SAVE the Endangered Species Carnaby's Black Cockatoos in Pinjar !

BE THE VOICE FOR THE BLACK COCKATOO!!!

We are sending this petition to dpc.wa.gov.au at admin@dpc.wa.gov.au including regular updates as each supporter signs.

The habitat of the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoo is about to be destroyed in Pinjar under a proposed State Government Plan, despite the habitat being home to up to 5000 cockatoos. This will devastate and potentially decimate their population and endanger the Caranby's Black Cockatoo population even further into decline.

The Carnaby's Black Cockatoo is an identified threatened species as documented by the Australian Department of the Environment  see http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/factsheet-carnabys-black-cockatoo-calyptorhynchus-latirostris

There are a number of threats facing Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo however one of the primary threats documented by the Department of the Environment on their website is the first threat listed as being: "Habitat fragmentation, particularly in the northern and eastern areas of the Wheatbelt. Most habitat suitable for breeding and feeding in the Wheatbelt has been cleared entirely or fragmented. In addition, clearing of heathland surrounding breeding sites has reduced the survival rate of fledglings by decreasing the available food sources for the young."

So in light of this knowledge being well documented since 2004, why would the WA State Government destroy the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo habitat and threaten this species even further?

Here is the original newspaper article about the proposed State Government plan, as it appears  in the WANNEROO TIMES by in Laura Pond | Published May 10, 2016, 1:00 AM available online http://www.communitynews.com.au/news/Pinjar:-nearly-5000-Carnabys-black-cockatoos-to-be-cleared-under-State-Govt-plan/7686894 ~

"A ‘MEGA ROOST’ of Carnaby’s black cockatoos discovered in Pinjar will be cleared under a State Government plan. An unprecedented flock of nearly 5000 cockatoos was discovered in Pinjar pine plantation during BirdLife Australia’s annual Great Cocky Count in April. Project co-ordinator Adam Peck said the previous highest count was 1500 cockatoos in a single roost area, far less than this year’s tally of 4897 in an area north of Old Yanchep Road. “It was quite an event for us,” he said. This habitat forms part of the 23,000ha of pine plantations to be removed under the State Government’s draft Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million. The Gnangara, Yanchep and Pinjar pine plantations will be cleared, with 5000ha of pines to be replanted in Yanchep. “There will be a huge net loss of the Carnaby’s roosting habitat,” Mr Peck said. “We know how to save the Carnaby’s and it’s all about saving their habitat, but the plan will reduce their habitat by 50 per cent.” He said under the plan, the cockatoos’ population around Perth was expected to decline by half. “The fate of the entire population of Carnaby’s black cockatoos around Perth is now in the balance,” he said. “The plan would see large areas of pine plantations removed and these plantations are crucial for the survival of the species.” But Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the population decline would be “far greater” without the plan. “All the statistics and studies show that the species is already in significant decline,” he said. “We think we can slow down and stop the decline.” Mr Jacob said the pine plantations were a drain on the Gnangara Mound, affecting other wildlife including the critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoise. “You can’t do conservation for one species alone,” he said. “The pine trees are the greatest environmental problem we have in the northern suburbs.” Despite the plantation clearing, he said it would create 170,000ha of new conservation reserves in the Perth and Peel regions. “This is the largest in any city anywhere in the world ever,” he said. “It creates a large, cohesive and coherent conservation site.” But the expected loss of cockatoos was “not good enough” according to Mr Peck, and an alternative plan was needed. He suggested a “compromise” would be to replace the pines with banksia woodland. “Modelling shows there would be significant recharge of the aquifer and it would also provide habitat for species such as the Carnaby’s.” Public submissions for the plan close on May 13; visit dpc.wa.gov.au. "

~ 

Further to this it is documented on the ABC News website in a story dated 2014 that "The iconic Carnaby's black cockatoo may die out in the Perth region within 15 years, a report has found, prompting calls for the state and federal governments to protect remaining habitats." See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-25/carnabys-black-cockatoos-threatened-with-extinction-in-perth/5695710

SO WHY IS THE STATE GOVERNMENT SEEMINGLY IGNORING THESE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT WITH THE CURRENT PROPOSAL?

ANOTHER WAY MUST BE FOUND FORWARD WHICH PROTECTS THE HABITAT OF THE CARNABY'S BLACK COCKATOO IN PINJAR!

We URGENTLY need your signature to save the nesting habitats of the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo TODAY!!!!

If you LOVE and want to SAVE the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo  - please sign and share.

Read recent media articles here:

1] 'Pinjar: petition calls on State Govt to protect ‘mega roost’ of Carnaby’s black cockatoos', Reporter Laura Pond 14 June 2016, Published in the North Coast Times: http://www.communitynews.com.au/north-coast-times/news/pinjar-petition-calls-on-state-govt-to-protect-mega-roost-of-carnabys-black-cockatoos/

2] 'Carnaby’s black cockatoos: residents still needling on pine plantation removal' Reporter Laura Pond 14 June 2016, Published in the Joondulup Times: http://www.communitynews.com.au/joondalup-times/news/carnabys-black-cockatoos-residents-still-needling-on-pine-plantation-removal/

Image: Supplied by Birdlife Australia from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-25/carnabys-black-cockatoos-threatened-with-extinction-in-perth/5695710