Local hero for Cranaby’s Cockatoo protection identified, Gardiner
Author: Philip Gardiner
Published on: 04-April-2011
Regional communities work hard to manage the natural resources of their area. One of these natural resources is the shy Carnaby’s Cockatoo whose feeding, nesting and social habits have a particular interest to well known Moora resident and passionate Carnaby’s Cockatoo supporter Mr Wally Kerkhoff, to whom the Hon Philip Gardiner MLC has lent support in this regard.
Mr Gardiner said “Mr Kerkhoff has developed a wealth of practical knowledge gained from over 40 years as a voluntary conservationist and is keen to work with government and private conservationists across the region to reduce the threat to the Carnaby’s Cockatoo”.
Mr Kerkhoff has recently raised a day old Carnaby’s Cockatoo chick, wrongly taken from a nest in the Moora townsite, which he has called ‘Kiwi’ to the point that Kiwi is nearly ready for release into the wild adult population which visits Mr Kerkhoff’s home during the breeding season. They visit to supplement the feed missing due to the loss of native vegetation. Mr Kerkhoff is concerned to manage the ‘humanising’ impact as he returns to the young bird to the wild. He plans to slowly release Kiwi into the local Moora population of this endangered species in the hope that Kiwi’s long term future will result in the return to Moora each year to breed.
Mr Gardiner said that “Supplementary feeding of our natural wildlife, as Mr Kerkhoff has by necessity successfully perfected can be hazardous to our wildlife due to the often complex dietary requirements. However,Mr Kerkhoff has garnered support for his supplementary feeding from various organisations and individuals and his work has resulted in the Moora Carnaby’s population increasing in numbers as the parents are able to successfully raise their chicks. Feeding outside of the breeding season is not carried out.
Mr Gardiner said “the aim of rehabilitation of injured or orphaned native species is to return them to the wild and there are a number of experienced wildlife rehabilitators in Western Australia, to find your nearest wildlife rehabilitator call the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.
Mr Kerkhoff said “it is illegal to keep native birds, reptiles and many Australian animals without Government registration and for particular advice to contact the nearest Department of Environment and Conservation Office located at Jurien Bay on 9652 1911.”
