A BARWON Heads animal sanctuary boss fears
"bird nappers" are pinching rare breeds from across Geelong.
Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary
director Tehree Gordon said she had about 20 calls from worried residents since
Christmas.
In Belmont, a pet shop owner said he had noticed
an increase in bird theft with some of his customers having birds stolen from
their homes.
Family Pet and Aquarium's Darren Dwyer said he
advised people to exercise caution when selling birds privately.
"Put the bird in a cage and bring it into
the house," he said. "Don't let people see your aviary. They are
coming back at night and stealing them. It's easy money.
"They're mongrels, the thieves."
Mrs Gordon said her own sanctuary was now upping
its security and she warned others to do the same.
"Three people in the last week have come to
us saying their birds have gone missing from areas including Moolap, Leopold
and Herne Hill," Mrs Gordon said.
"Our concern is there may be some type of
parrot napper operating in Geelong and selling these birds on the black market.
"We've ramped up our security here, with
more CCTV cameras and guard dogs to protect our birds, and I would recommend
others secure their birds as well."
Mrs Gordon said the Department of Sustainability
and Environment had also been notified.
Birds that have been reported missing included
eclectus parrots, sun conyas and alexandrine parrots, she said. "When a
bird arrives here now that's obviously been a pet it will be handed to DSE and
people who collect birds will need to present photo ID so an investigation can
take place if you try to claim something that doesn't belong to you," she
said.
A DSE spokesman said the department dealt with
the possession of native wildlife without a valid licence and the illegal
possession of imported wildlife.
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