Right to Information documents released by DPIPWE reveal number of crop protection permits for culling of native animals

The astonishing number of permits issued to kill native Tasmanian wildlife, including platypuses and wombats, since 2014 has been revealed.

MORE than 12,000 permits have been issued for the culling of native animals in Tasmania including galahs, green rosellas, wombats and platypuses since 2014, Right to Information documents show.

Released by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, the documents detail how many crop protection permits have been granted in each region of the state for 24 animals in the last 5 ½ years.

The documents show there were 12,005 permits in total granted, including 21 for galahs, 22 for green rosellas, 151 for wombats and six for platypuses.

A platypus in the Hobart Rivulet. Picture: ANNETTE TYSON

According to the DPIPWE website, the department cannot grant a permit unless satisfied the damage caused by the wildlife is “posing an unacceptable risk and it is required to prevent the destruction of, or injury to, any stock or plants caused by the wildlife specified in the permit.”

A permit can be issued to protect any plants or animals that are cultivated or used in a commercial activity.

In July, images of a wounded swan were brandished in state parliament as debate intensified about the culling of thousands of native black swans in Tasmania.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff held up pictures of a swan with a missing wing, taken by a concerned local resident watching the injured bird struggling to take flight at the Tamar Island Wetlands.

Number of crop protection permits issued since 2014:

Bennetts and rufous wallaby and brushtail possum — 8763

Black currawong — 17

Black swan — 331

Cape Barren goose — 197

Duck (various species) — 438

Common pheasant — 1

Forester kangaroo: 884

Galah — 21

Green rosella — 22

Gulls (various species) — 120

Masked lap wing (plover) — 46

Native hen — 282

Silver eye (bird) — 23

Sugar glider — 1

Sulphur crested cockatoo — 609

Yellow wattle bird — 1

Yellow tail black cockatoo — 10

Black faced cormorant — 5

Common wombat — 151

Eurasian coot — 4

Welcome swallow — 8

Noisy minor — 2

Platypus — 6

Juvenile mutton bird — 132

TOTAL — 12,005