BIRDWORLD has completed several new homes for threatened yellow-crested and citron cockatoos.

The 26-acre wildlife park just outside Farnham hopes the new aviaries will educate and raise awareness of the rapid decline of critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoos in the wild.

With less than 3,000 individuals left in their native habitat, the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo is only one step away from total extinction in the wild.

This species has faced an extremely rapid decline due to several factors including illegal trapping for the wild bird trade, habitat loss due to deforestation and unpredictable weather in breeding season.

The yellow-crested cockatoo has six subspecies and all of them are considered threatened.

Consequently, the captive population in zoos across the globe will be of high importance should the wild population decrease further.

To help protect the cockatoos for the future, Birdworld will be taking part in a number of conservation initiatives which will continue with a captive breeding plan and assisting in the genetic and biometric analysis of the individual cockatoos residing at Birdworld

The park will also continue to increase awareness and raise funds for this species through the Birdworld Conservation Fund.

Duncan Bolton, Birdworld curator, said: “We’re delighted that the first stage of our newest aviaries for citron and yellow-crested cockatoos is now complete.

“The conservation of this amazing species is of great importance for the biodiversity of many Indonesian islands and with these new aviaries we hope to continue to inform our visitors of their plight and support conservation actions across the region.

“Alongside educating our visitors this year, we also hope that our extensive genetic and biometric analysis of the cockatoos at Birdworld will assist worldwide conservation efforts.

“The team will collect important data which will help in the establishment of viable captive populations of each of the subspecies, and the eventual survival of each in the wild.”

Birdworld is one of the largest bird parks in the country, the 26 acres of landscaped park and gardens are home to over 1,000 birds and 180 species from around the world.

The park also is home to the Underwater World aquarium and the Jenny Wren Farm.

Park open 10am until 4.30pm (GMT), last admissions are an hour before closing. Visit www.birdworld.co.uk or call 01420 22140 for more information.