Twenty-two Endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos will be released into the wild at Yanchep National Park tomorrow - the largest release of rehabilitated black cockatoos ever undertaken in WA. The flock of birds will be released by the Department of Environment and Conservation and wildlife rehabilitators from the Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre tomorrow - Tuesday, 6 May 2008 at 11.00am. DEC Nature Protection Branch Senior Investigator Rick Dawson said the rehabilitation and release of these endangered birds were important parts of the recovery plan for the species. "It will be a great sight watching the largest flock of rehabilitated white-tailed black cockatoos to be released into the wild." Mr Dawson said the Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre was a dedicated group of volunteers who work closely with DEC and the Perth Zoo specialising in the care of sick, injured and orphaned red-tailed black cockatoos and white-tailed black cockatoos, including Carnaby's and Baudin's cockatoos. "The centre and its staff are to be commended for their efforts in caring for wildlife," he said. "The work being done with black cockatoo rehabilitation has been amazing, with tremendous results. "The release will be a milestone and we are keen to keep track of the rehabilitated birds. Bands and microchips will be placed on the birds to monitor their progress and gauge the success of the release," he said. "DNA samples also have been taken to aid monitoring and identification programs for the species." "In the past 12 years 90 Carnaby's cockatoos have been released in small groups of up to 13, but this will be the largest flock to go at one time."

Carnaby's black cockatoos are an endangered species under both Western Australian and Commonwealth legislation. Threats to Carnaby's black cockatoos include loss of Habitat and shooting. They can occur in flocks of up to 300 birds.The number of white-tailed black cockatoos has declined in the past 50 years, due to a loss of habitat and a low rate of reproduction, which averages only 0.6 chicks per breeding pair per year. The species is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and individuals have a lifespan of between 25 and 50 years.