A cockatoo stuck inside NSW Coles, shopping centre has been freed

Mickey the cockatoo who has been trapped inside a NSW Coles supermarket for nearly a month has finally been freed.

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

But on Tuesday afternoon, NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe announced Mickey had been safely removed from the shopping centre.

“I’m delighted to let you know that Mickey the cockatoo has been safely captured by wildlife rescuers after spending way too long in Macarthur Square,” she said.

“Mickey is being assessed by experts. We hope Mickey will be flying free by tomorrow.

“Thank you to everyone who rallied to help Mickey – including staff at Coles, Sydney Wildlife Service, WIRES and the team at NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.”

Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB on Tuesday morning, the minister said 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.”

A spokesperson for the shopping centre owner Lendlease said they we’re trying to find a way to free Mickey.

“We’re working with Coles and NSW National Parks & Wildlife to find a solution that balances the health and safety of customers and our native wildlife.”

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) said there were a number of issues preventing the rescue team from freeing the bird.

“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 said.

“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.