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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Parakeet 'threat' to native birds | Parakeet 'threat' to native birds |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The rapid growth of the parakeet population may pose a threat to other birds, authorities have said. | The rapid growth of the parakeet population may pose a threat to other birds, authorities have said. |
| There are about 30,000 of the bright green rose-ringed parakeets in London, with more in Surrey and Kent, and their numbers could reach 50,000 by 2010. | |
| Increasing flocks will compete with native birds, such as woodpeckers and robins, for food and nesting space. | Increasing flocks will compete with native birds, such as woodpeckers and robins, for food and nesting space. |
| The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said it had not ruled out a cull as a "last resort". | The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said it had not ruled out a cull as a "last resort". |
| The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned a study into the parakeet threat. | The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned a study into the parakeet threat. |
| We do see a cull as a last resort, something only to be considered if a native species were to be under threat RSPB spokesman Why do parakeets thrive here? | We do see a cull as a last resort, something only to be considered if a native species were to be under threat RSPB spokesman Why do parakeets thrive here? |
| RSPB spokesman Tim Webb said: "People are starting to have concerns about the numbers. | RSPB spokesman Tim Webb said: "People are starting to have concerns about the numbers. |
| "We are not sure what sort of numbers they would have to grow to before becoming a problem but we are aware that they are growing. | "We are not sure what sort of numbers they would have to grow to before becoming a problem but we are aware that they are growing. |
| "We do see a cull as a last resort, something only to be considered if a native species were to be under threat." | "We do see a cull as a last resort, something only to be considered if a native species were to be under threat." |
| The RSPB has said that there is a single roost of 6,000 birds in Esher, Surrey. | The RSPB has said that there is a single roost of 6,000 birds in Esher, Surrey. |
| Natural England, the licensing body for bird culls, said they would usually be killed by shooting, or possibly trapping. | Natural England, the licensing body for bird culls, said they would usually be killed by shooting, or possibly trapping. |
| Originally from India, the rose-ringed parakeet has been in Britain for decades, although it is unclear how it was first introduced. | Originally from India, the rose-ringed parakeet has been in Britain for decades, although it is unclear how it was first introduced. |