Time is running out for the less than 50 monk parakeets living in the wild in the UK. FERA, a department of Defra has already begun eradicating a population of around 33 of these birds in Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, destroying birds, trees and nests. A similar operation is being carried out on the Isle of Dogs in London where the birds have been shot at by FERA operatives.
Defra claims the birds could pose a danger to crops, electricity pylons and other species, and the RSPB has not condemned the cull. However, the report on monk parakeets, produced by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, indicates that the threats posed by the birds are relatively minor. Previous populations existing elsewhere in the UK have naturally died out. Owing to harsh winters they are slow to expand, preferring to remain in urban areas and will not forage further than their nesting vicinity for food. Because of their sedentary nature, there is no evidence of the widespread agricultural or environmental damage that was predicted 30 years ago.
The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat concedes:
"Although establishment can take many years, there is currently a population of ~60 Monk parakeets already in the risk assessment area. Such small numbers are still susceptible to natural extinction".
Culling of wild animals is both cruel and ineffective and, if serious problems with species arise, non-lethal solutions should be used.
Dear Richard Benyon MP,
Monk parakeets have been living in the wild in Borehamwood and elsewhere, notably the Isle of Dogs, for many years (since the 1990s) and have barely increased in number during that time; not least they have not done any damage or interfered with native species. There are only around 33 birds in Borehamwood out of around 77 in the UK.
We are extremely distressed that Defra/FERA have gone against what they have said publicly (i.e. to remove these birds from the wild using non lethal methods) and instead are culling them (they said they would only cull as a last resort).
So far 14 from the Isle of Dogs have been rehomed but because of so-called logistical issues the "most sensible approach to despatch" is used and 4 birds and 5 chicks in Borehamwood have been killed. Furthermore, shooting at the birds has commenced on the Isle of Dogs. We are not satisfied with this approach as we believe little effort has been made to contact aviaries.
Tragically it seems to be the case that saving costs and time clearly take priority over the lives of these birds. Shockingly it appears that even though a nearby aviary has said they will take some birds, culling is going ahead.
Particularly outrageous is that, in times of austerity, Defra is spending approximately £1000 per bird for this eradication programme when anyone can still go to a pet shop, buy one and then release it. It is a waste of public money.
The report on monk parakeets, produced by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, indicates that the threats posed by the birds are relatively minor. Previous populations existing elsewhere in the UK have naturally died out. Owing to harsh winters they are slow to expand, preferring to remain in urban areas and will not forage further than their nesting vicinity for food. Because of their sedentary nature, there is no evidence of the widespread agricultural or environmental damage that was predicted 30 years ago.
We the undersigned implore you to halt any killing of monk parakeets immediately and make more attempts to rehome the birds instead.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
