The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources is continuing the eradication of myna birds, after the departure of myna bird expert Susana Cruz in August.
While here Ms. Cruz was successful in setting up a network of volunteers across the island to trap and kill myna birds which have helped themselves to fruits and crops and other birds and insects.
The myna bird expert from Canary islands was only here for one year and designed a myna bird trap which was distributed to her network of myna trappers.
DMWR Assistant Biologist Avele Lalogafu’afu’a has continued the myna bird eradication project.
Avele told KHJ News more than 5,000 birds have been trapped and put to sleep but some of the trappers failed to record the exact numbers.
From the 40 traps which were distributed only 20 are in active use.
DMWR has collected some of the traps which were out there because the volunteer trappers failed to follow guidelines for their use, especially documenting the number of birds they trap.
Most of the myna traps are on the west side of the island with the farthest placed in Afao.
Fewer are on the east side of the island.
Avele says a myna trapper in the village of Futiga has reported seeing fewer birds on his property and he has even sighted some native bird species which he hasn’t seen for a long time.
There are no new traps being made as DMWR is awaiting materials, to make new ones and repair ons which have been damaged.
Avele says they are making sure to collect accurate numbers of trapped mynas before they release a full report.
