Gradual progress in eradicating Cape Town's house crows

Eradication of Cape Town's house crow infestation is slowly making progress, with the R7 million project well into its third month.

Louis Stafford, the city's invasive alien species co-ordinator, said the multi-million project was a seven-year programme.

At the last mass count in November 2008, the city's house crow population was estimated at about 10 000.

The communities worst affected included Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Rondebosch East, Epping and Monte Vista.

She said that after the breeding season from October to December last year, there were clear signs that the estimated number of crows had increased. From the data collected and tests done, "they appear to be breeding quite successfully".

The house crows are known to be communal roosters, meaning that they congregate to spend the night in groups. The crows choose mainly blue gum trees, and after the city trimmed their main roosting site in a Nyanga blue gum, they formed smaller roosts in various areas.

Our current actions include finding these satellite roosts, monitoring nest sites and monitoring the number of roosts," said Stafford.

She confirmed that in December last year they began testing the substance and dosage of the bait to be used, and whether these were suitable for local conditions. They were testing avicide, which must be thoroughly tested before its use is approved.

The selective avicide affected only specific birds, such as crows.

"There is no secondary effect if a dog, cat or any other animal were to eat the carcass. Nothing would happen to them," said Stafford.

The product was also not lethal to humans.

Cape Argus

Posted at 08:21AM Feb 12, 2010 by Editor in Residential  |  Comments[2]