Not Happy!

[Lauren]

Yesterday I went to a popular picnic area up in the near mountains. When I was younger my dad used to take me there to feed the wild birds. Which are now very tame. I dont agree with feeding wild birds but these birds now (thanx to bad tourism) rely on people to feed them. Im not bagging Australian Tourism.. Im a tourism student.

Anyway, There 'used' to be thousands of rosellas, cockys, galahs, king parrots.. BUT..

I was appalled to see busloads of tourists feeding them ONLY sunflower seeds!! A cocky came right up to me as I was sitting on the park benches, looked at me and refused to eat 'my' bird food as I did NOT have sunflower seeds!!
I think its just sad watching these tourists holding out handfulls of sunflower seeds. Dont they know how bad it is? There is signs around the park saying 'Please dont feed the birds sunflower seeds!'

Sorry about my winge. But this is just not right!

[Mikaela]

That is major NOT COOL.

That is as stupid as not regarding the signs here: Dont feed the alligators!

In America, you regard signage or go to jail/stiff fines. Our system loves to take our money and in some ways (this is an example), it doesnt bother me.

I see stupid people everywhere.

[Lauren]

I dont know if there is a fine for feeding them sunflowers seeds, but Im guessing not because the kiosk/cafe there sells the damn seeds.
There should be a guide there educating people about parrots. Or just ban feeding them!
I remember this place as a child being very quiet and a great place to go bush walking but now theyve built a cafe there and run bus tours. Sad.

[CatsChair]

Do they sell the seed to feed the birds or for people? Lots of spots in the US have (horribly overpriced) dispensers for the food for whatever wildlife you are there to enjoy. Would be a great fundraiser for a wildlife non profit organization and if it was "pitched" correctly, I don't see how the authorities could disagree?

[Bird crazy]

Wow Catschair what a great solution.

Chick call your local bird club and suggest it too them.

They may go for it and the people at the cafe will hate them and you
for taking some of their income.

but hey for the birds sake it would be worth it.

[Lauren]

Thats a fantastic idea! Ill have to find a bird club around Melbourne. Dont know any around.

The cafe sells seed for the tourists to feed the birds. Bad Bad Bad!

[Peanut]

here in minnesota, we really don't have signs not to feed animals other than bears. and you sure do find out quickly why they posted that sign! and that is a really great idea for the birds.

[CatsChair]

May also be able to find a corporate sponsor(s) to get the project off the ground -- try manufacturers, pet food chains, etc. If you promise to put their name somewhere (you will have to think through the "rules" before you start) you can raise a lot of "small" money from local businesses or affiliates of big chains.

[Lauren]

Great ideas chickies! Ill keep them in mind. I should also call the National Parks and Wildlife people. I know there is strick laws in the Northern Territory on feeding wild animals. I used to work in Ayers Rock (Uluru). But I dont know what the laws here in Vic are.

Bears? We dont have bears here, well apart from cute Koalas, hundreds of which have lost their homes and lives in the bush fires. I dont understand arsenists! It would be insane to feed one of your bears though!