Frank-
I'm glad to hear a voice of reason. The lorikeet problem demonstrates the
cute and cuddly syndrome nicely. Rarely does one hear of an objection to
killing 'ugly' animals such as cane toads, but lay a hand on a Lorikeet
where it isn't native and watch the proverbial fertiliser hit the fan. This
is causing serious conflict in New Zealand at the moment.... Apparently its
okay to kill something if its ugly, but a no-no if its purdy.
Scott O'Keeffe
-----Original Message-----
From:
Behalf Of Frank O'Connor
Sent: 17 March 2001 01:15
To:
Subject: Magpie destroyed
At 08:59 16/03/2001 +0800, Marilyn Davis wrote:
>Nature is a wonderful and remarkable thing. After the antics of Aquis,
>the cannon netters, the bird killing grape growers, and duck shooters its
>a wonder of nature that there are any birds left. I think I know what is
>the common relationship between these groups. They are all of the same
>tribal totem "BUSTARDS".
I feel sad that the Black-billed Magpie was destroyed, but I would probably
have to agree with the decision by AQIS. The decision would have nothing
to do with foot and mouth. I would liken it to killing any rats that were
on the ship. This procedure is done regularly in WA to destroy sparrows
and starlings. Perhaps they are more likely to establish viable
populations but the principle is the same. The Agricultural Protection
Board also annually shoots starlings that attempt to spread across the
Nullarbor. Having seen the problems with starlings in the eastern states,
I am glad that WA is controlling them. We let Rainbow Lorikeets get
established and now they are throughout Perth and causing problems to local
species. I am also seeing the rapid increase around Perth of feral ducks
and geese, and the growing number of mallard / Pacific Black hybrids. The
ferals used to be culled annually, but this doesn't seem to have happened
for many years now.
________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor Birding WA http://www.iinet.net.au/~foconnor
8C Hardy Road Email :
Nedlands WA 6009 ICQ : 14655047
Phone : +61 8 9386 5694
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