The threatened pink cockatoo is one of several wildlife species bouncing back in the aftermath of January’s fires in Wyperfeld National Park with the aid of Parks Victoria staff.

Pine Plains, north-west of Hopetoun, is the largest Victorian breeding site for pink cockatoos, with January’s fires burning an estimated 70 per cent of the nesting landscape, including large areas of mature slender cypress pine.

Parks Victoria Northern Mallee Area chief ranger Bradd Baldock said mature canopy trees were vital for pink cockatoos, which depend on them for food and nesting hollows.

In a place where old trees and natural hollows were already limited, a loss of habitat in the bushfires had an immediate impact on the birds.

“This is very significant for the pink cockies,” Mr Baldock said.

“It’s one of their main nesting places, in a significant area of semi-arid woodland that is really struggling to survive after multiple fires in that landscape.”

Slender cypress pines form large hollows suitable for pink cockatoo only after about 85 years of growth, with the birds’ preferred tree age at about 130 years.

Of the 233 large old-habitat trees recorded in Pine Plains before the fire, 173 perished – taking 145 hollows with them and leaving fewer safe places for cockatoo nesting and breeding in the seasons ahead.

To help fill the gap, Parks Victoria crews and contractors are carving new hollows into standing trees and installing artificial nest hollows.

Mr Baldock said the work came at a critical time, with competition for nesting sites intensifying as galahs move into available hollows and feed on slender cypress pine seeds – one of the pink cockatoo’s most important food sources.

Mr Baldock said unlike galahs, pink cockatoos had fewer nesting and food options, making targeted control efforts an important part of helping the species recover.

“Works are currently underway and planned to maximise the availability of hollows for the 2026 breeding season,” he said.

Parks Victoria Southern Mallee Area chief ranger Will Trimble said pink cockatoos were quickly exploring new hollows as they were completed, with some even flying close to investigate as workers were completing them.

Mr Trimble said it was an encouraging sign.

“Parks Victoria rangers are doing their best to help native animals and plants recover from the fires,” he said.

“Pink cockatoos are one of the highlights of Wyperfeld National Park, and we want to see them thrive.”

The entire July 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire July 29, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!