Black cockatoos take flight with tracking devices

• Six rehabilitated Carnaby's cockatoos released at Perry Lakes
• Satellite tracking devices fitted to black cockatoos for research in an Australian first

Six rehabilitated Carnaby's cockatoos have been successfully released back into their natural habitat after being fitted with satellite tracking devices to monitor their movements for research.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said data gathered from the devices would be closely monitored to examine the dispersal and movement patterns of Carnaby's on the Swan Coastal Plain.

Mr Marmion attended the release at Perry Lakes yesterday along with staff from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and wildlife volunteers from the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre and Native Animal Rescue.

"In addition to the tracking devices, the cockatoos also had their tail feathers marked with non-toxic blue paint and a black letter to assist with an ongoing research project by University of Western Australia PhD student Christine Groom," he said.

"This is the second successful release of rehabilitated cockatoos in Perth in the past two months and there are plans to release several more Carnaby's with satellite tracking devices in Yanchep National Park next week. The more we can learn about the distribution of this endangered species, the better informed we will be to help manage their recovery."

The Minister also announced the release of a new publication, On a Wing and a Prayer, which is based on a highly acclaimed ABC documentary of the same name that follows the life cycle of a family of Carnaby's cockatoos.

"The book is a valuable educational resource about the plight of Carnaby's and the threats they face," he said.

"Producing educational materials such as this book helps raise awareness about the endangered species within the community."

      Fact File

• To report a sighting of a tail-marked black cockatoo phone DEC on 0409 087 631 or email christine.groom@dec.wa.gov.au with the location details
• Black cockatoo numbers have fallen by half over the past 45 years with wild populations of Carnaby's now estimated at about 40,000
• On a Wing and a Prayer was written by Leighton De Barros and is available from the DEC and ABC shops

Minister's office- 6552 6800

Photographs courtesy of DEC