Phalaborwa: SA Hunters Mopani Branch warns about Mynas
“Mynas are not tolerant towards other similar sized birds and pose a far bigger threat to our varied bird species than feral cats.”
Indian mynas, an invasive bird species, has to be combated.
The South African Hunter’s Mopani shooting branch is collaborating with organisations, including Nature Conservation, to put forward a plan to combat these invasive birds.
Indian mynas, an omnivorous open woodland bird with a strong territorial instinct, has become a major concern in Phalaborwa.
READ: Mopani hunters hosted another shooting day
According to Gavin Meridith, the branch vice-president, these birds are highly aggressive. He said that mynas will destroy native bird nests and eggs as they are stronger and more intelligent than most native species.
Meridith explained that mynas are adaptable and creative. “In essence, by the time South Africans realise that they only see Indian mynas in their neighborhoods, it will already be too late for native bird species.”
He also told the Phalaborwa Herald that part of the methods in reducing Indian mynas numbers in Phalaborwa would be to use a ‘Pee Gee Trap’. Plans to build the trap can be downloaded from the internet.
“We will trap the birds and the birds will be humanely disposed of by the relevant authorities,” he continued.
SA Hunters has urged all members of the public to join in with efforts to eradicate Indian mynas in Phalaborwa and conserve the native birdlife.
SA Hunters, Mopani, held a successful shooting day on Saturday,25 January.
Results are as follows:
HG07 VLAKVARK
1. Phillip Liebenberg
2. Jaco Swart
3. Tina Van Niekerk
SPRINGBOK
1. Ben Vorster
2. Rupert Goss
3. Phillip Liebenberg
HAND WEAPON (JAGHANDWAPEN) KAROO
1. Phillip Liebenberg
2. Deon Nieuwoudt
3. Karel Van Der Merwe
FISANT
1. Dian de Bruin
2. Phillip Liebenberg
3. Ettienne Maré & Gerrit Scheepers
Under 18 Randslag
1. Corne Neveling
2. Anton Marais & Walt van der Star
3. Christo Neveling
Under 13 PCP
1. Sone Fourie
2. Wikus de Bruin
3. Stefan Steyn
Under 9 Springer
1. Ricardo Cronje
2. Skyler Cronje
The next shooting day will be held on 8 February at the Phalaborwa shooting range where the following exercises will be shot: Bushveld (Zebra & BWB) Telescope (HG01) and open sights (HG02), Muzzleloader (HP01), Hunting handgun (HH04), Hunting handgun Savanna (HH02), Black Wildebeest (HG09), JNR’S – U/9 Springer (JA01), U/13 Rimfire (JB01-C) & 25m PCP Precision (SI01-A), and U/18 PCP (JC01-B).
Everyone is encouraged to attend and be a part of the branch.
