Two of Adelaide Zoo’s Palm Cockatoos are heading east to help raise national awareness on the plight of their wild cousins.
Adelaide Zoo is currently the only institution in Australia that houses these beautiful red and black birds, and is also the only zoo that has bred Palm Cockatoos in more than 20 years.
But this week, sisters Seisa and Hoppy will make the move to New South Wales in a bid to educate more Australian’s about the species in the wild.
Adelaide Zoo Senior Bird Keeper Chad Crittle said while these two birds would be missed by keepers and visitors alike, they will be spreading an important conservation message.
“We have been very lucky over the past years to be the only zoo working with Palm Cockatoos, but now we are proud to see Seisa and Hoppy spread their wings as national ambassador birds,” Chad said.
“Seisa was one of the very first chicks who hatched here in 2010 as part of our breeding program, with her sister Hoppy born the following year in 2011.
“Both girls are beautiful birds and a great example of our successful breeding, we’re sure they’ll do us proud interstate.”
Palm Cockatoos are one of the largest cockatoos to call Australia home. Their iconic bills are usual, as the upper and lower mandible do not touch, meaning a Palm Cockatoo can use its tongue to hold a nut in place and crack it open.
In the wild, this gorgeous bird is native to Cape York Peninsula in north Queensland, Aru Island, West Papuan and Iowland New Guinea.
But as with many rain forest dwelling species, the Palm Cockatoo is sadly threatened by deforestation and habitat loss.
While Seisa and Hoppy have flown the coop, Adelaide Zoo will still be home to the largest colony of Palm Cockatoos in captivity.
Good luck, Seisa and Hoppy!
