Who we are

Carnaby’s Crusaders Ltd is a registered not for profit charity dedicated to the protection, restoration and long term resilience of habitat critical to Western Australia’s native Black Cockatoo species.

Western Australia is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, yet habitat loss, fragmentation and climate pressures continue to drive the decline of threatened species. Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) is listed as Endangered, and its survival depends on the protection of remaining foraging habitat, breeding hollows and habitat connectivity across the Swan Coastal Plain and surrounding bioregions.

Our work aligns with state and national recovery objectives that prioritise:

  • Protection of critical and remnant habitat

  • Ecological restoration to improve landscape resilience

  • Community and private land conservation initiatives

  • Long term conservation covenanting and stewardship

A black and white bird of prey, possibly a hawk, perched on a branch inside an aviary with a wire mesh ceiling and various plants and branches.
A bird with dark and light brown feathers and a pale beak perched on a leafless tree branch against a clear blue sky.
Two hawks perched on a dry branch against a clear blue sky, with one hawk eating a small animal.

Our Origins

Before Carnaby’s Crusaders was formally established in 2021, the work began through collaboration with local landholders and wildlife carers seeking practical responses to the loss of natural breeding hollows.

Through partnerships with conservation groups and dedicated individuals, artificial hollow installations supported breeding attempts in areas where mature hollow bearing trees had been lost. This work builds on the pioneering designs of Wally Kerkhof, whose innovation contributed to fledging hundreds of Carnaby’s over more than three decades. We acknowledge the many conservation champions whose commitment provided critical support to the species during a period of accelerating habitat decline.

While artificial hollows remain an important interim conservation tool, they do not replace the ecological complexity of intact woodland systems.

Without the permanent protection and restoration of natural feeding and breeding habitat, population recovery cannot be sustained.

Today, Carnaby’s Crusaders focuses on strategic land protection, habitat restoration and long term stewardship to ensure Black Cockatoos have secure, functional ecosystems into the future.

A man smiling with sunglasses on his head, surrounded by two large black and white birds perched on his shoulders. They appear to be in an outdoor aviary with trees, greenery, metal fencing, and a corrugated metal roof in the background.
A man holding a black and gray parrot with white spots on its face in a classroom with children observing.

Meet the Founder & CEO

Dean founded Carnaby’s Crusaders with a clear purpose: to protect and restore the habitat essential to the survival of Western Australia’s Black Cockatoos.

With a background grounded in practical conservation work and long standing collaboration with wildlife carers and landholders, Dean has contributed to on ground habitat initiatives across the region. His leadership reflects a commitment to long term solutions that move beyond temporary measures toward permanent habitat protection.

Dean is not focused on short term trends. He is focused on securing lasting conservation outcomes for future generations.

Work With Us

Meet our Board & Team

  • Dean Arthurell

    Founder and Director

    As a Chittering Shire resident of almost 13 years, I fell in love with the region instantly. Like most of WA’s unique South West habitat, Chittering is harsh but stunning. It is my home along with critical habitat for our Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo’s. As a wildlife carer and former Chairperson of Chittering Wildlife Carers I have learnt much from our dedicated community volunteers. I live a dream daily, interacting with our educational ambassadors, visiting incredible places in Western Australia, talking to school children and sharing what I have learnt with anyone willing to listen. Conservation can’t be the responsibility of a few.

    Black Cockatoos are a beacon of hope, that we can undo the challenges and pressure we placed have on our landscape and planet. They are resilient, beautiful and an integral part of our unique biodiversity in Western Australia. For me they are medicine, they enrich the soul, drive my passion and make every day a joy to support their recovery. Give me 5 minutes, you will be forever recruited, enamoured and part of the recovery

  • Stefan Waldhoff

    Director

    I have dedicated the past seven years to being a wildlife carer and have been actively involved in my local community through wildlife rescue work and snake relocations. I have lived in the Northern Valleys for more than 10 years.

    My primary focus has been caring for and rehabilitating macropods, although I have experience with a wide variety of native wildlife. I proudly serve on the Board of Directors of Carnaby's Crusaders, an organisation dedicated to the conservation of Carnaby's Black Cockatoos.

