Wing and a prayer: Intricate plan is underway to save a cockatoo trapped inside shopping centre for FOUR weeks

The race continues with the rescue of a cockatoo nicknamed Mickey after the bird entered a Coles supermarket and then became stuck in a busy shopping centre.

The native bird reportedly got stuck in the Macarthur Square store in Campbelltown, NSW, about four weeks ago when it flew in through the loading dock.

A concerned nature lover, Tom, called 2GB Monday after learning there was a plan to obtain a permit to shoot the bird after many failed attempts to release it back into the wild.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, I’m just over people not using common sense anymore,” Tom said.

“Common sense and the right answer are so simple and they make it so difficult and end up giving the wrong answer.

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

A WIRES spokeswoman told 2GB it could not assist in safely capturing the bird.

“The center’s management and Coles have been advised by WIRES that the ceilings are too high to use a regular containment net and that Indigenous animal rescuers are not legally allowed to use net weapons under the NSW Prohibited Weapons Act,” said the statement – ​​seen by NewsWire – .

‘As the bird has access to ample food within Coles and the food court, it is not possible to lure it into a cage with food. It is also not safe to use a tranquilizer dart as the bird will fall from a height and possibly hurt itself. He may also not survive the effects of the tranquilizer dart.

‘WIRES has also advised Coles to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as WIRES is licensed through them and we must follow their procedures and guidelines for the rescue and care of native wildlife.

‘It is not known whether Coles management has yet contacted NPWS for a resolution.

‘We will continue to monitor the situation and help where legally possible.’

A Coles spokeswoman confirmed the bird was no longer in the store but was still trapped in the shopping center on Monday afternoon.

“The cockatoo, which has become a friendly sight in the Macarthur Square shopping centre, is not currently in Coles but is exploring other areas within the wider shopping precinct,” she told NewsWire.

‘When the bird came into our store in recent weeks, our team worked extremely hard with external expert wildlife and bird management organizations to safely and, most importantly, humanely relocate the cockatoo to where it belongs: in the outdoors.’

It is believed the cockatoo is trapped in the shopping center due to the almost constant food source in a Coles (pictured) and the food court

The Coles spokeswoman said it was important to ensure staff struck the right balance between protecting the animal and respecting food safety standards.

“We work hard to balance our responsibilities between food safety and animal welfare,” she said.

‘While this friendly cockatoo feels at home in the store, we want our products to be enjoyed by our customers without food safety concerns.

‘The cockatoo is currently away from Coles, but if it returns we will continue to try a number of methods to attract it back into the outside world.’

The WIRES spokeswoman warned against leaving food for the bird as it could cause health problems for the creature.

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

Coles assured that staff maintain a balance between keeping the native bird safe and maintaining food safety standards (stock image)

The wild native bird is protected by law, making it difficult to find a solution to safely remove it from the store.

It’s not the first time a bird has become stuck at the mall, with WIRES assisting with the rescue of another cockatoo at Big W on August 12.

The spokeswoman said it took numerous people present on that occasion before the bird was “eventually released by leaving a back door open.”

“This is usually the only way we can free the birds that regularly fly into the center through the large French doors of the complex,” she says.

Center management has also been contacted for further comment.