SA farmer accused of shooting protected birds that 'love almonds'
A society dedicated to protecting native birds has accused an almond grower of shooting birds on his property north of Adelaide, and he could face six months in jail.
Sarah King, the founder of Casper's Rescue, posted photos to Facebook of a number of lorikeets and galahs she found dead at Angle Vale.
Ms King also told the Adelaide Advertiser she found a Corella with a broken back, which had to be put down.
She claims Costa Almonds farmer Phillip Costa has been shooting them to protect his crops, and said she's found "about 100" dead birds in a week.
Mr Costa said he invited Ms King and other members of the group to his property to witness the damage lorikeets are doing to his almonds.
He said he hasn't been "out there just shooting birds" and that he's hired shooters to protect his crops, the newspaper reports, adding lorikeets "love almonds".
According to the South Australia Fauna Permits Unit, Mr Costa is legally allowed to shoot galahs and corellas without a permit, but lorikeets are a protected native species.
A SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources spokesperson confirmed with Yahoo7 that Mr Costa was being investigated, and could face six months' jail, "the maximum penalty", and a $2500 fine.
