May 2012. Wildlife officers from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are investigating reports that a number of Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) have been shot and killed recently in the Yea area. Senior DSE Wildlife Officer, Gary Dash, said DSE has received a number of calls from concerned local residents who have heard about the alleged shootings.
"It concerns us greatly that it appears that a number of Eagles have been shot and killed illegally in recent weeks," Mr Dash said. "DSE is taking this matter extremely seriously and is seeking the assistance of the local community to provide us with additional details."
Australia's largest bird of prey
Wedge-tailed Eagles are Australia's largest bird of prey and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. They can grow to 100cm in height and have a wing-span of 2.5m. Eagles eat predominately live prey, including rabbits and hares. Other food sources include lizards, birds and mammals.
Wedge-tailed Eagles are Australia's largest bird of prey and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. They can grow to 100cm in height and have a wing-span of 2.5m. Eagles eat predominately live prey, including rabbits and hares. Other food sources include lizards, birds and mammals.
Mr Dash said Eagles at times, depending on other food sources, may prey on young lambs, however this was not a legitimate excuse for shooting or trapping them.
Residents who have information about the alleged shootings are urged to contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. They can choose to remain anonymous if they wish.
It's not the first time DSE has investigated allegations of destroying protected wildlife in the north east region. In 2005 a Euroa man was fined more than $3000 and costs for illegally trapping and starving to death two Wedge-tailed Eagles at a Strathbogie property. The man claimed he trapped the birds so that they didn't attack his new-born lambs.
And last year, DSE investigated the death of a Wedge-tailed Eagle on private property near Violet Town after it was found with a serrated jawed rabbit trap around its leg. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations serrated jawed traps, which were once used to hunt rabbits, are now prohibited.
The legal smooth, padded jawed traps can only be used on rural private land and are not to be used on Crown Land. Large fines and imprisonment can apply to people who illegally kill or injure protected wildlife.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wedge-tailed-shooting.html
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