Ferran PestañaRare parakeets have been shot on publically owned land with the permission of Hertsmere Borough Council, it has been revealed.
A report by the Government’s environmental agency (Defra), obtained through a Freedom of Information request last week, says two birds were hit with a shotgun at Allum Lane Spinney and Parkfields in June.
The South American monk parakeet is subject to an eradication programme, because it is believed to pose a risk to agriculture and electrical infrastructure.
However, local campaigners Simon Richardson and Christine Brock, fighting to protect a population found in Borehamwood, strongly contend the evidence for eradication and are angry to learn Hertsmere Borough Council has supported shooting.
Mr Richardson said: “I am very angry that the council have given permission to shoot parakeets with live ammunition on public parkland.
“It’s exceedingly disappointing to learn that this shooting on public parkland in Borehamwood could have been prevented had our local council witheld permission.
“The question that we need to answer is was this just a decision by a council officer or were the elected members aware of it.
“If the elected members were aware of it then I think the 1800 local residents who have signed a petition calling for the eradication programme to end, need to know about it.
“If the decision was taken solely by a council officer in the parks department, then it’s all the more shocking that he has the authority to do this and allow live ammunition to be shot in a public park.
“Even if it was within his authority, surely he has to report such things to the executive. We need to know who knew what and when.”
The Defra report says the two birds shot in February were not killed, due to unsuccessful experimental copper-shot cartridges. It states the two birds were “hit but without the pellets penetrating”.
Mr Richardson added: “The incompetence of the shooting, which clearly maimed and injured birds, makes a mockery of Defra’s previous assurances that humane methods would always be used. There has surely been animal cruelty involved.”
Speaking to a number of Hertsmere Borough Councillors, it appears they did not know of the shooting.
An executive meeting will be held this Wednesday evening to discuss the possibility of rescinding permission.
Campaigners Christine Brock and Simon Richardson also handed in a copy of their petition to Downing Street this Saturday.