By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A 12-MONTH long waiting list for Cardinia Shire Council’s trial Indian Myna bird trapping program is forcing residents to look to other options for help.
Pakenham resident Wendy Andrews is using a trap she bought on eBay to capture mynas in her backyard.
Wendy says the invasive birds were a “serious problem” in the area.
The trap, a cage with a mirror and dog biscuits inside to lure in the birds and spiked wire to prevent them escaping, has caught four birds in the past three days.
After the birds are inside the cage, Wendy covers it with a garbage bag and attaches the top of the bag to the exhaust pipe of her car.
She says Indian Myna birds on her property have been a problem for some time.
“I’ve got six out the back of the house and six out the front,” she said.
“They’re a pain. The minute I go out to feed the chooks they become very intrusive.”
Cardinia Shire’s trial Indian Myna trapping program commenced last month and will run until July 2016.
The program was developed based on RSPCA guidelines for humane trapping and euthanasia of pest birds.
Similar programs have proven effective in other areas when carried out over a significant period of time – the Canberra Indian Myna action group has halved the bird’s population since 2006.
Under the Cardinia Shire program, residents can register to receive a mini-myna trap and must sign an agreement that any birds caught will be euthanised according to RSPCA guidelines.
Indian Myna birds are an aggressive introduced species with the potential to wreak havoc on native Australian wildlife.