    I have served on the governing committee of Chittering Wildlife Carers and currently serve on the committee of Midwest Marsupial Carers Inc. My journey as a wildlife carer is one of continuous learning.

  • Nicole Catalano

    Director

    For the past 16 years, Chittering has been more than just where I live—it’s been my home and the community I’ve been proud to be a part of. Over the last 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for injured and orphaned native wildlife, something that has become a true passion of mine.

    Through my work with the Shire and my volunteer wildlife care, I’ve built strong connections with local people and have enjoyed giving back to the community that has given so much to me.

    I care deeply about Chittering, its people, and its unique natural environment, and I’m committed to helping our community continue to thrive.

  • Ashley

    Wildlife Educator

    Ash has always had a love of Australian wildlife, especially birds. Growing up exploring Ningaloo Reef, the Western Australian bush and watching Carnaby's Cockatoos return each year sparked a passion that led her into wildlife rehabilitation.

    After completing a Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science, Ash quickly realised she wanted to be working hands-on with wildlife rather than writing reports in an office. For the past four years she has cared for injured native wildlife, with a particular focus on black cockatoos, and is currently completing her veterinary nursing qualification specialising in birds.

    Ash joined Carnaby's Crusaders in 2025, where she works with the ambassador birds and helps deliver community education, encouraging people to better understand and protect Western Australia's black cockatoos.

  • Sharon

    Volunteer Campaign and Partnerships Manager

    Sharon volunteers her time to support Carnaby's Crusaders through communications, partnerships and fundraising. She developed the organisation's website, leads the Save the Skies campaign, prepares grant and sponsorship proposals, creates campaign content, and helps build support for protecting Western Australia's black cockatoos and their habitat.

    Outside of her volunteer role, Sharon works in the charity sector and enjoys using her experience to support conservation and community organisations. She believes lasting conservation depends on people working together to protect and restore Western Australia's unique wildlife and landscapes.

Conservation Work

  • Three people standing outdoors in front of a black utility vehicle, with trees and clear blue sky in the background. They are smiling and dressed in outdoor attire.

  • A man holding a black bird with white spots inside a cage at an outdoor event.

  • A bird, likely a woodpecker, perched on a wooden birdhouse attached to a tree branch surrounded by green leaves against a blue sky.

  • Two smiling people, a man and a woman, are posing together indoors. The man is wearing a black shirt with colorful patterns and text that reads 'KingKira Group,' and has glasses hanging around his neck. The woman is wearing a black shirt with a name tag and is holding a glass of white wine. There is a large black bird, possibly a crow or raven, perched on a decorative branch in front of them. In the background, there are tables, chairs, and several other people in a spacious, well-lit room with a high ceiling.

  • A woman holding a black cockatoo bird with a crest of feathers on her arm at an educational event about endangered bird species. Two informational posters about Black Cockatoos are visible in the background, one with a photo of a Black Cockatoo and another with details about a critically endangered species.

  • A woman with long red hair smiling, wearing a black Leschenault Catchment Council t-shirt, with a dark-colored bird perched on her shoulder inside a modern indoor space with black chairs and white walls.

  • A black parrot perched on a wooden branch inside a cafe, with people sitting at tables and stairs in the background.

  • Close-up of a young gray and black bird with its beak open, standing on a digital scale.

    Description goes here
  • A black and yellow bird with a light-colored beak and a bright eye, sitting inside a dark, cylindrical pipe surrounded by small rocks.

  • A man holding a baby bird close to his face, smiling as the bird and man touch their noses.

  • A black, gray, and white parrot perched on a tree branch inside a cage with greenery and other perches visible.

  • A man is holding a black bird on his shoulder inside a bird enclosure with two other black birds on the tree branch nearby.

  • A young black bird with fluffy yellow feathers, sitting in a blue container, amid bottles and household items in the background.

  • Three black and white parrots perched on a wooden branch inside a cage, with a banner in the background reading 'Cannaby's Crusaders'.

  • Group of seven people, including children and adults, posing outdoors at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary, with a bird perched on a wooden branch behind them.

Contact us

We welcome enquiries from landholders, partners, supporters and community members interested in protecting and restoring critical habitat for Western Australia’s Black Cockatoos. Complete the form below and we’ll respond as soon as possible.