Minister makes major call on cockatoo stuck inside NSW Coles, shopping centre

Mickey the cockatoo has learned his fate after becoming trapped inside a NSW Coles for nearly a month.

The native bird made headlines after flying through the loading dock of a Coles in Marcarthur Square in Campbelltown, NSW, where he has remained for almost four weeks.

Quickly becoming a “friendly fixture” to locals, Mickey has since left the supermarket but remains flying around the shopping centre.

With limited recourses to capture and free the bird, concerned wildlife lovers were furious upon hearing there was a plan to acquire a license to shoot the bird, rather than working to release it back into the wild.

The rumour caused outcry from concerned wildlife lovers, who labelled the plan “absolutely ridiculous”.

“The common sense and right answer is so simple and they make it so difficult and make the wrong answer at the end of the day,” said Campbelltown local, Tom, who shared his horror with 2GB on Monday.

“What’s the harm in catching the bird and releasing it?”

Speaking to Bed Fordham on 2GB on Tuesday morning, NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe confirmed they would not be resorting to extreme measures to release the native bird.

“Mickey the cockatoo is not going to be shot,” she said.

“I have directed the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to find out how we can help Mickey and the team at Coles.”

The minister confirmed National Parks was in contact with the wildlife rescue groups and the staff in Coles to help rescue the native bird.

“Mickey will be freed,” Ms Sharpe said.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) explained there were an array of issues that prevented the rescue team to free the bird, however, since the native bird is protected by law, it’s exceedingly difficult to seek a solution to safely remove it from the shopping centre.

“Centre management and Coles have been advised by WIRES that the ceilings are too high to use a regular containment net and native animal rescuers are not legally permitted to use net guns under the NSW Prohibited Weapons Act,” a statement from WIRES read.

“As the bird has access to plenty of food within Coles and the food court, it is not possible to lure it into a cage using food. Nor is it safe to use a tranquilliser dart as the bird will fall from a height and potentially hurt itself – it also might not survive the effects of the tranquilliser.”

The spokesman for WIRES warned the public against feeding the bird, as it may result in further health complications.

“Food (bread etc) is also being left near the doors by the public, and although with all the best intentions, is actually harmful as it weakens their immune system and attracts them to the area,” they said.