Just had to chase the neighbors cat away from a juvenile kookaburra that was on the ground in our yard. The cat has been on the other side of the fence waiting for its chance to finish the job.
We put the bird in a cardboard box to take to the local vet tomorrow.
Can anyone give me any good reason why cats are still allowed to roam free without consequence in this country?
Update: We were woken by cat noises again this morning. After a safe and quiet night in a box the fledgling kookaburra was released where it was found and after several attempts it managed to fly up onto a roof where it will at least be safe from ground based predators today. Multiple adults birds in the area this morning and some amazing bird calls.
No I haven’t but I think I understand the implication.
The bird had been attacked by a non-native species and was going to be killed by same non-native species tonight. I have no interest in domesticating wild animals or interfering in their lives. It would be illegal to do so in Australia and it requires a permit and a lot of expertise to look after a wild animal. There are serious penalties for doing the wrong thing. We rang a wildlife hotline to seek advice. The bird will be transported and surrendered to the closest vet as soon as they open in the morning.
I will be getting humane cat traps from the council as soon as I can.