Little corella trial — FAQs
Why were little corellas culled?
Large flocks of little corellas in Kingscote have caused significant impacts on infrastructure, vegetation and community wellbeing on Kangaroo Island and compete with native hollow nesting birds for tree hollows and other resources. The trial was undertaken to test whether a more effective and humane control method could reduce disruptive flock sizes.
How many birds were culled?
Across two summer seasons, 2,640 Little corellas were culled:
• 1,173 birds in 2024/25
• 1,467 birds in 2025/26
The maximum number removed during a single night was 485 birds.
Was the method humane?
Yes. All activities were conducted in accordance with the South Australian Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting (2025) and relevant provisions of the Firearms Act 2015.
Night-time shooting allows birds to be targeted while they are sedentary and roosting, reducing stress and disturbance compared with many traditional control methods.
Why is the Landscape Board doing this if it’s not responsible?
There is no single government organisation with lead responsibility for managing little Corellas.
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board is not the lead government agency for little corella management and is not legislated to undertake control activities.
However, in response to community concerns, the Board stepped in to trial and assess a potential management method to help inform future decision-making.
Why isn’t the council doing this?
Little corella management issues occur across many regions in South Australia and responsibilities vary between agencies depending on the situation.
The purpose of this trial was to generate evidence on what control methods may work, which can help inform future decisions by relevant agencies.
Will the culling continue?
No decision has been made about ongoing control activities.
The purpose of the trial was to test whether night-time roost site control could be an effective and humane way to reduce disruptive Little Corella flock sizes around Kingscote. The Board is currently reviewing the findings to better understand what level of effort and resources would be required to achieve the intended outcome of reducing impacts on the community.
The Board has resolved to investigate the resources required for any future control activities and will review its position in September 2026.
Why wait until September 2026?
September 2026 will coincide with the winter knockdown phase of the Dudley Peninsula Feral Cat Eradication Program.
The Board’s priority is ensuring this major biodiversity program is not compromised by competing operational demands.