PERTH Zoo is doing what it can to educate the public about the plight of black cockatoos.
Two of the hand-raised birds at the zoo who are used for educational purposes are Vic the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and Pepe the Baudin’s Cockatoo.
Speaking during National Bird Day on January 5, keeper Emily Trainer said Vic and Pepe were ambassador birds who gave the public the chance to learn about the species.
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READ NOW“We have school groups that come in to learn about black cockatoos with Vic and Pepe, they fly around and have health checks too,” she said.
“The zoo is hoping to spread the message that these birds are endangered and for more people to learn about them.”
Ms Trainer said the zoo had been running operative conditioning work to keep them mentally and physically healthy.
“They are really intelligent birds and they learn very quickly,” she said.
“They are absolutely super, duper fun to work with and they have different personalities.
“Pepe loves food and he’ll do everything he can to get sunflower seeds while Vic loves company and he’ll sit next to you.”
Two of the three species of black cockatoos found in WA are endangered, being the Baudin’s and Carnaby’s Cockatoos.
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