Protect, not abuse

Moreover, what sense does it make to send a few hundred researchers out to define that the black cockatoos are endangered if not enough is then done to protect the food sources?

Last year at the ECU campus in Joondalup, seven pine trees were cut to extend the Pine Theatre. While this happened, the cockatoos were hanging around and screaming.

In addition, why is ECU not building a multistorey car park instead of clearing more land and destroying trees that provide food, nesting and resting places for birds?

Last winter for the first time 14 black cockatoos ransacked the Rottnest pine trees in our backyard. The pine cones are very hard to crack and there is not much of food in them. The birds must have been desperate.

The Government promised to plant native trees to make sure that the black cockatoos had food. However, there is no sign of replanting. If you drive north on Wanneroo Road beyond Yanchep National Park, you see square kilometres of destroyed pine forest and no replanting.

The minister cannot be happy with the argument that enough is done to preserve the black cockatoos.

Let us protect all trees that are a food source for the birds and allow trees to be cut only after an alternative native food source has been establish and is ready to provide food.

I know that the present environmental laws, State and Federal, are not very helpful. Therefore, let us remake the laws.

We are not here to abuse nature but to protect it for the long-term benefit of all living creatures.

RAINER REPKE, Kallaroo