Cassowary proof pig trap
Hi All,
Following all the problems I have been having with pigs and Terrain’s refusal to supply me with a cage, this week we built our own pig cage. Right on cue a friend turned up from Giru who is an expert pig hunter, how lucky! He could not believe that the old, spring-door release mechanism was being used and with the approval of National Parks: especially in Cassowary Country. He quickly drew up a plan with an inward opening side-swing door. Pigs can push it open and keep coming into the cage but they can’t get out. He advised me to put a top on it as if we get a few pigs in the cage they could walk on top of each other to get out. The cage is made and set but since then, as luck would have , the pigs have disappeared. However as sure as eggs are eggs they will be back and I am waiting.
Following all the problems I have been having with pigs and Terrain’s refusal to supply me with a cage, this week we built our own pig cage. Right on cue a friend turned up from Giru who is an expert pig hunter, how lucky! He could not believe that the old, spring-door release mechanism was being used and with the approval of National Parks: especially in Cassowary Country. He quickly drew up a plan with an inward opening side-swing door. Pigs can push it open and keep coming into the cage but they can’t get out. He advised me to put a top on it as if we get a few pigs in the cage they could walk on top of each other to get out. The cage is made and set but since then, as luck would have , the pigs have disappeared. However as sure as eggs are eggs they will be back and I am waiting.
The beauty of this pig cage is that it should not catch a cassowary. Cassowaries would not be expected to push a door open as a pig will do. So if this is the cage design used in the Burdekin, with the special intention to avoid catching wildlife why isn’t it being used by Terrain in the World Heritage Wet Tropics. I spoke to a National Park Ranger from the Burdekin and he firmly stated that the spring loaded door trap was not permitted to be used in his area. So what is going on here! Have we lost a magnificent cassowary at Garners Beach, in terrible circumstances, because it was more cost effective to use out of date cages? I would like to put a few people, (no names) in a pig cage out in the full sun for a day.
Mourilyan Cassie
Received an email and photos of a cassowary at Mourilyan from Roger Gobel. On first look at the pictures I was sure it was Coquette Point’s Jessie but tonight when I closely compared the markings they are different birds. Jessie’s wattle is longer on the right hand side and she has a distinct brown spot on the right hand side of her casque. However both birds have very large casques bent to the right on a similar angle and both birds appear to be about the same age and from the length of the wattles and height of the casque both females.
Jessie
I saw Jessie Monday lunch time she was walking up the range beside the road her feathers were shiny and she looked in good condition.
Since I have varied the filling time for the cassowary feed stations I have seen the subadults return to the feed stations regularly. In just one week they are looking healthier. Dad 4 and his chicks are still getting a feed every day
Since I have varied the filling time for the cassowary feed stations I have seen the subadults return to the feed stations regularly. In just one week they are looking healthier. Dad 4 and his chicks are still getting a feed every day
but they now are extending their hunting range and I saw them out on the front beach on Tuesday. Must go for a walk around the front next week to see if the soldier crabs are back.
We were shifting some bricks in the nursery and found two native bee hives in the cavities. I have also noticed a hive in old borer holes in an Alexandra palm and another in cracks in the cement of the old shed. Perhaps their homes fell down in Yasi and they are taking advantage of any odd space.
Cheers for now,
Yvonne C.
We were shifting some bricks in the nursery and found two native bee hives in the cavities. I have also noticed a hive in old borer holes in an Alexandra palm and another in cracks in the cement of the old shed. Perhaps their homes fell down in Yasi and they are taking advantage of any odd space.
Cheers for now,
Yvonne C.
