Hand-feeding cockatoos at Dandenong Ranges tourist attraction to be banned

It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Dandenong Ranges but now those who want to join in the 20 year tradition of feeding cockatoos will risk hefty fines of up to $1610. Here’s why it’s been banned.

Visitors feeding cockatoos at one of the Dandenong Ranges most popular tourist attractions risk fines of up to $1610 if caught handfeeding after bans are imposed in six months time. Picture: Alex Coppel

Visitors caught feeding cockatoos at one of the Dandenong ­Ranges’ most popular tourist spots soon risk fines of up to $1610.

A ban on handfeeding the noisy pests will be imposed in six months.

Locals and businesses at Kallista and Sherbrooke have long complained over the mass flocks of wild sulphur-crested cockatoos drawn to Grant’s Picnic Ground in the national park, with property damage and other native bird species displaced, after a 20-year tradition of handfeeding the birds.

Up to 200 cockatoos can descend on the park at any one time and the picnic ground attracts about 750,000 visitors a year.

Visitors risk a hefty fine of $1610 if caught handfeeding the birds. Picture: Alex Coppel

An ominous warning at the popular site. Picture: Alex Coppel

Parks Victoria this week dismissed suggestion the cockatoo population could be culled if the feeding ban failed to disperse large numbers, but the local kiosk which sells seed and other supporters have a petition to keep the bird feeding allowed, which has attracted thousands of signatures.

“There is no cull planned for cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground,” a Parks Victoria spokeswoman said.

“We will be ramping up compliance and education activity at the site in the lead up to the bird feeding removal in February 2020.”

Locals and businesses at Kallista and Sherbrooke have long complained over the mass flocks. Picture: Alex Coppel

Parks Victoria this week dismissed suggestion the cockatoo population could be culled Picture: Alex Coppel

Parks Victoria said bird feeding at the picnic ground in Sherbrooke Forest has caused safety issues with an increase in aggressive behaviour among birds as they compete for feed and concerns over the environmental impacts of the flocks.

“Parks Victoria will be focusing on educating visitors to the site to help the transition away from this activity.”

Deputy Premier James Merlino, the local member for Monbulk, said the cockatoo problem was one of the most frequent issues raised by local constituents.

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”I have been regularly contacted by local residents about their frustration caused by cockatoos destroying property across our community,” Mr Merlino said.

“If we want to solve this issue, we need people to stop feeding the birds.

“The plan to cease feeding the birds by 2020 is a significant step forward.

“I am sure visitors will continue to head to the Dandenong Ranges to visit our many wonderful attractions including Puffing Billy, Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, Sherbrooke Falls.”