I had a message from Alison Evans-Fragale this morning, regarding Bill S1768, which proposes to remove wild quaker parakeets from New Jersey's list of potentially dangerous species. See http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S2000/1768_I1.HTM

She wrote that the bill has passed in the State Assembly, with unanimous support. Later this month, it will go before the Senate Environmental Committee. For more info and updates, visit http://www.EdgewaterParrots.com

New Jersey is not the only state that should remove quakers - internationally protected under CITES - from its lists of pests.

One of the parties who apparently has come forward in support of the Edgewater quakers is Dr. Joanna Burger of Rutgers.

Fantastic! I hope a few more states will follow suit!

that is great news! Like Connie said, hoping a few more states will do the same.

where wil the quakers go once they are removed?

To the list of wonderfully COOL species that can teach us humans a thing or two????

thats so great. Wild quakers are very invasive birds and do compete for food, but since they're already there, why not make them legal? =)

They are not being 'removed' in the sense you are thinking. They are being removed from the illegal to own list. Which means that Quakers will be considered a 'legal' bird in New Jersey. Currently it is illegal to own Quakers in New Jersey.



Actually, they are not invasive at all. Studies have shown that having Quakers in an area does no harm to the existing animal population.

NJ really bites. I live in NJ. I did live up near edgewater and have been fighting this battle. The State is DUM. Get this If you own a parrot in NJ you need a permit. I just recived mine in the mail for Chachi-yes pionus he is a killer. They can't think of enough way to rape us.

Researchers also now saying that people might want to start looking at quakers as the new Carolina parakeet - which we humans caused to be extinct... Right?

(Permits are often intended to stop illegal trade; don't know if that is the case for that pionus. I (would) need permits to move my birds back to the continent and the sole purpose appears to be the animals' welfare: the permits basically say the birds are fit enough to travel, I think. Yep, it is a bit inconvenient for me, and I actually also first need to register my apartment as a idon'tknowwhat under some kind of regulation but...)

and what would a person do to get this type of bill started in other states where quakers are illegal? i.e., GA and or TN. Or ALL of the states, as I think it is ABSURD for this bird to be illegal to own anywhere!!!

yea! this is great news! I wish the rest would follow suit too...

Hopefully a lot more states like Ga, Tn, Pa. and others will follow....Amen --Amen..

but i dont think the states are just going to do it on their own....somebody needs to push the issue like they did in NJ. I am thinking about contacting that woman to see how they went about it, since we are moving next year.

Hooray!!! I guess I can understand the ban in Hawaii butit just idiotic in the other states.. I'd sure like to trade my Gray Bellied Conure in on a Quaker.
Nice and legal like..
Steve

Is that Grey Bellied Conure anything like the Grey COWLED Parakeet??

Looks kinda like this??Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

The similarities are astounding!!!
Steve

. I sure hope that someday soon that TN will follow suit. I hate species specific laws. Lets see what happens.

Great news.

Well I can tell you I highly doubt they are just going to decide to change it of their own accord (Wildlife and Fisheries). Someone is going to have to do the work to get a bill on the table!! I think I will do it...in either TN or GA, becuz I don't know which one yet we will live in. I am pushing for GA though!