![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/b921491f8b967a42d276541247135f1ade50253c360dc3f76ba4f0de7c6f5483.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nHe said the committee acknowledged a decline in habitat quality and distribution, but also noted gaps in data across the full range of the species, and he accepted that advice in line with the requirements of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Baudin\u2019s black cockatoo eating a gumnut.Credit: Keith Lightbody<\/p>\n
However, BirdLife WA spokesperson Viv Read said the population estimates in its nomination were informed by research from former WA Museum ornithology curator Ron Johnstone and Tony Kirkby, also formerly of the museum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the committee has decided twice not to make this a critically endangered species, and we understand it is industry \u2013 broadly speaking the mining industry \u2013 that is proposing the data is inadequate,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
He said it was hard to avoid the conclusion the cockatoos were critically endangered, when combining the knowledge of species\u2019 sensitivity and slow breeding rates, its plummeting population numbers, and the cumulative impact of multiple major mining operations fragmenting forests it relied on, with attempts to rehabilitate<\/a> unsuccessful.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Environmental Protection Act invokes the precautionary principle: which is that if you don\u2019t know, don\u2019t take the chance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the government proceeds with business as usual, the Baudin\u2019s will be functionally extinct in 50 years, meaning there might be a few in captive populations, but it will not exist in its own environment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe focus has always been on Carnaby\u2019s [cockatoos] but the Baudin\u2019s is quite a different species \u2026 less easy to observe and differentiate. It is a shadow species that is slipping into the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n BirdLife WA urged Swinbourn to review the decision, release the scientific reasoning behind it, upgrade the status in line with global authorities, and pause clearing approvals in Baudin\u2019s habitat.<\/p>\n Alcoa<\/a>, South32 and Newmont<\/a> are all planning major expansions of their operations in the northern jarrah forest.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n Swinbourn said the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions was working with the Commonwealth to finalise updated recovery plans for WA\u2019s three endangered black cockatoo species which would be released for public comment.<\/p>\n He said organisations such as BirdLife played a valuable role in contributing to the public conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir advocacy reflects a strong commitment to protecting native birds, and I welcome their continued engagement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n