Five dead kea found near pass



A Carnaby's black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). (Credit: Wikimedia)
Pestilence, heat, and storms of almost biblical proportions have plagued Western Australia's most vulnerable parrots in recent years.
MURRARY WILSON/Manawatu Standard: Shot by a coward: Cocky the cockatoo is recovering at Massey University: after being shot in the Esplanade's aviary.
A "coward" is being blamed for the shooting of a cockatoo at the Palmerston North Esplanade's aviary.
The cockatoo, named Cocky, was shot in his cage earlier this week.
He was recovering from two bullet wounds at the Massey University Wildlife Centre yesterday.
Centre director Brett Gartrell said Cocky was doing well. "He's obviously sore, he's lost some blood."
Whoever had shot the bird a was "coward" and "idiot".
I pass you on the footpath as you walk your dog. You gaze at me with surprise and amusement, give a slightly patronising smile. Yes, I do have a cockatoo perched on my arm. He is indeed wearing a harness; tethered closely, like your canine friend, for safety. Don't stick your finger out, unless you want to get nipped by a sharp beak that has evolved for cracking nuts. Yep, I probably do have an unfortunate splotch staining my skirt. It washes out.