This goshawk seen behind the bars of its enclosure. Photo: Shari Griinke/Qld Govt
A south Brisbane resident has been fined $1612 for the illegal confinement of a brown goshawk on his property.
Last month, the Queensland Environment Department said it was tipped off by the public about a wild bird illegally confined at Marsden.
Wildlife rangers visited the property and found a brown goshawk that been illegally held in the enclosure for up to three days, the department says.
Senior ranger Shari Griinke said rangers released the bird within 2.5km of the address.
“The person who lives at the address admitted to capturing raptors at least three times because he believed they had been harassing his homing pigeons and chickens,” Griinke says.
“The person was planning on taking the captured goshawk to bushland west of Brisbane where it would be released it into the wild.”
She says it is illegal to take or keep native animals from the wild without a (correct) permit.
“People needing protection for their poultry or other pets should contact a licenced bird catcher,” she says.
The man was fined twice under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 totalling $1612 for illegally taking the bird from the wild and for keeping it in an enclosure.
Click here for more information about permits required to keep native animals or the removal of native animals.
NOOSA CROC REPORTS
Meanwhile, rangers investigating social media reports of a crocodile sighting at Noosa Spit found no evidence it was ever there.
Two searches were held last week, prompted by a fisher’s report of possible crocodile images on a boat’s depth-sounder.
The reported sighting has been picked by mainstream media outlets and generated plenty of debate.
While the investigation is ongoing, people are asked to be vigilant around the water.
The department says Noosa is not considered to be crocodile habitat and any animal found there will be removed.
Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report, or by calling 1300 130 372.
The department says it investigates every crocodile sighting report it receives.
