Tuesday, 22 July 2025
22 / 07 / 2025 PERTH WA – The WA Government has rejected a science-backed nomination to upgrade the conservation status of Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo from Endangered to Critically Endangered – despite overwhelming evidence that the species is in freefall.
BirdLife WA says the decision shows that science is being sidelined, the precautionary principle ignored, and the system meant to protect threatened species is failing.
“Baudin’s will be gone within 50 years – if not sooner,” said Dr Mark Henryon, BirdLife WA spokesperson. “This decision is a death knell for the species.”
In 2023, BirdLife WA formally nominated Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo for uplisting under the WA Biodiversity Conservation Act, backed by expert research and citizen science showing a 90% population decline over three generations.
Yet the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) rejected the nomination, citing insufficient data across the species’ entire range. The decision took over 18 months, despite the committee acknowledging its concern for the species’ status and threats.
“The birds will vanish while the government argues over data,” said Dr Henryon. “The International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Action Plan for Australian Birds, and BirdLife International have all accepted the evidence and listed Baudin’s as Critically Endangered. But WA – the state Baudin’s call home – still won’t.”
BirdLife WA is calling on the WA Minister for Environment, Hon Matthew Swinbourn, to:
“Will WA Premier Roger Cook and Minister Swinbourn accept responsibility for the extinction of Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo – denying future generations their natural heritage and First Nations people their cultural heritage?” asks Dr Henryon.
The outdated Endangered listing means weaker legal protection, smaller offsets, and less scrutiny of habitat destruction as pressure from bauxite mining mounts.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo habitat overlaps heavily with mining operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest. The Northern Jarrah Forest is part of the Southwest Australia biodiversity hotspot – one of only 36 global regions recognised for high endemism and critical threat.
Right now, Alcoa plans to clear 7,500 hectares of Jarrah Forest in the Perth Hills, destroying an area equivalent to over 3,400 football ovals worth of core cockatoo habitat. Its operations will impact another 16,400 hectares, with over 200,000 hectares under active exploration.
“Aluminium – the world’s most abundant metal – is driving Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo to extinction by destroying their home in one of the world’s most unique biodiversity hotspots,” said Dr Henryon.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo is one of Australia’s most iconic forest birds and one of the fastest disappearing.
Its population is collapsing, its habitat is vanishing, and governments are dragging their feet.
“No one can credibly say Baudin’s are safe,” said Dr Henryon. “If the system won’t act now, what’s it waiting for – zero birds left?”
With as few as 2,500 to 4,000 mature individuals remaining, Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo has lost critical breeding sites, foraging habitat, and roosts to well-known threats – including habitat clearing, loss of nesting hollows, fire, illegal shooting, vehicle strikes, and climate extremes.
Its survival now depends on legislative integrity, political courage, and a genuine commitment to conservation.
“We know what’s driving the decline. We know what’s needed to stop it. Unless the system changes, Baudin’s will be lost – and so will the Jarrah Forests it calls home.”
BirdLife WA (08 9383 7749 / wa@birdlife.org.au)
Mark Henryon / Viv Read
BirdLife WA is the state branch for BirdLife Australia. BirdLife Australia aims to provide a bright future for Australian birds. We have 13,000 members and over 330,000 supporters nationally.
What a Critically Endangered (CR) listing triggers
When a species is formally listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under WA or national law, it activates stronger conservation protections, including:
Tougher project assessments. CR species are subject to stricter environmental scrutiny under both WA and Commonwealth law.
Higher offset requirements. Developers often face larger or more costly offset obligations when clearing habitat for CR-listed species.
Lower impact thresholds. Even small or indirect impacts may trigger federal referral under the EPBC Act.
Priority for recovery planning and funding. CR species are fast-tracked for recovery plans, habitat protection, and research support.
Greater legal and public accountability. Approvals in CR habitat face higher legal risk, community attention, and potential for challenge.
Read the full release as pdf here.
See the infographic below and as pdf here.
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