Seagulls Killed in Tasmania 1/9/10

Tasmanian Seagulls Killed

Seagulls living in a large colony at the Domain slipyards are about to get their marching orders from Tasports, as animal activists express anger over culling that has already taken place at Macquarie Point.
Tasports says the growing number of gulls near its operations at Macquarie Wharf is posing health, safety and environmental threats to Tasports employees. At the Domain slipyards, there were anecdotal reports of gulls attacking bike riders on the nearby intercity cycleway. Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania has accused Tasports of engaging in a "top-secret seagull massacre" at Macquarie Point. AACT spokesman Chris Simcox said he believed birds had been poisoned and shot during the cull. "There were reports of dead birds floating in the harbour last weekend, following a suspected poisoning event," Mr Simcox said. "While we are told that seagulls are being targeted, it is clear that they are not the only ones being killed."

A Tasports spokeswoman confirmed that 13 seagulls were killed at Macquarie Point by a licensed pest controller, who shot the birds at night using a silenced rifle. No poison was used and the seagull relocation and cull was not kept secret, with the public alerted via Tasports' electronic noticeboard at the wharf, the spokeswoman said. The relocation of the Domain slipyards' gull colony is set to begin early this week. A licensed pest controller will try to move the birds by using nets initially. The relocation will take place under a permit issued to Tasports by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. A department spokesman said the permit allowed for the controlled culling of seagulls during a six-month period across all ports under Tasports' jurisdiction in Tasmania. It allows for measures including the removal and disposal of eggs, trapping with nets, and shooting. Poison can be used only allowed where it poses no threat to humans and wildlife other than gulls. Tasports manager of safety, health and environment John Johnston said the birds could also carry disease in their faeces, which presented a health risk to humans. *Mercury