Protecting Local Wildlife from the Impact of Overabundant Raptors
We call for urgent action to address the growing imbalance of raptor populations, including peregrine falcons, square-tailed kites, sparrowhawks, goshawks, and other birds of prey, within our small city. While these raptors are important to the ecosystem, their increasing concentration in our city centre and surrounding areas is placing unsustainable pressure on local wildlife. They can kill up to 3-5 birds/native ground dwelling creatures, some already on the brink of extinction, everyday double this when breeding and feeding their chicks.
These birds are top predators with no natural enemies. As a result, their numbers continue to rise unchecked, with more breeding pairs establishing themselves and inhabiting our city each year. This extreme imbalance poses a serious threat it will devastate the very biodiversity we are trying to protect.
Small native birds, mammals, and other species are experiencing distress and rapid decline due to the intensified predation. Many of these species are already struggling for survival, with some teetering on the brink of extinction. The current situation not only threatens biodiversity but also disrupts the fragile ecological balance that is vital for a healthy natural environment.
We urge local authorities, conservation bodies, and wildlife experts to investigate and implement sustainable management strategies that:
Protect vulnerable native species from further decline.
Monitor and regulate raptor populations to prevent over-concentration.
Restore balance to the ecosystem through evidence-based conservation plplanning
Using OvoControl to control pigeons population rather than introducing and encourage breeding birds of prey in the city
This petition is not about harming raptors but about recognising the urgent need for balanced management. Involve wildlife sanctuaries/Adelaide zoo, or Kangaroo Island Birds - Raptor Domain (kangaroo Islands birds of Prey Sanctuary) - to take them in and house them safely away from the more vulnerable wildlife. By acting now, we can ensure that all species including raptors and the wildlife they prey and sadly kill everyday have a future in our community.
