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Environmental advocates have delivered a stark alert that continued clearing of Western Australia’s ancient woodlands for bauxite mining will drive the threatened rare cockatoo species "to the edge of survival."

Critical Decision for Future

Mark Henryon, who has spent years campaigning for enhanced conservation of what he calls the overlooked native bird, said there is a clear choice that will determine the species’ fate. "Baudin’s or bauxite – we can’t have both," he remarked.

The dark-feathered, white-cheeked cockatoo, known 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 has a more slender beak, which operates like a precision instrument to retrieve kernels from native fruit leaving intact the entire nut.

In recent years, BirdLife WA nominated the species for elevated status to critically endangered under state legislation, after studies indicated the population had dropped dramatically over the last four decades.

Although global organizations like the IUCN list the Baudin’s as critically endangered, the local experts rejected the nomination, citing insufficient data.

Growing Pressures

Conservationists now fear the cockatoo is under increased threat than ever due to proposed extensions of bauxite mining in the key habitat area.

Aluminum producer Alcoa has expansion plans that would destroy more than 11,000 hectares of the long-exploited forest—equivalent to repeatedly clearing a landmark area.

Another mining firm, South32, has also been granted approval by state and federal governments to remove over 9,400 acres for the growth of its Worsley Alumina bauxite mine.

Essential Environment

Baudin’s black cockatoos rely on ancient tree cavities in the Darling Range habitat south-east of Perth as their key seasonal home.

The majority of these cockatoos nest in the remote southwestern area and travel seasonally to forage in the woodland region between autumn and spring each year.

Mining companies in the area have a track record of what the Conservation Council of WA describes as "strip mining"—removing all vegetation to access the ore below.

"Pictures show of vast cleared areas, and there will be one tree left," said Matt Roberts.

Roberts stated 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 develop. They’re in very old trees. They cannot be restored or brought back at the speed that the Baudin’s requires."

Community Involvement

The state’s Environmental Protection Authority recently initiated the mining plans for public feedback—marking the initial occasion in six decades that the public has had the opportunity to review the mining activities in the area.

The consultation received more than 59,000 submissions—the record volume in such a procedure. Nearly 90% were template responses from an organized campaign, and the EPA noted that the record volume highlighted widespread concern in the evaluation.

Irreversible Consequences

In its submission to the authority, BirdLife WA said additional extraction in the global biodiversity hotspot would have "permanent and devastating" consequences for Western Australia’s birds, including the Baudin’s, Carnaby’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoo.

The organization warned that the Baudin’s would become functionally extinct within 50 years or even earlier if the mining projects proceed.

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

Company Response

An Alcoa spokesperson said the corporation believes ecological considerations should be "purposefully considered and handled with care in conjunction with industrial operations necessary to meet global demand, largely driven by climate goals."

"At existing and future sites, we have protective steps in place to safeguard areas of high conservation value," they noted.

The representative said proposed mitigation measures include protecting nesting sites and establishing buffer zones around them.

Local Identity

Henryon commented 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 asked.

"To ensure their survival, we need to preserve their habitat. If we’re fair dinkum about this, we must take action now."