PEST CONTROL : RED BILLED QUELEAS

1ST FEBRUARY 2010 :

Today we were informed and briefed about the Red Billed Queleas. We were told that they are indeed a pest to mankind. They feed on farmers crops and cause a lot of damage. This costs lots of money and it results in leaving people in starvation.


These birds travel all around the world. They are a big pest especially in poor countries. These birds function in groups and it was found that a flock can be counted up to over a million. The amount of damages these birds cause are huge. This is because it doesn't only effect the farmers themselves but also the people. We need to feed from the crops and we can't do so if there is nothing to feed from. That is why there is a law against these birds, they overpopulate and cause us damage. Africa is a poor country and we need to prevent is from becoming more poor. This is why we need to dispose of these birds. There is a law that states that it is compulsory to execute these birds, if you are required to do so.


There are different methods of disposing of these birds. Method 1: poisoning them, method 2: shooting them and method 3: bombing them out. We were forced to use method 1, why? Because the flock that was found was to large to dispose in any other way. We were told that the flock that was located was approximately 2 to 2.5 million birds. So method one was our only option. The organisation that's apart of this execution is the department of agriculture.


The Queleas lay approximately 5 eggs and it takes 40 days to hatched. These birds change colour according to seasons. They are normally the same colour, but when the breeding season comes the males change colour. They start to get red beaks and is becomes more attractive than the females. They fly round according to seasons and rainfall. Once breeding time is over and the babies are a certain age, the parents abandon there babies. These babies then live in the nests and after a while they start climbing out and live on the branches. Only when they start getting hungry, they will fall onto the ground in groups and start feeding off of the earth. This carries on until they are fully grown.


As I've said before, they travel and feed in groups. And if their a colony of 2million birds, they will wipe out your crop. They feed on approximately on 4 to 8 tons of crop a day. The method we used to kill the birds was inhuman. WHY? Because they die a slow and pain full death, the poison used attacks your red blood sells. The Poisson is called falcullen.


A large colony was traced across Sondela. The department of agriculture came to inspect the area and to be familiar with there were abouts. Their colony was spread across 46 hectares. So they patrolled the area to see what other animals live in this area. WHY? They were going to Poisson these birds and needed to know whether there are any non target species in the area. This is very important to know. The biggest hazard that we were trying to prevent was our birds of prey.


Stephan was the leader of this mission. He patrolled the area before any steps were taken. After they had established how big the area was, they had boundaries were the aeroplane needed to spray the Poisson. Without the boundaries they would spray everywhere and put every animal in danger. This is very important to do. The boundaries were marked with flares. These flares were cans that were stuck on droppers. These cans had petrol and and a cloth inside. This was necessary, so that the pilot can see the markers clearly and know exactly were to spray. These were put up approximately 3 hours before the aeroplane had arrived.


While these flare were put up, we walked through the premises to Chase away any non target species. This mission was planned very carefully. There was a fire fighter on standby for when the veld might catch fire. First aid was also carried along for any injuries that may occur. After clearing out the field we stood beside the area and waited for the plane to come. The plane came eventually and did what it was suppose to do. After the area was sprayed, a few gun shots were fired. WHY? So that the Queleas that were in the nests can come out into the poison field. This is just so its more effective.



MY PERSPECTIVES:

NEGATIVE:

• Feel that it's inhumane.
  
• The poison makes the little birds suffer it's really mean.
• It kills them very slowly.
• It may harm other non target animals.

POSITIVE:

• We are helping not only the farmers but also people feeding off of the crops.
• We are executing unwanted species and destroyers of the earth.

NEXT DAY: 2ND FEBRUARY

Today we woke up at 3:00 in the morning to go see what progress we made and if our mission succeeded. We went to the site at 5:00 in the morning. WHY? So that we could be there before any predators that would want to feed on the birds. This is to prevent the animals from getting poisoned. We needed to be there so that we can chase all non target animals out of the area yet again. While chasing these animals away, workers from the department of agriculture picked up the dead or yet still alive Queleas. This is important else other animals will feed off of these birds and then also be poisoned and die. So picking up the dead and still alive birds are very important.


While walking around, picking up dead birds, scaring non target animals out of the area, we were also on the look out for other animals that might have been poisoned as well. We did find a dead owl, a still alive but poisoned owl (which is being treated at the wildlife centre now), a snake which we think is not poisoned (but is also being taken care of) and a cattle eagrid. These animals are being taken care of. We did get the antidote before spraying the fields for in case, so these animals will recover soon.



WHAT I'VE LEARNED :

I now know a lot more about the Quelea birds. I'm more informed of how they function and what happens during mating seasons, what happens top the babies ect. I've also learned that following the correct procedure is most important of all. Planning is also very important, without any planning the mission wouldn't have been achieved. Also wouldn't have been successful and would have failed. Having a firefighter on standby is important for when the veld might catch a fire. Having first aid is important for when someone gets hurt. I've learned to always be prepared for the unexpected, always have a back up plan...