Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary protects rare bird from breeders offering tens of thousands of dollars

A Tasmanian wildlife sanctuary has rejected offers of tens of thousands of dollars from bird breeders to buy a rare yellow-tailed black cockatoo with unusual yellow colouring.

‘Tweety’ was found in poor condition by the side of the road and taken in by the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary earlier this year.

Sanctuary Director Greg Irons says the bird’s unusual colouring is caused by a genetic mutation called leucism, which makes Tweety too vulnerable to potential predators to be released back into the wild.

He said native animals should not be sold and confirmed the bird will remain at the sanctuary, where she could stay for 80 years.

Irons said Tweety will be desexed.

“[Offers to buy] always happens with any rare bird,” he said. “Not something we would entertain anyways. People don’t realise the laws some times.”

The Tasmanian Nature Conservation Wildlife Regulations make buying or selling specially protected wildlife illegal and carries a maximum fine of $20,200.