Sweetie success for rehab centre

Sweetie success for rehab centre

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Sweetie spent a year in rehabilitation at the centre after being shot. Photograph — Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre.
Sweetie spent a year in rehabilitation at the centre after being shot. Photograph — Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre.

A Baudin’s black cockatoo called Sweetie has been seen alive and well 10 months after being released from Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, where it recovered from a gunshot wound to the head.

The bird had been banded by Department of Parks and Wildlife officers in Glen Forrest in November 2013 when he was about three.

A year later the bird was found with a gunshot wound to the head with a pellet lodged behind his left eye.

After being handed into Perth Zoo for treatment he spent a year rehabilitating at Kaarakin in Martin, where he was given the name Sweetie.

Sweetie was released into the wild at a Carnaby’s super roost in Kensington last year and was spotted back in Glen Forrest recently.

Kaarakin volunteer fundraising coordinator Lisa Kunze said Sweetie had been a success story for the centre.

The not-for-profit organisation is supported through sponsorships and donations from the public as well as fundraising events such as its biannual tour days, which will next be held on May 14 and 15.

The tour day will include the chance to meet emus, kangaroos, dingoes and black cockatoos.

It will be held at the centre at 322 Mills Road East, Martin with each tour running for about an hour between 8am and 11am.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $7 for children aged five to 15 years and $40 for families of two adults and three children.

Bookings are essential, call 0403 920 605 or 9390 2228 or email fundraising@kaarakin.com.