Mickey the cockatoo finally captured after four weeks inside Coles supermarket at Macarthur Square

Another bird has provided the crucial breakthrough as Mickey the cockatoo was finally freed from the supermarket in which he had spent the previous four weeks.

After weeks of eluding rescuers, Mickey the cockatoo has finally been captured and safely removed from a southwest Sydney supermarket, with another bird remarkably providing the breakthrough.

Tuesday’s rescue followed a surge of support from locals, politicians and wildlife groups who banded together to save the bird.

The ”people power’ movement to save Mickey began on Monday after a concerned animal activist claimed on 2GB radio an order to “shoot” the bird had been given after four weeks of failed attempts to have him removed.

A store manager said WIRES rescue members had been to the Coles supermarket at Campbelltown’s Macarthur Square shopping mall “every other night” in attempts to remove, but to no avail.

The primary issues rescuers had faced, according to a WIRES spokesman, included huge warehouse-style vaulted ceilings, and issues with having the lights turned off after hours to assist in the removal effort.

Concerns from locals and public pressure led to politicians speaking out in support of Mickey's safe removal. Picture: 2GB

WIRES had been attempting to rescue the cockatoo almost “every other night” for the past month. Picture: 2GB

As public concern grew as rumours spread that Mickey might be harmed, politicians such as Campbelltown councillor Josh Cotter, local Labor MP Greg Warren and NSW Premier Chris Minns all spoke out in support of his rescue.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe also spoke out, insisting Mickey would not be shot and that there had never been such a plan.

Jane Lumaguip, who works at a nearby shop, said on Tuesday she had noticed the bird flying around for the past two days.

“It keeps flying and squawking,” she said.

“It’s so noisy, you know? Yesterday, we were like, ‘What’s the bird doing here?’” she said.

Mickey the cockatoo had been trapped for four weeks inside Macarthur Square shopping centre, spending his nights eating and sleeping in a Coles supermarket. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

Locals like Ms Lumaguip were concerned for Mickey’s wellbeing, noting the bird appeared stressed as the days wore on.

“If you notice the bird, it’s already, like, not very active… it looks very stressed already,” she added.

Luckily for Mickey, his time indoors was soon coming to an end.

Ravi Wasan, a dedicated local wildlife rescuer from Sydney Wildlife Rescue and Feathered Friends, used an innovative approach to gain Mickey’s trust by bringing along his trusty assistant, “Old Lady Doris” the cockatoo.

Speaking after the successful rescue, he shared how he patiently played out his strategy.

“I went in the morning, worked out where he was moving around, and made sure he wouldn’t go anywhere to eat anymore,” Mr Wasan said.

“He was full, so I came back again at two o’clock.”

Ravi Wasan spent hours building trust with Mickey with the help of his cockatoo assistant, “Old Lady Doris”. Picture: Supplied

He said Mickey had grown wary of people after numerous failed rescue attempts.

“Mickey was so frightened and untrusting of people because he’d been there for four weeks, and there were so many attempts that he was scared,” he said.

Eventually Old Lady Doris, a gentle cockatoo from the Feathered Friends bird sanctuary, was able to help calm Mickey and coax him to eat with her in her cage.

“Mickey kept flying off, taking little seats, then flying off again. It happened over 20 times,” Mr Wasan recalled.

“It took ages for him to trust the cage ... and then eventually he went in for a little bit, and just at that last minute, I could be skirted behind him and shut the door.”

Ravi Wasan said Mickey said had grown wary of people after numerous failed rescue attempts. Picture: Supplied

Eventually the local wildlife rescuer and director of Feathered Friends’ plan to win over Mickey succeeded and he safely removed him from the store. Picture: Macarthur Square

Mr Wasan took both birds back to his home to check over Mickey, who took comfort in having Old Lady Doris by his side.

“Doris is the sweetest little soul, and we were able to use her to build trust with Mickey,” he said.

“There are some really cute shots where the two of them are cuddling each other.”

According to Mr Wasan, Mickey is in good health and is expected to reunite with a local flock of wild cockatoos soon.

Ms Sharpe said she was “delighted” to know the bird had been captured safely “after spending way too long in Macarthur Square”.

“Mickey is being assessed by experts. We hope Mickey will be flying free by tomorrow,” Ms Sharpe said.

Mr Warren also celebrated the good news, thanking staff and volunteer rescue groups for their efforts throughout the ordeal.

“I am looking forward to seeing Mickey back in the wild back where he belongs,” Mr Warren said.