It's possible that the number of animals killed from the impact of the
feral animals would have been much more significant than the 2,000.
the article linked to has been updated with addtional information
Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said the pest eradication effort was
worthwhile.
"Nobody wants to see wildlife hurt or damaged by programs," she told
reporters in Hobart.
"However, what is Eric Abetz’s alternative? Those same birds were
being threatened by destruction of the natural habitat on Macquarie
Island because of rabbits grazing."
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said in a statement that the
bird deaths were inevitable.
"When you do baiting, the fact is you will lose some of the birds you
are wanting to protect," he said.
"But if you don't do baiting, feral animals like rabbits and rodents
will keep wiping everything out."
On the plus side, rabbit numbers are believed to have dropped from a
whopping 150,000 to less than 30 since the program was implemented.
Mr Burke said the impact on fauna were continually monitored, adding
he had moved to tighten the program's regulations in November.
He said up to 24 bird species ultimately stood to benefit from the
eradication program.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/2000-birds-die-as-feral-cull-backfires-20111018-1lwg0.html#ixzz1b6uwum1f
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