Combatting the illegal shooting of Baudin's cockatoos
Southwest Western Australia is a productive apple and pear-growing region. Unfortunately Baudin's cockatoos also have a taste for fruit and can cause significant damage to crops. Sadly, some orchardists see illegal shooting as the only way to protect their produce.
Exclusion netting is, in fact, the most effective way to protect fruit crops from bird damage and has the added benefit of providing protection from hail, frost and sunburn. While up-front costs are higher than other methods, field tests of netting have demonstrated improved yields and reduced water use. The netting can pay for itself in a relatively short time.