Hunt begins for lorikeets

By Philip English

Department of Conservation officers yesterday began hunting down for destruction the rainbow lorikeets released in Auckland by parrot enthusiasts.

The birds, dozens of which have been thriving for the past six years mainly in North Shore gardens, pose a threat to native birds and horticultural crops.

The Minister of Conservation, Nick Smith, watched the trapping of 27 of the squawking birds in Birkenhead after he authorised their capture under the Wildlife Act.

"You would think we would have learned from the disastrous importation of possums from Australia," said Dr Smith. "It makes me angry that people would be so foolish as to intentionally introduce this bird and release it with no care for the consequences.

"I don't want Auckland to become just another Aussie city, devoid of New Zealand bird life."

Rex Gilfillan, who was charged with releasing rainbow lorikeets in Birkenhead, was distraught at the birds' capture. The case was dismissed on a technicality in the North Shore District Court last month.

He said they were not a threat to native birds because they were unlikely to survive in the wild.

Dr Smith urged residents to support the eradication of the birds now breeding in the wild on the North Shore, Mt Albert, Remuera and Glendowie. Possible sightings of pairs have been recorded in Clevedon, Howick, Henderson and on Waiheke Island.

People breeding the birds for release would be prosecuted, he said.

Authorities fear that the rainbow lorikeets could spread numerous diseases among native birds or humans and that they could muscle out tui and native parrots, such as the kaka and kakariki, from habitats including island wildlife refuges.

In Australia the birds, prolific breeders, can be seen in flocks of up to 1000.

Horticulturists regard them as significant pests, responsible for losses of fruit crops such as mangoes, avocados, lychees, peaches and apricots.

Mr Gilfillan said there was no reason to suppose that the parrots would do any harm.

"A lot of people love them. They [the parrots] could even be a tourist attraction.

"I find it absolutely astounding that a bunch of narrow-minded idiots belonging to Forest and Bird and DoC seem to think that when the suburbs of Auckland are expanding all over the place, and their natural habitats are being chopped down everywhere, there isn't room for any other species besides man.

"I am very sad the birds are being condemned without a trial."

It is understood that some of the birds will be taken by Auckland Zoo but the rest will be humanely killed by veterinarians.

Pictured: Conservation officers Jonathan Miles (left) and Simon Mowbray believe that these rainbow lorikeets pose a big threat to native birds and horticultural crops. HERALD PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS