Releasing Corellas

[(Chris Gladwin)]

     Paul Osborn wrote that "animal liberationists" released some Corellas in 
     Newcastle and that these are now forming a feral flock.
     
     Why don't they also release some foxes, starlings, cats, prickly pear, 
cane 
     toads etc?  To me there is no difference.  Don't get me wrong, I hate 
     seeing captive birds too.  But releasing anything in to an area that it 
     would not normally occur is IN MY OPINION - criminal, misguided and shows 
a 
     total lack of understanding of ecology.
     
     Those Corellas will be competing for food and certainly for nest hollows 
     with the native fauna of the area.  They could also be spearding disease.
     
     We as birders should be concerned by such releases and attempt to better 
     educate these misguided (but "hearts in the right places" people).  And we 
     should get no pleasure from "ticking" these birds as they represent part 
of 
     a national tragedy.
     
     
     Chris Gladwin
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