Contract out on corellas
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has given Castle Hill Country Club permission to kill native corellas which have been damaging its greens.
Club chief executive officer Stuart Fraser said the small white parrots have played havoc for years on the course.
A member, who wished to remain anonymous, said staff told him that about 250 were shot last week.
A national parks spokeswoman said that figure was “highly exaggerated” and that “only several” were shot to scare away the flock.
The player said the shooting had scared off kookaburras.
“It is quite sad and I am annoyed, ” he said.
“I can understand if it was [Indian] mynahs, because they are causing so many problems.
“There has been control of foxes and rabbits in the past, I can understand that, but these are native.”
The parks service spokeswoman said the club had a permit and was working within guidelines.
“All native birds are protected and we don’t want to see any birds harmed unnecessarily,” she said.
“People need to present to us a good cause to have a permit to shoot native birds.
“By shooting only several birds, the others get spooked and leave the area for up to 12 months.
“All permits are regulated.”
Mr Fraser said the permit had strict conditions and the shooting was carried out professionally by an external contractor registered with the parks service.
“Whenever a reduction of the number of corellas is needed, local police are informed prior to any control measures taking place,” he said.