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Magpie destroyed

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Subject: Magpie destroyed
From: Frank O'Connor <>
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2001 23:14:47 +0800
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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