Endangered WA Cockatoos Face a Widespread Pesticide Threat from Grain Spills

Scientists tracking Carnaby’s black cockatoos in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt over three breeding seasons found pesticides in about 80% of seed samples from feeding sites near grain silos, with some samples hundreds of times above legal limits and 26 pesticides detected including neurotoxic chemicals. GPS data showed birds repeatedly visiting contaminated feeding areas, linking exposure to CHiPS (Carnaby’s Hindlimb Paralysis Syndrome). The study calls for a review of Australian pesticide regulations and suggests simple industry changes, like better grain handling and spill cleanup at silos, to reduce wildlife exposure.