Hunting the Seychelles

04 October 2015, 13:13

P-A Åhlén

quote:
Originally posted by fujotupu:
A very interesting and eye-opening report on how to eradicate a pestilential species of bird.

Given your position within the establishment (IUCN), it could be another opportunity for you by assisting the Tanzanian government in getting rid of the Indian Crow which some cretin, thinking it was a great idea to introduce to the island of Zanzibar to clean up the garbage years ago, gave no second thoughts to the damage and destruction this bird could achieve.

Our native African Pied Crow and Kites are almost non-existent along the coastal belt, no thanks to the dedicated annihilation of their eggs and young by the ever destructive Indian Crow.

All other forms of bird life have also been drastically affected and various attempts (traps and poisoned bait) by the local authorities in ridding themselves of this unwelcome guest have proved futile.

Food for thought?

Yes, the problems involved with the Indian Crow is well known. And yes, it was a really bad idea to introduce it (as often).

Everything is possible, but the costs for eradications increases with the size of the area. Zanzibar island is quite big and the money for the eradication work has to come from somewhere, usually from the national authorities. Zanzibar is also quite close to the mainland, new invading crows will most probably move in during time. Then it would need an established protocol to early detect and kill them. But again, money is the single most important parameter for success...

04 October 2015, 16:36

fujotupu

quote:
Zanzibar is also quite close to the mainland, new invading crows will most probably move in during time.

Ya gotta be kidding! ... crow flying time to the nearest headland probably 20 mins. and they have been permanent residents on the mainland coastal belt for at least 20 years if not more.

Statistics suggest there are probably more crows on Zanzibar today than there are inhabitants, who number around 1 million.

04 October 2015, 17:45

P-A Åhlén

quote:
Originally posted by fujotupu:
quote:
Zanzibar is also quite close to the mainland, new invading crows will most probably move in during time.

Ya gotta be kidding! ... crow flying time to the nearest headland probably 20 mins. and they have been permanent residents on the mainland coastal belt for at least 20 years if not more.

Statistics suggest there are probably more crows on Zanzibar today than there are inhabitants, who number around 1 million.

Sorry, I don´t understand your comment, do you think that they can not fly for 20 minutes?

04 October 2015, 20:40

fujotupu

quote:
Sorry, I don´t understand your comment, do you think that they can not fly for 20 minutes?

A crow (esp. the Indian) is a resilient bird and would probably fly into oblivion if it wanted to.

It could be capable of completing the journey from Z/Bar to TZ in 20 min or less if it has a good tail-wind.

04 October 2015, 21:38

P-A Åhlén

quote:
Originally posted by fujotupu:
[QUOTE]Sorry, I don´t understand your comment, do you think that they can not fly for 20 minutes?

[/QUOTE

Good, then we are on the same page. If a eradication is made on Zanzibar the protocol for early detection and control of new invading birds would be of uttermost importance.

11 October 2015, 07:10

Steve416

quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
Fascinating and very interesting indeed. Thanks for taking the time to post a report about your work. Well done on getting the family to join you in that beautiful place.

11 October 2015, 22:59

TWL

Very interesting, indeed! Thank you for taking the time to post this report.

12 October 2015, 00:15

juanpozzi

My friend i can work as you asistant ,me and Bjorie

.Im jealous of your work .
P-Ahlen is not only a biologist ,hes a well known professional hunter,owner o ww.nordikpredator.se the Best predator callers in th world ,and an international hunter .His hunting dvds are a must see for any hunter that wants to visit Sweden .

16 October 2015, 12:46

Bockhunter

...interesting story!

24 October 2015, 11:49

Andy Buchanan. Film Africa

Nice work. those are horrible birds.

01 November 2015, 02:32

SBT

Fascinating.

01 November 2015, 02:56

lavaca

Fujo,

We can't eradicate the Indian crow by ourselves, but it can be done. It's all about salesmanship. If we can convince the Chinese that Indian crow beaks, balls, spleens, or any other body part are an aphrodisiac, the crows are history.

01 November 2015, 07:35

fujotupu

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
Fujo,

We can't eradicate the Indian crow by ourselves, but it can be done. It's all about salesmanship. If we can convince the Chinese that Indian crow beaks, balls, spleens, or any other body part are an aphrodisiac, the crows are history.

Unfortunately the crows win - their flesh must be toxic as no other animal, not even their own kind will feed off their carcasses and they are known to eat anything and everything.

01 November 2015, 08:10

Saeed

Fantastic report, and most interesting to read.

I do not like myna birds one little bit - we have them here in Dubai, and they are a bloody menace!

I shoot them all the time, and our crocs love them!

Have been to the Seychelles many times, and love the place, especially for its bird life.

I remember talking to the people there and they do not like these invasions at all.

02 November 2015, 02:25

P-A Åhlén

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Fantastic report, and most interesting to read.

I do not like myna birds one little bit - we have them here in Dubai, and they are a bloody menace!

I shoot them all the time, and our crocs love them!

Have been to the Seychelles many times, and love the place, especially for its bird life.

I remember talking to the people there and they do not like these invasions at all.

Thank you Saeed,

On my way home from the Seychelles I had some hours in the Dubai airport. Much to my surprise I found that mynas are living inside the airport, special kind of birds this...

I am really looking forward to do this work again when North Island (also in the Seychelles) are ready for myna eradication.

02 November 2015, 14:27

P-A Åhlén

quote:
Originally posted by juanpozzi:
My friend i can work as you asistant ,me and Bjorie .Im jealous of your work .
P-Ahlen is not only a biologist ,hes a well known professional hunter,owner o ww.nordikpredator.se the Best predator callers in th world ,and an international hunter .His hunting dvds are a must see for any hunter that wants to visit Sweden .

Juan, in that case would your wife come along and cook for us?