Some interesting observations in this article among those I posted earlier
https://theconversation.com/mass-slaughter-of-wedge-tailed-eagles-could-have
-australia-wide-consequences-98011
"
Do eagles kill lambs?
The wedge-tailed eagle is a powerful predator that kills a variety of
mammals. Anecdotal observations by landowners describe birds attacking live
lambs and even half-grown sheep. There are also cases in the literature of
them working in tandem to hunt larger prey such as kangaroos - behaviour
that has been widely documented for large eagle species.
However, evidence gathered during extensive research in Australia has shown
that in most cases, eagles seen feeding on lamb or sheep carcasses are
"cleaning up" after other predators like foxes and crows, which were
actually the direct cause of death.
There are no documented cases of wedge-tailed eagles causing significant
economic impacts to the sheep industry. But even if they did, there are
other options besides culling. Carcasses placed near livestock would provide
easier alternative food sources, for example. Shepherds can effectively
guard flocks and protect lambs. Finally, given that wedge-tailed eagles are
protected, it may be appropriate for the government to pay compensation for
livestock losses.
"
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of David
Clark
Sent: Tuesday, 25 September 2018 9:29 PM
To: Michael Hunter <>
Cc: birding-aus <>
Subject: Wedgies
Michael
I'm sure that WTEs are more than capable of killing healthy lambs. Whether
they need to expend energy doing so is probably the question.
Some years ago, perhaps after the 2003 bushfires, I read an account of WTEs
attacking Fallow Deer in the Victorian High Country. Two or three WTEs were
involved in what was described as a co-ordinated attack.
Cheers
David
On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 9:19 PM Michael Hunter <>
wrote:
> Great to hear that the jail penalty for killing Wedge-tail Eagles was
> widely publicised in Victoria at least.
> Was Sylvester actually jailed?
>
> Do Wedgies really kill healthy lambs?
>
> Years ago the CSIRO comprehensively investigated and could not find a
> single first hand report of a Wedgie killing a healthy lamb, possibly
> they attacked sick and immobile newborn lambs. They did eat dead lambs or
sheep.
>
> One of the Rangers quoted in the news report said that they did kill
> lambs and sometimes hunted in packs.
> They do scavenge on animal carcasses, sometimes in numbers, but are
> there reliable first hand reports of Wedge-tail Eagles actually
> hunting in packs? Or actually killing healthy lambs?
> Do ANY Eagles hunt in packs ?
>
> Michael
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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