For info... Minister Hargreaves has learned from CIMAG that
"Indian Myna numbers have been plummeting". I'd
have thought from the graph presented by Martin the other night that
plummeting might be too strong a word.
Julian
PRISONERS TRAP MYNA BIRD
MENACEPublished: June 16, 2009, 8:47 am
Section: John Hargreaves, MLA | Media Releases
Minister for Corrections, Mr John Hargreaves MLA, today announced that
prisoners from the Alexander Maconochie Centre will provide much needed
assistance to the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group (CIMAG) by
constructing their specialised Indian Myna bird traps.
"I am very pleased to announce that ACT Corrections is incorporating
positive environmental projects within the prisoners' daily
schedules," said the Minister.
"Discussions have been taking place for a while between officers
from ACT Corrections and CIMAG regarding the scoping and requirements for
this trap construction project and I expect this endeavour to commence
before the end of the financial year."
The Indian Myna bird is an invasive exotic bird species that takes over
nesting hollows from native birds and small mammals. CIMAG formed as a
community action group to reduce the impact of the Indian Myna on
Canberra's native birds and animals. CIMAG will provide the discrete
training necessary for prisoners to construct these traps. The skills
gained through this trap construction program can be incorporated within
the prisoners' Vocational Education Training programs.
"I am very supportive of the work that CIMAG has achieved to date
through their Indian Myna trapping program," said Mr Hargreaves.
"When CIMAG originally formed in 2006, the Indian Myna was the third
most abundant bird species in Canberra. Since that time, I have been
pleased to learn that their numbers have been plummeting,' he said.
"The recent Garden Bird Survey conducted by the Canberra
Ornithologists Group has seen this invasive exotic species drop to the
twelfth most abundant bird species in our gardens," stated the
Minister. "This is no small achievement by CIMAG and they are to be
applauded for their efforts. However I am pleased to be able to support
this ongoing project of CIMAG by having the prisoners construct these
specialised traps."
"The work of the prisoners will help reduce the significant backlog
in orders from the community for the traps.' said Minster Hargreaves.
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