The status of cockatoos in south-west Western Australia and conservation efforts by Perth Zoo

Abstract

There are eight indigenous species (with two represented by two subspecies) and one introduced species of cockatoo in south-west Western Australia. Woodland clearance for agriculture has contracted the range of at least five species and fragmented the natural habitat across the region. Perth Zoo, in collaboration with the state conservation authority, private aviculturists and community groups, has developed a series of co-operative breeding programmes and education initiatives to protect local species of cockatoo and prevent further decline of wild populations. Detailed descriptions are given of the breeding requirements and threats which affect four species, Carnaby's cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris, Baudin's cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii, forest Red-tailed black cockatoo Calyptorhyn chus banksii naso and the southern subspecies of the Western long-billed corella Cacatua pastinator pas-tinator, and the contribution that the husbandry, education and captive-breeding activities at Perth Zoo make to the conservation of the species is described.