The deliberate felling of the one remaining Swift Parrot nesting tree in the Snow Hill forest logging area where defenders were arrested last week has been described as ‘wanton, official vandalism’ by Bob Brown.
Bob Brown Foundation today released photographs showing the tree was cut down after the arrests and left on the ground. “This shows just how bloody-minded Forestry Tasmania and the Rockliff government is about destroying vital habitat of the critically-endangered Swift Parrot,” foundation campaigner Erik Hayward said.
With photos of the destroyed tree, the foundation pointed to numerous nesting sites for the rare parrots which were destroyed in the process. Swift Parrots landed in the tree while it was occupied by a defender last week. “This is flagrant ecocide. As the nesting sites for the bird disappear so do its chances of survival,” foundation campaigner Erik Hayward said.
“We are concerned that logging in these forests is illegal. Logging needs to cease in all Swift Parrot habitat. We are losing habitat for a critically endangered species in this coupe right now, while the birds are in there. Logging in this forest is for 95% woodchips and it needs to end,” Erik Hayward said.