Facing eradication in South Florida
The Purple Swamphen species was introduced to Florida in 1996-1998 near Pembroke Pines where it quickly spread. It was a non-native invasive species that competed with native wildlife, damaged wetland vegetation and threatened local ecosystems. It was introduced in Florida after an accidental release after widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
They were strong aggressive birds that dominated or displaced native North American rails, including native birds such as Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen.
It was targeted for eradication, and between October 2006 and December 2008, state agencies killed over 3,100 swamphens using shotguns from airboats in South Florida. Officials eventually stopped the active eradication program in late 2008 because complete elimination seemed impossible due to the birds hiding in thick marsh plants.
The Purple Swamphen is a fairly large old world species (L. 18 - 20")
So far this seems to be a story without an end.
Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder
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