The spotlight was on Murdoch University’s black cockatoo researchers recently at the world premiere of the documentary Black Cockatoo Crisis.
Telling the devastating story of the decline of Western Australia's iconic black cockatoos, the film showcases research being conducted by Murdoch’s Black Cockatoo Conservation Management Project which is critical to the survivorship of WA’s three species: Carnaby’s; Baudin’s; and forest red-tailed.
The documentary follows the journeys of PhD candidates Molly Spaulding and Zoe Kissane as they track flocks of black cockatoos to gather valuable ecological and health data.
Throughout the film, producer/director Jane Hammond, a Fremantle local, draws heavily on the scientific expertise of Professor Kris Warren and Dr Jill Shepherd from Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute and School of Veterinary Medicine.
The inclusion was critical to the narrative and added scientific credibility to the advocacy work of the conservation groups and individuals also highlighted.
Ornithologist, science educator, and Murdoch PhD student, Simon Cherriman, is also featured in the film.
A long-time advocate for black cockatoos, he has been building nest boxes for many years and earlier in 2022 released a book, ‘Hollowed Out?’, a story of tree-hollows, habitat loss and how nest-boxes can help wildlife in south-western Australia.
Mr Cherriman and Professor Warren contributed significantly to a panel discussion at the conclusion of the premiere, offering advice, insight, and hope for the future.
Professor Warren also spoke about Murdoch’s new community engagement project, Keep Carnaby's Flying - Ngoolarks Forever, a collaboration between the Harry Butler Institute, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, local governments and community groups.
The entire Murdoch team embraced the opportunity to be involved with the film which provided an important avenue to share their research with the general public and demonstrated the positive impact they are making through innovation and commitment to sustainability.
Murdoch’s inclusion in the documentary shone a light on the University, its researchers, and importantly, the birds they are working to save from extinction.
Black Cockatoo Crisis is screening for a limited season at Luna Cinemas in Leederville before sessions at metropolitan outdoor cinemas, across the state and Australia.
An impact documentary, the premiere also launched the Save the Black Cockatoos campaign which seeks to increase government and community recognition of the dire circumstances of WA’s black cockatoos and generate support before they become extinct, which could happen in just 20 years.