to wild populations. DBCA is examining
issues affecting WA's black cockatoos as this breeding season continues and will consider any action that may be feasible to assist these species.
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