Friday, February 14, 2025

Melville declared ‘owl friendly’ city

City of Melville Council has declared the City as ‘owl friendly’ at its October Ordinary Meeting of Council, adopting principles and practices to protect local feathered friends.

The Council has taken steps to protect owls and other native predators by no longer providing second generation rodenticide treatments for the community, as these often kill more than just the intended rats and mice, including any bird or animal which may consume a poisoned rodent, it said in a statement.

Council has also already required its pest operator contractors to use first generation rodenticide treatments.

“The City of Melville recognises the important role that owls play in our environment and by becoming owl friendly, we’re helping to protect a key part of our local ecosystem,” said Mayor, Katy Mair.

“Our priority is to protect and enhance our natural environment, and by adopting owl friendly principles and practices, we’re not only looking after owls but birds and pets as well.”

The Mayor said Council’s decision solidifies the City’s efforts to protect owls, with staff to be educated on owl-friendly practices with information direct from BirdLife Australia.

The Council said it will advocate via the WA Local Government Association to the State Government to phase out second generation rodenticides and has already included information on its website from BirdLife Australia about bird-friendly rodent control for gardeners, pet-friendly rodent control and managing rodents without second generation anticoagulant rodenticides.

“The City will also play an important role in informing the community and local businesses about owl friendly practices and safer choices for rodent control,” said Mayor Mair.

“I encourage the community to adopt owl friendly practices when managing rodents to help protect our environment.”

The City of Melville joins fellow local governments Augusta-Margaret River, Denmark, Nannup, Mundaring, Bayswater, Cockburn, Fremantle and East Fremantle who have made declarations to be owl friendly.

To learn more about alternative control options, visit: actforbirds.org/ratpoison.

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