Overkill much ...

[bob21358]

I see 910 Rainbow Lorikeets are to be killed.

Why not trap them an export them overseas - they would make a killing (figuratively speaking)!

[jnorriss]

It is interesting to read this in conjunction with the topic "4,000 people arrested in 32 countries for wild bird trade". We cannot export birds that are smuggled out but we can kill them. Here is a case for denting the smuggling by issuing permits to trap and export "troublesome" fauna in a controlled manner rather than kill it if we cannot relocate to a wild reserve somewhere in Australia. A classic example of government bureaucratic reasoning...we can kill it but cannot turn it into a commercial resource that will reduce the value of the illegitimate trade in a small way

[MadOzzie]

The "anti-live trade" people would have another target. Kill the birds and the protestors no longer have a target as its dead!

MadOzzie

[GregH]

I can understand the need to deal with problem animals and really we shouldn't be shocked that sometimes park management and farmers do so with a gun. My incredulity is that the Government supports the the philosophy of "better dead than bred" - I guess politics is about votes and promoting culls won't win them. This is an interesting example of common ground for both the "conservation" and "animal rights" fraternity.

[Trilobite]

I agree with culls in certain circumstances eg, birds that get in front of my aircraft, horses/pigs that destroy national parks, lorikeets/bats that wantingly destroy farmers crops etc etc because I think like most people on the forum want to fly with safety, enjoy pristine national parks, and have the convenience of clean cheap food at the supermarket. However it sh*^s me to tears that the screwed up governement cant see that the profits from say a 1000 sulpher crested cockatoos and then some (normally killed at feedlots because they eat the cow food) plus any other ones we cull cant be put back into parks and reserve. This will also stall the illegial wildlife trade to a certain extent and like the great NT conservationist Dr Webb said "if you want to save a species them farm it" hmm fox tail palm, wollemi pine, crodiles and then list goes on. An no birds wont move on most animal easily get aclimated to aircraft noise and activity so soon learn that manincure pastures around airfields makes for good pickings in grassland species.

[jnorriss]

I agree with culls in certain circumstances eg, birds that get in front of my aircraft, horses/pigs that destroy national parks, lorikeets/bats that wantingly destroy farmers crops etc etc because I think like most people on the forum want to fly with safety, enjoy pristine national parks, and have the convenience of clean cheap food at the supermarket. However it sh*^s me to tears that the screwed up governement cant see that the profits from say a 1000 sulpher crested cockatoos and then some (normally killed at feedlots because they eat the cow food) plus any other ones we cull cant be put back into parks and reserve. This will also stall the illegial wildlife trade to a certain extent and like the great NT conservationist Dr Webb said "if you want to save a species them farm it" hmm fox tail palm, wollemi pine, crodiles and then list goes on. An no birds wont move on most animal easily get aclimated to aircraft noise and activity so soon learn that manincure pastures around airfields makes for good pickings in grassland species.

Hear hear!

[Trilobite]

I just realized that my typing sucks tonight, please excuse typos.

[jusdeb]

Def agree that a well researched and humane cull is often a necessity ...We do create problems when we turn native grazing land into food rich grain paddocks or lush grazing pastures thus enabling some natives to breed out of control .

How on earth they come to the numbers is beyond me ..10 fur seals such a low impact animal , doesn't hog the golf course or bugger up airplane engines so why ?

And Emu chicks ??? not even old enough to be a problem .

[Pete Sara]

I will gladly send back all the rainbow lorikeets over here back to where they belong...pete

[arthur]

Time to ponder on that old school debating topic . .

that: "The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend"