Two orange-bellied parrots dead after cat gets into aviary
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 23:46 
Captive Orange-bellied parrot. Image by dushy.k. A cat has breached an orange-bellied parrot captive breeding facility in Tasmania causing the death of two birds.
The parrots at the Taroona enclosure died last month after being startled by a predator, believed to be a cat.
Several holes were found in a perimeter fence and a cat was subsequently caught in a traps set at the facility, and removed.
It is believed a cat seen in the area got on the aviary's roof and startled the birds which then flew into a wall.
A vet confirmed the birds died from head trauma.
Tasmania's Environment Minister Brian Wightman told parliament it is an operational matter.
"I guess in my view that if there has been incursions into those areas that the department are well aware of that and will be taking every step to ensure it doesn't occur again," he said.
There are about 130 of the critically endangered birds at the Taroona facility, with just 50 left in the wild.
The property near Hobart is one of three major captive breeding facilities across Australia.
Staff have since modified procedures to prevent further incursions.