Released yesterday afternoon, the report acknowledges the threat of Indian Myna’s to ACT’s native species, but stops short of recommending a proactive management program for this pest.
(Image: Indian Myna: https://animalia.bio/common-myna)
This report has been prepared following a petition with over 2000 signatures and a public inquiry with 55 submissions, which overwhelmingly support the need for Government action.
“Global research has shown that the proliferation of the Common (or Indian) Myna can have devastating impacts on native birds,” said Simon Copland, Director of the Conservation Council ACT.
“Yet, despite declaring it a pest species in June 2021, the ACT Government has failed to engage with the local community to control this pest species in the ACT,” Copland continued. “We have been told this is because the Indian Myna is not currently impacting threatened species, but we do not think this is a good approach. Management of Common Mynas needs to consider impacts to all native birds and animals, not just impacts to species that are listed as threatened species.”
The Conservation Council notes that to date Indian Myna control has been exclusively undertaken by the community on private property, even though these birds also live and proliferate on public land. The government therefore has a role to play. It is essential that the ACT Government establishes a framework in cooperation with community, to once and for all to control Indian Mynas in the ACT.
“Observations by the community both in the ACT and elsewhere in Australia have shown the Indian Mynas gradually displace many native birds, but when mynas are removed, the natives return,” Copland says. “There are many places along the Eastern Seaboard bereft of native birds because of the impact of Indian Mynas and we do not want this to happen in the ACT.”
“The Conservation Council ACT and CIMAG, therefore, urge the Government to develop a proactive management plan to reduce and control Indian Myna populations across the Territory.”
Other jurisdictions, predominately local councils, provide financial and other support to community based Indian Myna control programs, but the ACT Government does not.
“The ACT Government needs to work with the community to develop a management plan which includes, but is not limited to:
- the trapping of mynas on government-controlled land, including the deployment of traps suitable for catching large numbers of mynas.
- a public education program to inform the community about what action is available at the household level, and;
- the investigation of requirements or incentives for commercial and public buildings to include exclusion barriers to exclude Common Mynas nesting in roof cavities.”
“We also believe there needs to be enhanced data collection and research on this issue, alongside support for community groups who are undertaking this work. However, any such research should not be an excuse to kick the can down the road on taking action now. We know from experience that community members are concerned about the spread of Indian Myna and are willing to participate in management programs. The Government needs to be harnessing this energy.”
Copland concluded by saying:
“We are glad the ACT Legislative Assembly has responded to the large community demand for action on this issue through this inquiry and report. However, we believe more needs to be done to tackle this issue before it becomes too late.”