Wardens to beef up aviary security

Vandals have struck again at Virginia Lake and caused death and mayhem. On Thursday they cut the netting of the main aviary and stole the prized white cockatoo, Cocky. Aviary manager Darryl Greeks who has been 11 years on the job tending the birds at the lake said Cocky would have been screaming when he was bird napped. "He is not a quiet bird and he would be very unhappy." Mr Greeks said Cocky would use his claws and beak and with 3000 pounds per square inch of biting pressure, the people responsible would look like they had been attacked?"they rip you open." The hand-reared birds are used to Mr Greeks, but strangers beware, he said. Councillor Randhir Dahya said Cocky was worth $900 to $1200 which was ratepayers' money, and outlined further ratepayer expense caused by vandals stealing, killing and injuring birds in the aviary and on the lake. In November four white swans hatched at the lake, the first in 20 years. "One was killed by a concrete block at the end of November, and one was stolen on Christmas or Boxing Day?"The wings have been pinioned so they can't fly." Mr Greeks said he spent a number of days searching the lake but failed to find any traces of the bird ? feathers, bill or feet. The two men said they found it hard to comprehend the cruelty to the swans which were worth $750 each and the other acts of cruelty to birds around the lake. "It's extremely disappointing to hatch the birds after all this time and then someone comes along and wipes out half the bevy of swans." Muscovie ducks have been found with broken legs and wings. Cr Dahya said the community was fed up with this sort of vandalism and voluntary wardens were being introduced immediately. "Virginia Lake is unique and other Wanganui parks are of a high standard and a huge attraction to visitors. "It takes a lot of work and dedication to maintain them without wanton vandalism and cruelty."