Isle of Dogs parakeet cull should end, say residents

Population of monkparakeets dropt from 77 to 31 in the five years of UK Government action costing £50,000 a year. Image by Cláudio TimmA Government department is continuing with a parakeet culling programme costing £50,000 a year, despite only catching one of the birds on the Isle of Dogs in the last 12 months.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is holding a monk parakeet "eradication exercise" as it believes the birds threatens other wildlife.

But Island residents who support the community of exotic birds say the parakeets are harmless.

The numbers of the South American immigrant have gone from 77 in the UK to 31 in the five years of Government action.

So far nearly £150,000 has been spent on the cull, which also targets west London and Borehamwood.

Campaigner Dr Christine Brock: "It is shocking that Defra is wasting taxpayers' money on such a pointless and futile exercise.

"It is not only causing the deaths of these wonderful parakeets, it is also harming other wild birds as they get caught in the traps."

Campaigners are also concerned that of the 10 monk parakeets caught in the last year, four died in captivity.

Defra had asked Tower Hamlets for permission to shoot the birds. However, the council rejected this and said they must be caught alive and have no dependent young.

In response to the campaigners, a spokesman for the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, which this year took over the operation on behalf of Defra, said: "Trained staff will use the most humane method appropriate. This will involve techniques such as trapping, shooting and nest removal. Birds will be re-homed whenever possible.

"With specific regard to the Isle of Dogs, one parakeet was captured last year with a view to being re-homed.

"Unfortunately the health of the bird began to deteriorate and the parakeet had to be humanely put down."