BIRD rescuers have called for “more humane” corella control practices after more than 50 were found dead via suspected poisoning and shooting at Angle Vale.

From Saturday last week, dozens of the little corellas – which were identified as an “overabundant species” in a State Parliament inquiry last year – were discovered sick and injured around Angle Vale.

Local bird welfare group Casper’s Bird Rescue attended the area in an attempt to save some of the birds, however more than 50 had already died.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is conducting its own investigation into how the birds were killed, but Casper’s Bird Rescue founder Sarah King believed some were poisoned, while others had been shot.

“It’s still going on. We’re still getting birds coming in – some have survived, others not,” she said.

“I can’t prove it, but to us it’s a deliberate act which happens every year.

“My green bin is almost full of carcases, so is a carers in Paralowie. At a rough guess it’s well more than 50 dead.

“I have nine recovering here and the other carer has two which we can still hopefully save.”

In July last year, more than 60 little corellas were found dead at One Tree Hill Primary School after they were poisoned by a common pesticide.

Ms King said rescuers expect similar incidents every year, as little corella flocks migrate to new areas.

“We spend so much time trying to find ways to deter them (little corellas) from coming in (to populated areas),” she said.

“We’ve put that to farmers and the department. They don’t want to hear it.

“It’s hard knowing that this is coming every year and that the same cruelty is being done without anything happening about it.”

The State Government last year began public consultation on a new strategy to control little corella populations, which are known to eat crops and damage golf courses while foraging.

Last year’s parliamentary inquiry into “overabundant” species such as little corellas revealed Light Regional Council and Barossa Council spend around $15,000 and $20,000 per year respectively on population control and repairing damage caused by the birds.

Ms King said while she understood the damage little corellas cause to farmers and other businesses, there are “more humane” ways to deal with the problem.

“We do understand it’s their livelihood, but poison is not the way to go,” she said.

“You’re meant to hire people who can actually shoot, according to the code of conduct on the (environment) department website, so you get a clean shot.

“You also need to shoot during the times allocated and clean up your mess and make sure the birds are deceased with one shot.

“Our role at Casper’s is to clean up the mess which shouldn’t be made anyway. We have no rights to enforce laws or prosecute.

“We’re not there to cause trouble, we’re there simply for the wildlife.”