Every year, wild rainbow lorikeets that are taken to veterinary clinics and wildlife rehabilitation organisations in Western Australia are routinely euthanised as part of efforts to manage this introduced species.

Rainbow lorikeet fledglings naturally spend a period on the ground while developing their flight skills and continue to be fed and cared for by their parents during this stage. Because they are unable to fly well, members of the public may mistake these healthy juvenile birds for being injured or abandoned and take them to veterinary clinics or wildlife carers when intervention may not be necessary.

In addition, some rainbow lorikeets with injuries or illnesses that may be treatable are euthanised because current management policies do not allow for an alternative to euthanasia, even when recovery may otherwise have been possible.

While we recognise the importance of protecting Western Australia's unique native wildlife and support evidence-based environmental management, we believe there should be an independent review of whether healthy and suitable rainbow lorikeets could be safely rehomed instead of routinely being euthanised.

We are not asking for unrestricted ownership or the release of wild-caught birds. Instead, we are asking the Western Australian Government to investigate a tightly regulated trial of licensed rehoming where suitable rainbow lorikeets are:

• Assessed by veterinarians for health and disease.

• Placed only with appropriately licensed and approved keepers.

• Registered through an appropriate licensing and identification system.

• Kept in secure aviaries or indoor enclosures with strict conditions to prevent escape.

We also encourage improved public education about the natural behaviour of juvenile rainbow lorikeets so that people can better recognise when a bird genuinely requires assistance and when it is safest to leave it with its parents. Increasing public awareness could reduce unnecessary admissions of healthy fledglings.

This approach could improve animal welfare while continuing to protect Western Australia's environment and biosecurity.

We respectfully ask the Western Australian Government to commission an independent scientific review into the feasibility of trialling licensed rehoming as an alternative to euthanasia for suitable rainbow lorikeets.

Please sign this petition if you believe healthy and treatable birds deserve the opportunity for a second chance where this can be achieved safely, responsibly, and without compromising Western Australia's unique environment.