Help The Quakers!

[Tammy]

"Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You
remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Quaker Parrots in Serious Trouble

(BRIDGEPORT, Conn.) With the blessing of the
Connecticut Audubon Society, United Illuminating Company is
killing off entire colonies of monk parakeets that have nested on more
than 100 utility poles.

Federal agriculture officials say the bright-green South American
natives are being captured at night and humanely killed with large
doses of carbon monoxide. The birds are considered an invasive
species, since they aren't Connecticut natives.

But the president of the Norwalk-based Friends of Animals calls it
the
sanctioned murder of intelligent avians. Priscilla Feral says
taxpayers and UI customers shouldn't have to pay the $125,000
tab.

The eradications began this week in West Haven and will continue
in
Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport and beyond What YOU can do to
help:

They've killed 47 so far. They'll be back to kill more tomorrow.

Please call these numbers. Please forward this message. It's not
too
late to save those remaining. This is a criminal act in process and
must be stopped.

Nathaniel Woodson, Chairman of the Board and CEO
nathaniel.woodson@uinet.com
Phone: 203 926-4637
Fax: 203-499-3286
The United Illuminating Company
UIL Holdings Corporation
157 Church Street
P.O. Box 1564
New Haven, CT 06506


Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Wildlife Division
Dale May
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
860-424-3011
dale.may@po.state.ct.us

USDA, Massachusetts/ Rhode Island/ Connecticut
Monty Chandler
463 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413)-253-2403


The Connecticut Audubon Society
Milan Bull
2325 Burr Street
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-259-6305, ext 113
mbull@ctaudubon.org

[Ian]

Why are they killing them off? Just because they are non native?

[tbone13]

Just to play somewhat of a devil's advocate... I live in the town next to Bridgeport and I remember when i was a little kid learning about how those parrots ended up in CT accidentally due to some sort of freak accident (shipping or something) and they've just continued to live here since then.

On the other hand I don't think they pose any problems to the local environment so I'm not sure why they'd be killing them. I would guess that they won't be able to get them all, but it's still a good cause to fight.

[Tammy]

The thing is, they are apparently catching them and then killing them, so why not just relocate them to a bird sanctuary or something like that? Im sure that there are many rescue organizations that would be more than willing to take them, but they just don't give a crap about that...

[tbone13]

If United Illuminating is doing it then they have to be causing some sort of a nuisance or interfering in some way that is costing the company/people money. But like you said, I'm not sure why they would capture and kill instead of releasing elsewhere. My only guess is that they tried it and the birds found their way/kept coming back. Which would make sense.

Anyway, I'll keep a lookout for any additional info I can find in the CT papers about what's going on.

[amoeba14]

I sent an article to Kara regarding this. I also live a town away from Bridgeport and this topic has been highly controversial. A decision was made very recently that allows the lighting company the right to dismantle the nests however the birds must be set free to build elsewhere. Come on down to Fairfield, you'll see tons of them. They build HUGE nests high in the trees and are very vocal. The sanctuary here has a number of rehabilitated birds on display for educational purposes.

Tim

[tbone13]

The more I read the more confused I am as to why they aren't relocating these animals. Actually, one of the names listed to contact, Milan Bull, he's the head of the CT Audobon Society, I grew up with his son and I'm thinking there must be a bigger issue if he agreed to the "humane killing." I'm not sure what it is, but from what I know of him he wouldn't just flat out agree to innocent slaughtering of any animals.

http://www.freeparrots.net/article.php?story=20051120100012962
http://www.brooklynparrots.com/2005/11/you-can-help-stop-killing-of-wild.html

p.s. you live in the town next Bridgeport too? We should hang out sometime.