Story from the Mercury Newspaper website shows how dangerous cats can be to our wildlife. The article indicates possibly fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild. I have heard of controlled release of OBP bred in captivity, according to the specific number and sex of indviduals which arrive at the breeding area near Melaleuca, Southwest National Park Tasmania. Even this appears not to be working, as their numbers are still in decline. Dr James Harrison (the vet mentioned) is our favourite wildlife vet (we do wildlife rescue), and he specialises in birds as well.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/06/27/382267_tasmania-news.html
If, as the Mercury report states, a cat was found in the orange-bellied parrot enclosure two days after two birds were destroyed by the cat I'd want a head count of the remaining birds as well as the head of the cat & its owner if there is one. I find it hard to believe the cat would have stopped at two.
Having encountered this rare & beautiful bird species a number of times during winter orange-bellied parrot counts in SA I feel extremely angry that anyone would want to indulge the remotest possibility of his/her cat destroying any of these birds.
Hi Woko, according to the vet's letter, James said the birds were startled. Agree, if the cat had caught and killed, I fear it may have been a lot worse. I don't know how many birds to each enclosure, maybe the others were far enough away to avoid harm. I gather the cat left the enclosure by the same way it got in and later returned. There is not enough information in the story to know exactly what happened.I guess the main point is that two very precious birds are no longer with us.
Again I only put the liink up for member's interest, cannot verify the accuracy of the story (have often heard "why let the truth get in the way of a good story")
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Hi Dale. I have been known to let my feelings get in the way of calm consideration (particularly when it comes to orange-bellied parrots) so thanks for your post, particularly your reminder to be wary of what the media portrays! Nevertheless, my thoughts on cats stand.
I find it hard to believe that the avaries of the OBP captive breeding program are not cat proof, I would have expected a double fence arrangement; notwithstanding the above - cats are good in the right place - once you find that right place can you tell me where it is
Peter
My feelings regards cats reflect in some ways both yours Woko, and Pacman's, cats have their place, but not at my place. If cat owners behave responsibly, I have no issue.
Pacman, I to can't believe the aviaries are not cat proof!
I to let feelings get in the way sometimes, but that can also be a good thing. Have not had the pleasure of seeing OBP live yet, did have a trip planned to the feeding station in the deep Southwest near Melaleuca, but unfortunately did not happen this year, hopefully next! Again one of the very few occasions where I agree with artificial feeding stations.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
They are trying to contain the cat problem in Canberra.
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/city-services/pets/Cats_in_the_ACT
Also Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve has a feral proof fence around the 485 hectare area. Another link if interested.
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/390699/Mulligans_Flat_and_Goorooyarroo_Nature_Reserve_Brochure.pdf
And to answer Peter, maybe a 12/0 hook and wire trace out in the big blue???
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Lets hope the rules applying in the ACT will soon be instituted right across the country rawshorty. And hopefully more ACT suburbs will be curfewed as time goes on.
Dale, I love your statement:
Cats have their place, but not at my place!
Can I buy that please and use it?
M-L
Seems this issue is important to us all, thanks to all for caring. M-L, you don't have to buy my quote, just use it to promote the cause.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania