Native birds seized from Shaw’s park
Native birds have been seized from a controversial Hamilton bird park because the owner didn’t have a permit to care for them.
Shaw’s Bird Park opened in Peacocke in 2018 and owner Murray Shaw said it often received injured and rescued birds and ‘‘we get them flying in the cages’’.
But the Department of Conservation said there were concerns about the birds’ welfare and, despite ‘‘trying for some time to work with Mr Shaw’’, he hadn’t obtained the necessary permits.
And another bird rescuer said it was unethical to keep native birds caged.
Eleven birds – five ruru (morepork), three karure (black robin) and three tū ı¯ – were removed from basic aviary cages in the bird park last Wednesday morning.
They were the main attraction at the free-to-visit centre, and that would affect visitor numbers, Shaw said.
‘‘This is what the council wants because they want to put a road right through here.’’
They have long been fighting Hamilton City Council over plans for a road going through part of the seven-hectare site.
But the council has said the road’s future site was consulted on and set in 2014 – before the bird park was set up.
Bulldozers and roadworks
were at the front gate last Wednesday, but Shaw had no plans for the other birds’ future, saying ‘‘I don’t know what will happen.’’
Shaw said the sanctuary often took in injured and rescued birds, feeding them mice, ox hearts and the like and getting them flying inside cages.
One baby ruru had been bitten by a dog and Shaw had to clip one of its ‘‘smashed’’ wings, but it had grown into a friendly, tame bird.
‘‘Most people had not seen a ruru, let alone have one sit on their hands.
‘‘It was just amazing to see the children looking at their eyes, but it’s gone, and they’re going to euthanise him because he can’t fly.’’
Shaw said he had tried applying for a permit but it cost $400 and had other conditions – including work on cages – the centre couldn’t meet.
He also said he had tried for a non-commercial permit, for ‘‘educational purposes’’. The DOC website says most noncommercial applications are processed free of charge because they benefit conservation.
A supporter at the site said council ‘‘should be working with’’ the couple, and paying them a grant to look after the birds.
But DOC said it ‘‘has been trying for some time to work with Mr Shaw to ensure he has the relevant Wildlife Act permits’’.
‘‘Repeated efforts over an extended period of time . . . have not been successful,’’ national compliance manager John Wallwork said.
Investigation into the matter was ongoing.
The bird park was visited because of concerns about the birds’ welfare, he said.
The 11 seized native birds were transferred to a facility outside the Waikato. At the bird park they had been in basic aviary cages, and Shaw did not have the right accreditation, Wallwork said.
He urged people to contact DOC directly to discuss any plans for keeping NZ wildlife.
Avian Wildlife Rehabilitation Trust’s Bill Smith said it was unethical to keep wild birds in cages.
‘‘They’re not used to being close to people . . . so to put them in there is certainly not a good thing for the animal for a start.’’
Smith, who has held a wildlife rehabilitation permit for more than 20 years, was also worried it could create ‘‘a market’’ for people to see native birds in cages, which he found ‘‘appalling’’.
‘‘Native birds have to be released into the wild,’’ he said. ‘‘If they are not able to fly or feed for themselves, then they need to be euthanised.
‘‘The only other way would be a breeding programme, if there is any or to a zoo or to somebody who has a permit to hold those protected animals.’’