A combination of water for the environment and wetter conditions had initially attracted nesting brolgas to Gaynor Swamp, but authorities say actions by vandals to release water from the swamp into a nearby creek saw the brolgas abandon their nests.
Vandals who released water from Gaynor Swamp near Corop into Cornella Creek may have caused brolgas to abandon their nest.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Authorities say they noticed earlier this month that someone tampered with a system regulator to release the water, leading to the abandonment of nests by breeding brolgas.
Parks Victoria ranger Neville Wells said it was devastating to find the empty nests after a concerted effort to attract the birds back to the swamp following a long absence.
“A Goulburn-Murray Water officer noticed the water level had dropped significantly and after further investigation found someone had tampered with a regulator,” Mr Wells said.
“The flap on the regulator had been unbolted and it had dropped into the water. It had clearly been a deliberate act.”
A delivery of environmental water into the wetland to coincide with wet conditions was initially successful in attracting the nesting brolgas.
But actions by vandals to release the water into the swamp’s creek system saw the birds abandon their nests.
“A couple of brolga nests have been abandoned and obviously with the water dropping, it allows predators such as foxes to get into the swamp because the water is not deep enough to keep them out.”
Mr Wells said the vandalism was a disgraceful attack on natural breeding cycles of waterbirds and warned, if caught, those responsible would be prosecuted.
“If we can prove who did it we will definitely be taking legal action against them. As an authorised officer I will seek the heaviest fine under the law.”
He said Victoria Police were investigating the incident and it had also been reported to the office of the Conservation Regulator and Game Management Authority Victoria.
“We will be taking a targeted approach in the area and increasing our patrols and surveillance to try and catch people doing the wrong thing.”
34°C