In a world first, Perth Zoo has teamed up with researchers at Murdoch University and other agencies to track endangered Carnaby’s cockatoos in the southwest of Western Australia.

The field study involves using state-of-the-art technology developed in the Netherlands that will provide insight into threats to the endangered species.

The Black Cockatoo Tracking and Ecology project is funded by Newmont Boddington Gold, South 32, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth Zoo and PTI Architecture and involves intensive tracking and data capture, which will monitor Carnaby’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoos over a five-year period.

Uniquely numbered leg bands, coloured leg bands, satellite transmitters and solar powered UvA-BiTs GPS trackers have been fitted to birds by the research team. This is a world first combined tracking method for a parrot species. This allows the research team to follow the birds during the long term project and gain a better understanding of their habitat use across their distribution range.

“We know from our previous releases and earlier studies that the birds will join wild flocks, and by following the wild flocks, we’re able to better understand the ecology of the species,” said Associate Professor Kris Warren of Murdoch University’s School of Veterinary and Life Sciences.

Carnaby Cockatoos being released Credit Keith Lightbody

“By tracking black cockatoos from as far north as Jurien right down to Esperance, we will be able to identify critical feeding and breeding habitat and how the birds move within those landscapes.”

“The tracking data will make an invaluable and unique contribution to decision-making about the conservation management efforts to save Western Australia’s threatened black cockatoos.”

Researches will receive valuable data every 10 minutes thanks to the back mounted GPS transmitter. The birds will also carry a tail mounted satellite tag, with data gathered around eight times a day.

“The accelerometer GPS tracker allows us to get a three dimensional reading of the bird’s activity at any time, providing us with detailed fine-scaled information,” said Dr Jill Shephard, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences.

“We know exactly where they are and what they are doing from the tracking data and our research team spends a lot of time in the field following the flocks and visually observing the birds. Across the life of the project we will generate huge amounts of data – which is a research students dream.”

The Black Cockatoo Tracking and Ecology project is being undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth Zoo, the University of Amsterdam, BirdLife Australia and Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre.

On average, Perth Zoo treats approximately 300 wild black cockatoos annually, many of which have been struck by vehicles or illegally shot.

Author: Peta Eddy – Media and Communications Assistant