NOT IMPRESSED: A groundsman at the Gunnedah Golf Course repairs the damage believed to be done by some local corellas. Photo: Peter Lorimer, Namoi Valley Independent
ARMIDALE’S corella killer is still believed to be at large after poisoning and killing up to 250 of the birds nearly two weeks ago.
Now an Armidale couple, who wish to remain anonymous, have offered a $200 award to find those responsible.
Armidale Dumaresq Council had reported hundreds of deaths of the native white parrots across the city on January 8 and soon suspected that poisoned seed mix was to blame.
Samples of seed mix were found at various locations, including four central parks.
A smaller number of other bird deaths were also reported, including galahs and crested pigeons.
The Environment Protection Authority and police began investigating the supposedly deliberate poisoning deaths.
Police door knocked homes in the areas where poison was found and questioned residents.
The Armidale couple are appealing for information that could lead to a conviction of the corella killer or killers.
They live in Kirkwood St and put up the $200 reward after discovering smaller flocks of the birds, as well as magpies, larks, galahs and parrots, frequented their area.
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, native birds are protected and it is against the law to harm them.
Gunnedah’s golf course has also run into a spot of trouble with some local corellas.
Rather than dying, as was the case in Armidale, the birds are believed to be behind a fair amount of damage to the golfing green.
Spots of the putting grass have been ripped up by the birds and golfers are outraged.
Corellas are known to flock by the thousand and have presented a few problems for North West towns before.
A couple of years ago, Armidale residents complained that the birds were tearing some of the town’s electricity poles’ wires apart.
Narrabri residents had complained the birds were even chewing off bits of bitumen on the roads.
In 2011, a Victorian council reportedly sought to cull the birds, after experiencing similar problems.