Shooters may get the bird themselves

Illegal entry by people from Kieta (Bougainville) into the Shortland Islands in the Solomons is causing grave concern. The Oema Island bird sanctuary in the Fauro group appears to be the attraction —not to admire the birds but to kill and steal them.

The Shortland Islanders are very angry because they have left the birds alone for many years, yet they claim the sanctuary is now nearly devoid of birds because outsiders have more or less wiped them out.

Visitors to the island have reported finding many spent shotgun shells.

A Korovou customs official recently managed to apprehend a speedboat full of Europeans and warn them off. The matter is being raised in Governing Council by the member for the area Mr. Remisio Eresi, who is hoping to get a fast speedboat to enable Korovou police and customs officers to patrol the waters.