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Environmental advocates have delivered a serious alert that continued destruction of WA’s ancient woodlands for bauxite mining will push the endangered rare cockatoo species "to and beyond the brink of extinction."

Critical Decision for Future

Mark Henryon, who has long advocated campaigning for enhanced conservation of what he calls the state’s "forgotten" black cockatoo, said there is a definitive decision that will determine the species’ fate. "Baudin’s or bauxite – we can’t have both," he stated.

The dark-feathered, white-cheeked cockatoo, recognizable for its squeaky gate-like call, is native exclusively to the southwestern region of Western Australia.

Distinct Characteristics

In contrast to the higher profile related species, the Baudin’s cockatoo has a more slender beak, which operates like a surgical tool to extract seeds from marri nuts without damaging the entire nut.

In recent years, BirdLife WA proposed the cockatoo for elevated status to highest threat level under local laws, after research indicated the number of birds had dropped dramatically over the past 40 years.

Although international bodies like the International Union for Conservation of Nature list the species as critically endangered, the state’s threatened species scientific committee rejected the proposal, citing insufficient data.

Growing Pressures

Conservationists now fear the cockatoo is under greater pressure than ever due to planned expansions of bauxite mining in the key habitat area.

Mining corporation Alcoa has two proposals that would destroy more than 11,000 hectares of the already heavily mined forest—equivalent to bulldozing Perth’s Kings Park 27.5 times over.

Another metals company, South32, has also been given the green light by authorities to remove over 3,800 hectares for the expansion of its mining operation.

Essential Environment

The birds rely on old trees and hollows in the northern jarrah forest south-east of Perth as their key seasonal home.

The majority of these cockatoos breed in the remote southwestern area and migrate to feed in the northern jarrah forest between autumn and spring each year.

Extractive industries in the area have a long history of what the Conservation Council of WA describes as "strip mining"—removing all vegetation to reach the bauxite underneath.

"Pictures show of vast cleared areas, and there will be only a single tree remaining," said the council’s executive director.

Roberts emphasized that to ensure the species’ survival, "it’s vital to stop forest extraction and clearing of forests for mining."

"These tree hollows can take hundreds of years to form. They’re in very old trees. They cannot be restored or brought back at the speed that the Baudin’s requires."

Public Response

The EPA recently initiated Alcoa’s proposals for public feedback—marking the initial occasion in 60 years that the community has had the chance to scrutinize the mining activities in the area.

The consultation received more than 59,000 submissions—the record volume in such a process. The vast majority were template responses from an coordinated effort, and the EPA noted that the sheer number demonstrated widespread concern in the assessment.

Irreversible Consequences

In its formal response to the authority, the conservation group said additional extraction in the global biodiversity hotspot would have "permanent and devastating" effects for native avian species, including the Baudin’s, Carnaby’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoo.

The group warned that the Baudin’s would become functionally extinct within five decades or sooner if the mining projects proceed.

Much of the planned deforestation is in the highest quality habitat, which include ancient forest stands.

Company Response

An company representative said the corporation believes environmental factors should be "carefully evaluated and responsibly managed in alongside development activities necessary to meet global demand, largely driven by climate goals."

"At existing and future sites, we have avoidance measures in place to safeguard ecologically sensitive zones," they noted.

The representative said proposed mitigation measures include protecting nesting sites and creating protected perimeters around them.

Local Identity

Henryon reflected that the cockatoos are so familiar to locals, "we almost take them for granted."

"They’re a common sight; they are woven into the region’s character. Can we accept their disappearance?" he questioned.

"If we want to protect them, we need to look after their homes. If we’re truly committed, we actually have to do something."