The Indian Myna, a species of bird introduced to Australia to control pests, now has a price on its head in the Childers area.
Bundaberg Regional Council has resolved to implement an initiative put forward by its Land Protection Team to establish a bounty of $2 per head for each live Indian Myna captured.
Council’s Environment & Natural Resources portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Danny Rowleson, said the Indian Myna is among the world’s 100 worst invasive bird species.
Cr Rowleson said that the Indian Myna became established in the Childers area after being introduced in the early 1900s to control the cane beetle, which was ravaging cane crops. The initial birds were imported from Cairns and quickly colonised the Doolbi area to become a major pest.
Despite Council initiating control programs in 2009, many Indian Mynas remain and Council is now turning to the public to seek support in further reducing their numbers.
Cr Rowleson said council officers believed around 600 Indian Mynas still existed in the Childers area.
He said that the birds must be caught alive and handed to Council’s Land Protection Officer in Childers to collect the bounty.
“We do not wish to see any inhumane treatment of birdlife or see native birds captured or killed.”
Cr Rowleson said that trapping had proved most effective and that captured Indian Mynas would be humanely euthenised.
