WA Cockatoos benefit from new purpose-built facility

Western Australian Environment Minister Donna Faragher has opened new state-of-the-art facilities for the rehabilitation of endangered black cockatoos in suburban Perth.

Minister Faragher said the $340,000 purpose-built building and enclosure at the Native Animal Rescue (NAR) Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Malaga was a major step forward for the conservation of Carnaby's black cockatoos, stating "this new facility will diversify the facilities available for Carnaby's black cockatoo rehabilitation in Western Australia and will further safeguard the species by limiting the spread of potential disease."

The facilities were funded by Lotterywest and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) through the Fiona Stanley Hospital project.

The Minister also opened a $140,000 Lotterywest-funded mammal enclosure to house critically endangered woylies as part of a combined DEC, Murdoch University and Australian Wildlife Conservancy research project, adding "management of threatened species is a complex issue that requires a great deal of research and a co-ordinated approach.

"I recently established the Threatened Species Council to improve collaboration in research and on-ground activities needed to protect endangered species.

"The research undertaken at these new facilities will add to the body of knowledge available to those who are working to protect WA's threatened species."

For more information go to www.nativeanimalrescue.org.au/NativeAnimals/wildcare.aspx 

2nd October 2010 - $20 MILLION BOOST FOR CONSERVATION AND NATURE-BASED TOURISM IN WA 

19th May 2010 - WORLD-CLASS CONSERVATION FACILITY AT WHITEMAN PARK