The Department of Sustainability, Water, Environment, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) has released draft referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species. This is great news for Western Australian Environmental Impact Assessment as it provides a transparent forum for assessing the threats and potential impacts to black cockatoo populations.

The three species covered by the guidelines are:

- Carnaby's cockatoo (endangered)

- Baudin's cockatoo (vulnerable)

- Forest red-tailed black cockatoo (vulnerable) 

Major threats to the species include habitat fragmentation (as a result of land clearing), lack of nesting hollows, loss of native food source (due to urban development), poaching and competition from other species such as the Galah and Western Long-billed Corella. The proposed guidelines will ensure that these threats are managed.

Find the draft referral guidelines here. We look forward to the release of the final referral guideline as it will ensure progress towards the continuing survival of the species.

Are you motivated to support the species? Visit http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/carnabys-black-cockatoo-recovery/latest-news-cbc to help out.

Fact of the day: Black cockatoos are often partners for life.

Want to know more? Check out the following links:

 http://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-20120310-1uqmi.html

http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/carnabys-black-cockatoo-recovery

 http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6333/2361/

 http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/carnabys-black-cockatoo-in-trouble.htm

 http://www.colliemail.com.au/news/local/news/general/forester-blind-to-threats-schultz/2484785.aspx