Feral pigs killed to save rare parrot
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 4:50 
Golden-shouldered Parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius). image by TheGirlsNYRANGERS have killed 3,500 feral pigs to protect a threatened parrot that lives in a national park in Far North Queensland.
The feral pigs in the southern Cape York Peninsula's Staaten River National Park were damaging the habitat of the golden-shouldered parrot, Environment Minister Vicky Darling said today.
According to estimates, fewer than 2000 of the parrots remain in the wild in Australia.
The government's action was prompted by an increase in damage caused by the pigs to anthills where the parrots nest and grasses on which they rely, Ms Darling said.
"The pig control is required due to damage that could affect the parrots' breeding," she said in a statement.
"Feral pigs are declared pests and their activities can cause significant damage to the natural environment."
Research suggests that the parrot became endangered because of changes to "fire regimes", a statement from Ms Darling's office said.
Grazing, as well as damage caused by feral pigs and feral cats have also helped to reduce the bird population.