Exotic Birds in Australia

Astrobird said:
Quote "they are still there, at a town called Northam, where there are about 80 birds. I'll add it on to the list as being found in the wild. "

The Mute swans at Northam are very closely managed by the local council and a volunteer group, and could hardly be considered as wild. Several pairs are kept in fenced off pens in the park beside the Avon River, and a few live "free" on the river, although I would doubt there is many more than 20 at the most. They have declined in recent years due to inbreeding, human disturbance and old age. There are photos of some of them in the gallery Australian Wildlife.
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Only 7 Mute swans remain in WA, with only 1 breeding pair. Probably not long before they disappear now
 
JessKimber said:
Sorry for a very ignorant question - why is quarantine not an option? Especially considering long-lifespans of many bird species, would a lengthy quarantine period not be possible?
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There is no real reason to stop birds being imported. Restrictions were put in place on biosecurity grounds from agriculture, money speaks. The reality is any majour biosecurity concern for birds is nullified by the billions of birds that arrive or pass by on migration every year.

Poultry farming is especially cautious here, if you own birds you can't work at one. Or at least that's how it used to be. They got the ban enacted they won't let quarantine ruin it.

It's like the current bird flu outbreak of H5N1. So far it hasn't been detected, it very much is most likely here and so far has not impacted our bird or fauna populations like we suspected. It was in extremely virulent and in extremely high numbers in migrating birds in populations where some of ours come from. Distance isnt a factor either as Macquarie island has been hit. Not only do we share some of the migration birds that go there, they usually stop along the way or mix with birds that come here.
 
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